Best way to clean up gt rts1frame

[Magpiegifts]

I've just started to clean up my rts1frame and there is black marks, weathering/oxidization on the tubes. Should of said that it looks like a polished aluminium frame.

Have scrubbed and cleaned with hot soapy water,then gently cleaned with lemon juice. Which helped a little. But I'm seeking advice on the next step.
What is the best way of removing slight pitting/oxidization marks. Which aluminium cleaners have you used if any?
To be fair it's in ok condition for the age, but I really want to make the frame look better before I start my build.

Thanks guys....

 

[Retro Spud]

Since Barry Scott and Cillit Bang isn’t an option I think you need the help of Peachy to banish that Patina


I’ll give him a shout

 

[Peachy!]

You rang mu-lord?


First things first.... photos please

 

[Magpiegifts]

Nice one guys.il get it out of the shed in z morning

 

[ishaw]

Re:

I'm fortunate to own a team RTS that I bought nos to replace the RTS-2 I had owned from new that cracked around the bb mount.

As it was nos, I've not had to worry so much about cleaning, it being a garage queen, that said I have had other rts and alloy frames in need of some love.

I've always used a good car soap to get things relatively clean, toothbrush for nooks, crannies and welds. If dirt is hard to shift, a citrus degreaser helps a lot.

The bring back the shine, it depends on the frame finish/damage. Peek or autosol for a more abrasive polish, brasso afterwards or if the finish is already good.

After that give it a good quality coat of car wax (or 3), buff and it should stay shiny and clean for a good while, especially if you don't use it much like me. Give it a wash and wax every now and again, before it gets too grimy and you won't have to repeat the more invasive cleaning ever again.

Be careful around the decals, the abrasive polish can ruin them.

The shiny rts frame is a beauty to behold imho.

 

[Retro Spud]

Re: Re:

A shiny RTS frame is a beauty to behold imho.

RTS 1&2 are by far the nicest and best looking of all GT’s ever built
They just look right !

 

[ishaw]

Re:

Agree, for a bike with rear bounce, they manage to still look like a bike, a very nice one.

Now that we have flat bar gravel bikes, short travel versions can't be far behind. Retro full suss.

 

[Magpiegifts]

Re:

Sorry,not the best pics I know -rubbish camera on this tablet!

Strange how part of the rear triangle has stayed in decent condition when the rest of the frame has suffered.

You guys are very knowledgeable, so what is the exact difference between ball burnished alu frame and polished frame?

Like I said, any advice will be greatly appreciated. I'm determined to restore her to her former beauty!!!

 

[Magpiegifts]

Re:

Some better pics of too tube after another clean. Finally removed stubborn make on tt.

 

[boxxer]

Thats a 2 or 3 Not a 1 or Team, the curved end of the top tube gives it away

The decals are wrong