Polished Giant AC

[Fleming]

So this is the hub and we love pictures. Thought you might like to see what I spent my weekend doing.

 

I ride a fairly old Giant AC. I got the frame from a mate for a good deal but never really liked the color. I always liked polished aluminium bikes and decided to try this finish on my AC.

 

This is what the bike looked like before I started:

 

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/P6050114.jpg

 

Stripped Frame:

 

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/PC170928.jpg

 

Getting messy with the paint stripper:

 

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/PC170929.jpg

 

Stripped and Polished:

 

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/PC170934.jpg

 

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/PC170933.jpg

 

Assembled Frame:

 

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/PC170939.jpg

 

Semi Assembled Bike:

 

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/PC170943.jpg

 

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/PC170942.jpg

 

All in all I am really happy with the way it turned out. Still need to finish reassembling it and get some new decals cut. Probably only going to get the decals done next year. I suspect the signage places have shut down for the holidays.

[Zac.A]

nice might want to try and get that link polished too

[Guest Omega Man]

Very very nice.

 

It's also nice to see just how versatile the Giant AC is. I had one that was set up pretty much as a DH bike with a coil shock on the rear and a boxxer on the front.

[Klint Powasol]

Esh that looks really nice! Patients for sure, great end result.

[Grebel]

That looks really nice! What did you use to get the shine and did you seal it afterwards?

[Meezo]

Getting messy with the paint stripper:

 

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/PC170929.jpg

 

Discovery medical aid card... was that part of the stripping process?

[Slowbee]

would be keen to hear if you sealed the frame or not

[Fleming]

Thanks for the complements guys.

 

nice might want to try and get that link polished too

 

Thought about it but the link matches the fork, bars, seat post etc so I think it looks good in black.

 

Very very nice.It's also nice to see just how versatile the Giant AC is. I had one that was set up pretty much as a DH bike with a coil shock on the rear and a boxxer on the front.

 

It probably is one of the most versatile bikes ever built.

 

That looks really nice! What did you use to get the shine and did you seal it afterwards?

 

Frame was pretty shiny straight after stripping but used some rubbing compound to improve the shine and then polished it with car wax to seal it.

 

Discovery medical aid card... was that part of the stripping process?

 

The card was used as a scrapper to scrape the paint off the frame. The plastic scrapes well but is soft enough to not scratch the frame. Its my wifes old card from before we were married so was destined for the bin anyway.

[gummibear]

That looks great!!

[Grebel]

Discovery medical aid card... was that part of the stripping process?

 

One point in your life when Discovery Medical Aid is actually useful...

[LazyTrailRider]

Nice work Stu!

 

Be prepared to attack it with a bit of Silvo/Brasso every couple of months, polished uncoated Alu tends to accumulate a bit of oxidation (correct me if I'm technically wrong) after a while. My bike needs a bit of attention every once in a while to keep it Silver Surfer shiny.

Edited December 19, 2011 by Martin Hattingh

[Klint Powasol]

Nice work Stu!

 

Be prepared to attack it with a bit of Silvo/Brasso every couple of months, polished uncoated Alu tends to accumulate a bit of oxidation (correct me if I'm technically wrong) after a while. My bike needs a bit of attention every once in a while to keep it Silver Surfer shiny.

Spot on!! Try using AluBright, be careful though its hates everything thats not Aluminium. Use it with a cloth, dab and wipe. May make your hands a little dry so use gloves if you have sensitive skin. Polish with Silvo, mmmmm giving me ideas for my Giant ATX 29ner.

[The Drongo]

VERY NICE!

 

Bomb proof piece of equipment, that !

[Fleming]

Complete bike. Sorry about the poor quality. Camera batteries were flat so used my cell phone. Will take some better ones tonight.

 

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/stuartfleming/2011-12-20211817.jpg

[Bat-ass]

Did you manage to get all the paint out between the little nooks and cranies, like the cable stops?? you giving me big ideas here!!!

[Bat-ass]

would it not be a good idea to get a panelbeater to give it a coat of clear lacquer??