Found Bike...

sdcjoyce · 03-04-2010, 09:07 PM

Some time ago I saw my neighbor riding on a bike that didn't look like it belonged to him. I inquired about it, and then only saw the bike from a distance a few times over about 6 months. I inquired about it again the other day, and ended up talking him into letting me have it. He never rode it, and he knows that I do.

Attached are two pictures. The first is a picture as it is now, in my garage. The second is a picture of what I think it is (2001 Trek 1000). So here are my thoughts/questions... It looks to me like someone (I am not officially accusing my neighbor) spray-painted the bike black. The only plausible explanation in my mind for doing this would be because the bike was stolen, and the thief wanted to disguise it.

1. Is there a way to safely remove this spray-paint without damaging the rest of the bike, or the original paint scheme?
2. Do you have any idea whose bike this might be?

I might take it by Ian's place to have him take a look at it, but I thought I would start here. Let me know if you have any ideas.

Thanks friends...Derek

Squirrel · 03-05-2010, 07:54 PM

derek, i think that you can not safely remove the paint as far as i know... im sure you could get somone to repaint it like original though

-Devil- · 03-06-2010, 09:09 AM

they may have also spraypainted it because they were using it as a commuter and wanted to hide that it was a quality peice ...

as for safely removing the paint that would depend on what it was painted with ... it can be done .. but will likely damage any decals that are on there.... you can use 'goo gone' and a 'mr clean sponge' .. and a lot of elbow grease ... but it works ...

CharlieVman · 03-06-2010, 08:48 PM

I'd start with some paint thinner, and mix it with water to a 10% thinner 90% water ratio. Try to rub the spray paint in a non=vital area, maybe bottom of the frame down low. If no luck, increase to 20/80. The paint that is baked onto the frame is much more durable than the sprayed on stuff I would think. Good luck with it.

CV

MikeCordell · 03-06-2010, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieVman

I'd start with some paint thinner, and mix it with water to a 10% thinner 90% water ratio. Try to rub the spray paint in a non=vital area, maybe bottom of the frame down low. If no luck, increase to 20/80. The paint that is baked onto the frame is much more durable than the sprayed on stuff I would think. Good luck with it.

CV

This man speaks the truth. I also agree with the spray painted stolen bike idea. But where did your neighbor come across it?

Scooter2468 · 03-07-2010, 12:09 AM

There's a really good chance that the bike was just beat all to he.. and the owner at the time didn't feel like spending any money on it. Not so much lately, but back in the day when everyone rode steel bikes, I knew quite a few guys that bought beater bikes and painted 'em w/ Krylon right out of the cans. Did it myself, once.

As for how to get it off without hurting what's underneath, probably can't. But, if you want it off and don't want to spend many man-hours on it, find someone who does auto painting or maybe a commercial powdercoating operation, and have it bead blasted. Not sand blasted, bead blasted, and make sure they know not to just wail away on it 'cause they could blast a hole in the tubes. Shouldn't cost much at all.

-Devil- · 03-07-2010, 12:14 AM

Goo Gone is already watered down paint thinner .. made for simple stuff but not harm the actual paint ... it is just alittle weaker then the cans of graffiti remover you can get in the store which will likely do the job to.

sdcjoyce · 03-08-2010, 09:43 AM

Paint thinner. Goo-Gone. Bead Blasting. Elbow grease...thanks for the suggestions. I will give them a try.

As for where my neighbor came across it--I have no idea. I just saw him on it one day when I was coming back from a ride. Unfortunately, this is the neighborhood where I found Russ Walker's bike in a ditch one day back in September, so anything is possible. Some of the kids in my neighborhood have made some poor choices in their lives, but I have developed good relationships with them, so most of them trust/respect me a bit.

Thanks again for the help.

Derek

Squirrel · 03-08-2010, 08:00 PM

good luck derek

03-05-2010, 07:54 PM	#2
Squirrel Spanky Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: shreveport, La Posts: 974	derek, i think that you can not safely remove the paint as far as i know... im sure you could get somone to repaint it like original though __________________ considering titanium arms

03-08-2010, 09:43 AM	#8
sdcjoyce Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Shreveport Posts: 32	Paint thinner. Goo-Gone. Bead Blasting. Elbow grease...thanks for the suggestions. I will give them a try. As for where my neighbor came across it--I have no idea. I just saw him on it one day when I was coming back from a ride. Unfortunately, this is the neighborhood where I found Russ Walker's bike in a ditch one day back in September, so anything is possible. Some of the kids in my neighborhood have made some poor choices in their lives, but I have developed good relationships with them, so most of them trust/respect me a bit. Thanks again for the help. Derek __________________ LOVE. GROW. SERVE.

03-08-2010, 08:00 PM	#9
Squirrel Spanky Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: shreveport, La Posts: 974	good luck derek __________________ considering titanium arms

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03-06-2010, 09:09 AM	#3
-Devil- hops h8r, hah! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: West Monroe, LA Posts: 861	they may have also spraypainted it because they were using it as a commuter and wanted to hide that it was a quality peice ... as for safely removing the paint that would depend on what it was painted with ... it can be done .. but will likely damage any decals that are on there.... you can use 'goo gone' and a 'mr clean sponge' .. and a lot of elbow grease ... but it works ...

03-06-2010, 08:48 PM	#4
CharlieVman Beer Man! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 1,386	I'd start with some paint thinner, and mix it with water to a 10% thinner 90% water ratio. Try to rub the spray paint in a non=vital area, maybe bottom of the frame down low. If no luck, increase to 20/80. The paint that is baked onto the frame is much more durable than the sprayed on stuff I would think. Good luck with it. CV

03-07-2010, 12:09 AM	#6
Scooter2468 Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 425	There's a really good chance that the bike was just beat all to he.. and the owner at the time didn't feel like spending any money on it. Not so much lately, but back in the day when everyone rode steel bikes, I knew quite a few guys that bought beater bikes and painted 'em w/ Krylon right out of the cans. Did it myself, once. As for how to get it off without hurting what's underneath, probably can't. But, if you want it off and don't want to spend many man-hours on it, find someone who does auto painting or maybe a commercial powdercoating operation, and have it bead blasted. Not sand blasted, bead blasted, and make sure they know not to just wail away on it 'cause they could blast a hole in the tubes. Shouldn't cost much at all.

03-07-2010, 12:14 AM	#7
-Devil- hops h8r, hah! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: West Monroe, LA Posts: 861	Goo Gone is already watered down paint thinner .. made for simple stuff but not harm the actual paint ... it is just alittle weaker then the cans of graffiti remover you can get in the store which will likely do the job to.

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