Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the new April's Giveaway for a Chance to Win the Euybike S4 Pro Max ebike worth $1299


Schwinn Varsity Newbie Restoration
#1
Hello, I want to get started fixing up a 1973 Schwinn Varsity basically for the heck of it. Thought fun to use on pub nite rides. Very much a newbie. Was planning on taking apart and cleaning. Would like to repaint frame. This is not going to be a collectors item. A place near me will strip the paint and powder coat. Concerned about decals. Can I just use vinyle peal and stick or is that a bad idea? Thanks in advance.
  Reply
#2
(08-21-2012, 03:23 PM)dochoot Wrote:  Hello, I want to get started fixing up a 1973 Schwinn Varsity basically for the heck of it. Thought fun to use on pub nite rides. Very much a newbie. Was planning on taking apart and cleaning. Would like to repaint frame. This is not going to be a collectors item. A place near me will strip the paint and powder coat. Concerned about decals. Can I just use vinyle peal and stick or is that a bad idea? Thanks in advance.

Carefully consider the cost of a qualitystrip or sandblast and powdercoat of the bike's frame and whether there is any underlying value to the bike and its mission to justify the cost. In my city I hear $200 to $300 for what is probably mediocre quality. You should be able to find decals on ebay, eventually. Clear coat over them.
  Reply
#3
Make sure that you plug/mask all the critical holes and surfaces. It is VERY VERY difficult clean out powder coat from surfaces that must be bare. Many a bike restorer has had to either give up on making the frame into a bike or spent 2½X planned amount on strippin the brand new powder coat off, properly plugging and masking and re-powder coating. Use a shop that has satisified bike customers for powder coating, they are worth the extra $$.
Nigel
  Reply
#4
Thanks for tips. Will check to see how experienced they are.
  Reply
#5
[attachment=3442]test post pic
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
4,984
10-30-2020, 02:07 PM
Last Post: Jesper
 
7,415
08-20-2016, 01:27 AM
Last Post: adman2001
 
13,821
12-31-2015, 12:36 PM
Last Post: GeorgeET
 
13,646
01-06-2013, 01:50 PM
Last Post: JoeFaz
 
23,978
08-21-2012, 06:58 PM
Last Post: Bill
 
24,603
06-05-2011, 01:33 PM
Last Post: Half a Load
 
13,188
05-01-2011, 11:16 PM
Last Post: Myosmith
 
8,946
04-11-2011, 11:29 AM
Last Post: cyclerUK

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Front derailer not moving
Today 12:03 PM
What are the best cost effective ways to...
Today 11:53 AM
Tour of Luzon 70 years of Filipino Cycli...
Today 01:22 AM
RECOMMENDATION
Today 01:04 AM
Injury Recovery
Yesterday 07:33 PM
Good morning form Alberta CA
Yesterday 09:40 AM
Unlocking speed on my e-bike.
04-27-2025 01:04 PM
MTB handlebar width
04-27-2025 06:25 AM
What is your favorite MTB trail/route in...
04-27-2025 06:16 AM
Bridgestone Blouson bike.
04-26-2025 07:57 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. GirishH
22 posts
no avatar 2. enkei
16 posts
no avatar 3. meamoantonio
15 posts
no avatar 4. Flowrider
15 posts
no avatar 5. Painkiller
12 posts