Achieving The IDEAL Bare Metal Look

[partsguy]

Hello all...I want to strip it all off and show what's underneath...underneath the paint that is, get your minds out of the gutter!

As I finish up the Silver Rat, I think I should say that I was inspired to change my ideas on this very slow build after watching ZZ Top's 2012 music video for "I Gotsta Get Paid" (I was counting down the minutes for it's debut). The frame, fenders, seat post, fork, and bars on my bike will retain their original chrome (patina in included, though polished). I am going to strip my rack, chain gaurd, and tank down to bare metal and leave them that way. I want the finish to look exact, if not as close as possible, to the finish on the Rat Rods in ZZ Top's video.

At some point, I would like to learn how to pinstripe and add a black "ZZ" logo to the tank and gaurd with "Silver Rat" on the gaurd.

But for now, I want to achieve the bare metal/brushed finish. How can I best do this?


Here's the video:

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

I think you can get that 'ball peen' finish from media blasting, not sandblasting. Someone chime in.....

 

[partsguy]

So I guess the typical sandpaper and arm power or stripper won't do? Maybe one of these methods and some kind of wire wheel?

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

My bad, yes, it can be achieved by hand. Just takes time.......

 

[JaxRhapsody]

Stripping down to nothing and a good hand job...sounds good to me.

 

[partsguy]

If I do it by hand, what would be the best way?

I'm thinking, start with a very coarse wire brush and a drill to rough up the surface and than move to 100 grit sandpaper, then 150, 200, etc and going in a back and forth motion. finally finishing with 300 grit sandpaper. I don't think I sould go too fine since I want a "brushed" look like on the Rat Rod cars in the link. Am I right here?

 

[Mike G]

"If I do it by hand, what would be the best way?"
Watch that video again!

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Yep, that plan will work partsguy. If you can find Emory paper, it's easier to use on curved areas like cantilever bars, chainstays and seatstays. You can rip it in a long narrow piece and run it back and forth.

Then, all you need in clearcoat
Post some pics as you go.
Cheers,
Dr. T

 

[JaxRhapsody]

Or if you never intend tonpaint it, boiled linseed oil or wd-30 will coat it fine