In case you weren't following this build, we have had a lot of enlightenment about the Schwinn Sting-Ray, it's origins, configurations, and charm. This is my first attempt at bringing new life to an old, semi-original bicycle. The owner wanted to retain the stickers which had emotional ties, and didn't want it to look 'brand new'.
So, this would not be a true 'restoration' as it goes. But rather, a 'recondition'...bringing the bike back to a cleaner, tighter, brighter version of itself. With parts from the late '60 s , and some elbow grease and mechanical work, the bike was coming to life.
Last night I tackled the most dicey part of the build; the paint. After cleaning the frame, fork, and chain guard and de-rusting the surface, I taped off all the non-painted parts and the stickers. Then on the recommendation of
@Chad T, I ordered up some touch up paint in the appropriate color.
Now here's where I divert to my own techniques. I love my spray can of paint. I got the spray version of the Chrysler paint, and proceeded to do a VERY light coat from my 'stand back and spray the air' method. The following pics are the result.
I gotta say, I am extremely pleased! For you guys wondering how well the paint matched, here's a shot of the fork steer tube (not faded because it spends it's life hidden from the sun) and the fork legs:
I didn't prime or extra coat the chips and scratches. Still wanted that vintage look, but fresher, brighter.
And then the stickers. I used the 3M blue paint tape, and meticulously trimmed it around the stickers to make them look like they were added on later.
