Monday, November 22, 2021

Cleaning Brightwork - Aluminum and Chromed Parts for 1964 Schwinn Traveler

Cold weather has arrived and will be here for a day or two yet. So that means indoor time cleaning and prepping parts for the 1964 Schwinn Traveler project. 

The parts on this Traveler are surprisingly nice and original. The red dot Weinmann brake levers polished up very bright, and the the stem and handlebars came out great. 

 

I use a copper bristle brush or bronze wool to remove light surface rust, along with a dose of WD-40 or similar rust remover. I then clean with acetone, and follow-up with polishing using Simichrome polish. I then take another acetone rag and remove the polish residue. 


 

The result is clean and shiny bright parts. Schwinn used quality chrome plating in this period, and the Weinmann alloy parts are in good shape (and lightweight to boot).


 


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