Last summer I scored an old Vitus 12 speed at a garage sale for 3 dollars - it had been outside for a while but I think the components are in good shape - mostly Shimano 105stuff.
I think it's a 787 - although I have no idea how someone would use something like this for cyclocross - it seems pretty fragile. It has the groove under the top tube - and a funny looking triangle box type deal in the rear above the brakes. Unfortunaley there is nothing on the frame that says what specifically it is.
However there was a catch - much of the frame had been painted in polka dots - I guess the guy used it for parades or something.
Anyway I'd like to get it ready this winter as use it this spring for training - I'm uncertain as to how to approach repainting the frame.
Question 1 - What's the best way to take off the existing paint? It's all aluminum - I'm afraid if I use sandpaper I'm going to score the metal. Is there a synthetic sandpaper specifically for soft metals? Any other ideas?
Question 2 - If I paint it myself what kind of paint should I use for aluminum? Including what type of primer.
Question 3 - I'm thinking of just taking all the paint off and leaving the metal - if so do I need to put on any coating (like a clear) at all?
Thanks - I might have more questions as I continue the project.
Some more info:
Frame says: Modele Vitus Depose, Brevete Vitus-CLB, Made in France, A040139
I think it's a 787 - although I have no idea how someone would use something like this for cyclocross - it seems pretty fragile. It has the groove under the top tube - and a funny looking triangle box type deal in the rear above the brakes. Unfortunaley there is nothing on the frame that says what specifically it is.
However there was a catch - much of the frame had been painted in polka dots - I guess the guy used it for parades or something.
Anyway I'd like to get it ready this winter as use it this spring for training - I'm uncertain as to how to approach repainting the frame.
Question 1 - What's the best way to take off the existing paint? It's all aluminum - I'm afraid if I use sandpaper I'm going to score the metal. Is there a synthetic sandpaper specifically for soft metals? Any other ideas?
Question 2 - If I paint it myself what kind of paint should I use for aluminum? Including what type of primer.
Question 3 - I'm thinking of just taking all the paint off and leaving the metal - if so do I need to put on any coating (like a clear) at all?
Thanks - I might have more questions as I continue the project.
Some more info:
Frame says: Modele Vitus Depose, Brevete Vitus-CLB, Made in France, A040139