Chrome Cleaning on a Schwinn Stingray

* All chrome parts were polished right after each treatment.
On this episode of Good Time Bikes I clean all the chrome on my 66 Schwinn Stingray. I also remove rust from my frame and use touch up paint to fill in the bare spot. This is the fourth episode in a series of my Stingray restoration. Enjoy and don’t forget to subscribe and ring the bell to see this old Stingray ride once again!
Part 1: Restoring 1966 Schwinn Stingray Deluxe
• Restoring 1966 Schwinn...
Part 2: How to Recover a Schwinn Banana Seat
• How to Recover a Schwi...
Part 3: How to Bring a Glossy Finish back to an Old Schwinn Stingray
• How to Bring a Glossy ...
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#schwinnstingray #vintageschwinn #refurbished

[@Vitusvonatzinger]

Okay. I’m impressed. That handlebar bag trick was the ferret balls.

[@GoodTimeBikes]

If that’s anything like the bees knees I appreciate the compliment! Thank you lol

[@mikemcbride1428]

just scored a sting ray for free on the street, similar condition to yours shown. thank you so much for the detailed series!

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Very cool! Hopefully this is helpful and you enjoy getting it back on the road!

[@josephpuderer1368]

The STP was nostalgic of that time. If the bike came stock with the STP it should be put on. We used to use the Union 76 antenna ball to protect the ends of the cables. It was kind of nifty then.😎🇺🇸

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Lol that’s pretty neat! STP stickers weren’t stock but they were a common choice among the kids back then. I left the STP sticker on the chain guard however.

[@danna7695]

I can't believe I came across your video. While cleaning out my mother's garage, I found my sister's 1966 Schwinn Stingray which isn't it that bad of shape. I was going to find someone to restore it, but you give me hope. I'm still watching them and realize I need Schwinn tools. I'm giving the bike to her for Christmas. I also found a 1965 Schwinn Tandem which will need a lot of work.

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Work on it one step at a time. Certain things you can’t do you can always take to a bike shop. Enjoy the videos and if you have any questions I’m glad to do my best to answer them. Sounds like you have a couple of pretty cool bikes. Tandems are a lot of fun and thank you!

[@generationjones-le8ge]

I had a purple Stingray when I was in elementary school. It even had the STP sticker on the banana seat.

[@GoodTimeBikes]

You were one lucky kid! Did you ever get another one like it later on?

[@generationjones-le8ge]

@@GoodTimeBikes Thanks for the reply! No, I eventually graduated to my dad's Shwinn Varsity ten speed, and then a Le Tour. I'd love to find a Stingray, even if it would need a lot of tender loving care.

[@GoodTimeBikes]

@@generationjones-le8ge they’re out there! I hope you find one!

[@MJRamirezVideo]

Cool vid

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Thank you!

[@Polara.]

These videos make for some awesome tips on preserving my old bikes. Thanks for posting them an’ keep them coming!

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Thank you and I certainly will! We need to keep these beautiful bikes alive!

[@michaelhovey5762]

Put the decals back on for sure.

[@StingraySteve]

Great tips thanks. I just got an iverson charger the same color.

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Absolutely! Another cool muscle bike, very nice! 👍🏼

[@dragin79]

Can’t wait for the next video! Very informative.

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Thank you very much! It’s a work in progress as we speak 👍🏼

[@deeredude]

Id leave the stickers off. That was the last care takers vision. Yea the STP was cool but it was only original once replacing it isnt the same.

[@GoodTimeBikes]

“Care taker” I like that lol very true though

[@michaelscott987]

Another great video! I am a big Evaporust fan and user, but good to know Eastwood is an option. Love your innovation on the box for the fender and plastic tube for the handlebars. I have become a Quick Glo fan for all chome polishing - paste that goes on great with a toothbrush, give it a try

[@rickshum8550]

Learned some new tips from your video and I am also a fan of Evaporust. I would leave off the decals.

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Sometimes you have to get creative to overcome these fun obstacles lol I know koolestuff sells Quick Glo and I’ve been looking forward to trying it out eventually! Thank you!

[@michaelscott987]

@@GoodTimeBikesyou can get Quick Glo directly- lol I spoke with the inventor

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Oh no kidding.. good to know. Thank you!

[@shawspeedshop]

Great Video, I have a few stingrays myself, though none are springers, I have a couple 64 coppertone deluxe, etc. all pre 69. Enjoyed watching the update, I’d buy the new STP sticker for sure!

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Thank you! Mine isn’t supposed to be a springer so I’m looking for the correct fork right now. Also I appreciate the input for sure but most everyone voted me down on replacing the stickers lol at least I have the one on the chain guard though

[@tonychic5743]

Good stuff! Knows a ton about bikes and history ! Good channel!

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Thank you very much! Bikes are fun but history is undoubtedly important! Thank you sir

[@BrainstormSnackAttack]

Sweet share! Very satisfying to see a job well done while learning at the same time!! So glad to meet you and glad to support and follow your channel!!

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Thank you very much!

[@maryannkoehn907]

Your videos are excellent & very informative. Keep up the good work.

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Thank you very much!

[@Daywalker_Lee]

Can't wait to see the end result... I have a 5 speed Stingray I'm going to restore just need to find the time. Great videos! Subbed

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Thank you very much! I’m excited to get it finished so I can make some fun riding videos. It’ll be a lot of fun!

[@kmibuilding906]

The fender box how funny, do what we have to. I liked your reply "everything has a price". I may have a 66 date code forged goose neck that would be original, of course it would increase your bikes value substantially!

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Lol a lot of ppl thought the “fender box” was neat. I did track down the correct stem since this video. Good eye btw!

[@kmibuilding906]

@@GoodTimeBikes I just did the box trick so far so good, we what more of your 66.

[@GoodTimeBikes]

That’s awesome!! I’m glad to hear it’s going well. I’m going to be at the shop tonight polishing, assembling and then greasing the pedals. And of course recording and editing video.

[@kmibuilding906]

@@GoodTimeBikes Awesome looking forward to it. Thanks

[@BikeNewLondon]

Great work, nice results. The cad plated and zinc plated parts are not going to do well in the Rust Treatment or Evaporust. They will darken as you found out. Chrome parts and plain iron parts come out great. I prefer a brass or ultra-fine wire wheel on a bench grinder for cleaning those, and a gentle touch. 0000 grade steel wool is a fine option too. You've got a 66 Stingray, like mine, so you have chrome fender stays and chrome seat clamp. For most folks with later bikes, those are cad-plated pieces too, so proceed with caution. Sometimes with cleanups, less is more. I'd leave the stickers off, my preference, unless they are helpful in covering some major defect. The matching paint is tough to get right, unless you follow Schwinn's full paint regimen- hard for touchups. Red primer, silver basecoat, then thin coats of top color. Really tricky to match original paint. And with cleaning any vintage Schwinn, avoid touching the chainguard silkscreen. The white original graphic turns into a big smear all too easily.

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Thank you and the crushed walnut definitely helps brighten cad or zinc parts. I’d really like to use an actual stationary buffing wheel but the one I want is sold out for now unfortunately. I was definitely worried about touching up the paint without using primer but at least it’s not just a rust spot anymore. I’m glad that was the only really bad spot I had. Also about the chain guard, it’s surprising how many people didn’t know not to touch it. I had to make mentioned of that in my Stingray paint polishing video. Thanks again!

[@christopherroberts4254]

Oh thank the LORD! I have been dying for an update video from you for forever. Bike looks amazing. I have an 82 Pixie I am working on and using your channel as inspiration. Keep em' coming. . . and soon :-)

[@GoodTimeBikes]

I really appreciate your interest and my next video won’t take this long to get out. I love hearing about people finding inspiration in my videos to help bring their old Schwinn back to life! Thank you very much!

[@jayrodmiller]

Just subscribed! Where did you get that material for the seat and what is it called? I have an old bike to fix up but can't find the correct material. Thanks.

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Thank you! Contact koolestuff.com and tell them Good Time Bikes sent you. They sell “seat cover kits” and other stingray related products.

[@chriswrobel6025]

Great info and enjoyed the video. What did you do to remove the rust from wheels/rims?

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Thank you! That will be coming in the next video but I used the same method with cardboard and a plastic liner. This time I used lemon juice due to the volume required. Lemon juice works great and it’s cheap.

[@skeleton432]

This is great- where are you based out of? IL?

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Thank you! About 30 min south of Chicago in the south suburbs. The bike shop is Richards Bicycles in Palos Heights.

[@oldguyBMX]

That color is a candy 2 stage. U should have used a silver base then the touch up color.

[@GoodTimeBikes]

I know that now lol Unfortunately I found this out after I posted the video.😂 I’ll have to fix so it looks better.

[@PeterMayer]

I have a 1970 Schwinn 5 speed stingray that needs major cleaning. The banana seat is discolored. What would I use?

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Is the seat white?

[@philhobday1193]

I have my original 1967 Stingray of the same color. I can’t seem to find your last videos. Is the bike restoration complete?

[@GoodTimeBikes]

That’s awesome, great color isn’t it?! Sometimes things happen in life and unfortunately it put a delay on my project/KZbin channel. I’m about ready to get back at it so expect to see a new video in a month or so. The next video will cover wheels, pedals, grips and final assembly.

[@philhobday1193]

Great, I’ll keep an eye out for that. You’ve given me new incentive to give mine some attention. Thanks for the quick response!

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Thank you and that’s fantastic! I’m glad these videos have given you the incentive you needed! You can also find my page on Facebook and there are a lot of great pages to show off your current project! (If you have Facebook that is)

[@peterkugel2631]

I have a question, I have a 65 what I’m told is a stingray. It has been repainted it and decals put on. All I added were aftermarket Schwinn pedals, seat and sissy bar.I’ve searched the number and it’s an actual Chicago 1965 frame. What I can’t find out is if it’s an actual stingray.?

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Unfortunately there’s no way of knowing. It may have started it’s life out as a 20” Spitfire for example and then someone could have swapped out all the parts to make it a “clone” Stingray.

[@jbarv]

Did you ever put it back together?

[@GoodTimeBikes]

I’m working on it still. Wheels and pedals are done. I’m in the middle of turning the grips white again. All of this will be in the next video. I was dealing with an injury that prevented me from going to working and working on this project for 6 months. Keep an eye out because there’s a video coming! Thank you.

[@oldguyBMX]

There's no chrome like schwinn chrome. Lol. I soak my chrome parts in distilled vinegar and then use a #0000 steelwhool with WD40 and a final polish with mothers chrome and aluminum polish.

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Yes. Mothers is another awesome product!

[@Iwhattogo]

Put the stickers back on

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Lol I would but you and I have been voted down unfortunately

[@Iwhattogo]

@@GoodTimeBikes Noooooooo lol no hard feelings

[@landobrown186]

Honest opinion, the rust spot looked better than that touch up paint, and it wasnt spreading. Great job though.

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Lol I respect that.. I wish I used the primer and silver base coat but I learned about that afterwards unfortunately. Thank you!! :)

[@landobrown186]

@@GoodTimeBikes oh your welcome. I enjoyed your videos on the Schwinn. Im about to start a 64-65 or so myself, just getting some ideas. Mine is Metallic blue with looots of patina. Its been in a thicket for 50+ years. I love that "pink/violet" on yours. Thats rar e. Anyways, there arent enough proper preservation videos on antique 20" cycles, you should keep at it. The roadbike/mountainbike guys have a different attitude about things. I dont tend to enjoy their content. Most bmx guys bikes are too new to "preserve". Anyways sorry to be longwinded, but thanks for the inspiration!

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Lol thank you! Also if you’re on Facebook feel free to show off you project! It’s always fun to see progress pictures and helps inspire others as well. We need to save these pieces of history one bike at a time :)

[@79TEOG]

The handlebar stem is not correct to this bike

[@GoodTimeBikes]

Thank you for pointing that out! Now that I’ve compared them you’re definitely right. Looks like I’ll have to find the correct stem

[@yomommaitsahoe8115]

Men the sell on ebay the same paint

[@maryannkoehn907]

Awesome job of de rusting. Keep up the good work.

[@RNicolasRuvalcaba]

Cleaning the rust off of the frame looked good until you touched it up - sorry but the touch up paint looks awful..

[@GoodTimeBikes]

I agree. It’s my fault. I didn’t know about the primer and silver base coat that should have been used first. Seems like the silver base coat is what makes all the difference.

[@RNicolasRuvalcaba]

@@GoodTimeBikes Beauty is in the eye of the beholder so I'm not trying to be harsh. In my opinion cleaning and polishing is all good but some original patina is also acceptable.

[@GoodTimeBikes]

I didn’t think you were harsh. Regardless everyone’s opinion is welcome here. I appreciate it!