Modern Vespa

Sounds a bit crazy to do, but I'm wondering what everyone thinks.

From this previous post Restoring original paint I had pretty good luck stripping off the top coat to get to the original, only took about 4 solid weekends of low heat, high patience, and a careful hand. As suspected, a couple of areas are pretty bad, but in the end I'm liking the beat up original color better than I liked the even more beat up crappy white with some spots of original color showing through.

I still have to use a bit of polishing compound to get at some scuffs and marks, but I'm actually wondering about using a 2k clear coat to give some extra longevity? or just let it continue to patina more?

Mines was cleaned, polished and clear coat....by the restorer and not me. IMO, Not bad...No bad at all. My scooter was red to begin with and the chip paint is not as noticeable if on a white bike. But the clear should stop the chipping and keep it old looking.

Clean clean and polish polish.

You could use a rust converter type product that will turn the rust spots into a zinc-phosphate type coat. I did it on mine and I'm pretty happy with the results. I then just wax it. It doesn't feel like a rust-bucket anymore.

I used this:

http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-s-fast-etch.html

Just the one spray bottle should do it all.

Sorry, this is the best before and after photo I have, but you get the idea. Basically it's not supposed to rust anymore once treated. I have not done much afterwards, just did that before the end of season and I love the looks.

Ya I've read a lot here about people keeping the patina look and just waxing for protection. My issue is that I'm not sure I'll keep on the waxing long term...

I was a bit worried about mine as the rust was getting fairly thick but most of it you couldn't see anyway, as it was under the cowl. I ended up using some naval jelly and a wire brush to remove the rust. I had a few spots like this on the frame too.

I personally don't mind the results as I know I'll have the scoot for a bit longer. That being said ... IMHO I'm not sure I'd want the clear coat everywhere mainly due to the shine on the not so shiny scooter.

I would only do it if you are concerned about rust because other than that the clear coat obviously has a different function.

Syntagma, you did a good job on with that navel jelly

Most people think one coat is ok and dont take the time to do it for long enough.

You gotta watch the phosphates on the good paint, they can easily bleach it, especially if its lead based.

Yeah man, just keep T-cutting it back then get some waxoil or similar to keep the rust at bay, crc do a cpc product thats spray on, then it just takes some gas to wipe it off and do more of whatever you want to it

i clean the vb1 with INOX and a dry cloth, does the job n i dont think its seen water in a looong time

Thanks, I appreciate it!

I wire/hard brushed it in, wiped it off, added a little more scrubbed and let it sit 45 min then rinsed. I did that 3 or 4 times and the results were ... as pictured . I'm really happy I did it too; the far left tab was about to get eaten though and it was fairly thin in places on the bottom.

I'm sorta wondering if I should do the underside of the rear wheel well too?