• Thanks to @SideshowBob I landed on what I think to be a bargain Carlton Cobra on eBay. Easy project that basically just needed putting together but the more research I have done the more I've found that it's actually quite a tidy and desirable bike.
    The wheels were shot and the axles seized.
    Can anyone advise on how to polish the chrome frame and forks back to its former glory? It's not bad now but a bit pitted in places.
    Saddle is in decent nick but a bit dry so I've proofided it and I'll give it a few days and do it again.
    Should I bother with anything other than getting it going again as it is?

    https://goo.gl/photos/MDnbULatCFts3wBc8

  • Tesco value Coca Cola and tinfoil has always been my go to chrome polish. Make a loose ball out of foil and dip in the coke.
    Bit less aggressive than Autosol or Peek for general cleaning. Bad pitting can be cleaned then sealed with a bit of car wax.

  • Thanks for the tip. Looks like the wheels are toast so I'm either going to be on the lookout for a new set of rims to rebuild on these hubs or a complete new set. Bad start...

  • I've used brasso on silver parts to polish them up with success. Not on actual chrome though

  • Brasso cuts into chrome pretty deep, I'd be reluctant unless I knew it was really thick old chrome. I also struggle to get the residue out of nooks and crannies.

    I suspect the pre-50's thread would have the best advice on these matters tho.

  • Old catalogue with a cobra on the right I think


    1 Attachment

    • Fotor_150389919047364.jpg
  • +1 on the aluminum foil trick. Works perfectly well, I use water instead of coke. Chrome is harder the Al that's why it won't get scratched. From my experience even really serious rust clears out pretty nicely.

  • I've got one of these I gave to my dad, they're cool little bikes. I think the frame is essentially a Carlton continental. any 27" Raleigh or Carlton from the era will be more or less the same, should you need a donor.

    they're a bit agricultural to ride but a lot of fun.

    someones already had a go at polishing it in the past as it should have either a red or blue tint fade on the lugs in to the middle of the tubes like in that pic above. water and Brillo pad is my go to for chrome then autosol and soft rag for a final polish.

  • Very nice Cobra indeed. There's a nice Carlton group on Facebook and a knowledgeable Carlton chap on Retrobike.co.uk. But yeah, nice catch!

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Chrome Carlton Cobra semi-project. Looking for advice

Posted by Avatar for Heitzman @Heitzman

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