Dave's bike flip/custom Polished bike

​INTRO:
What up everyone!  So this story started when I was on YouTube watching videos about polishing up bicycle parts and by chance came upon a video showing off this shiny Cannondale road bike and I was really inspired, so I searched for more and found this random frame, as well as this old school Redline BMX.  So, of course I was inspired to have my own and came up with this piece right here.  Here’s another shot, showing the color contrast a little better.  Anyways, I want to show ya’ll a visual story, taking you through the journey you can expect to go through if you choose to take on a project like this one.
 
BEFORE THE NEW LOOK:
So, it all starts with this bike right here, a 2013 Giant Escape RX1 Hybrid bike. As-is, it was a good working, good looking bike in great condition.  I know some would ask, “why would you even think to do that to a bike with no problems, what so ever?”   But it was just the perfect project bike for me to use.  Oh and by the way, if you’re thinking of doing something like this to your own bike, I’m pretty sure your manufacture’s warranty, if it has one, is out the door.  So, Just know that before you decide to move forward on face-lifting your bike.   Oh, and another thing, this project took a lot of time.  I think I spent a couple months of my free time on my days off from the shop and even worked on it a few days at the shop after business hours.
 
THE WORK BEGINS:
Before I can start removing the paint from the frame, I gotta take everything apart and strip everything down to the bare frame.  I decided to mirror polish the wheels too, so had to take these wheels apart, removing the tires, spokes, and hubs.  Remove the handlebars, fork, headset, brakes, seat post, derailleurs, crank arms, bottom bracket, cables.  Everything comes off.
 
REMOVING THE PAINT:
Here you see me stripping the paint using Rustoleum Aircraft Remover to chemically take off the paint.  It made a big mess and wasn’t as simple as I thought.   Be sure to use protective gloves and don’t get that stuff on your skin, cuz it’ll painfully burn ya.
 
The part that took the most time was the sanding.  The paint on the welded points were really difficult and took extra effort.   I started with 320 grit, then moved on to 400, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, and finally 2000. 
 
Finally after all that sanding, I was able to start polishing, using Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish. And at this point, I found all my hard work was starting to payoff.
 
WHEEL BUILD:
For the wheels, I pretty much went through the same sanding and polishing process that I did on the frame, then rebuilt them and customizing them with red spoke nipples.  As for tires, I decided to go with these WTB Thickslicks, cuz I pretty much like the style and look they give.  The size of these Thickslicks are 700x28, but I ended up having to go with a narrower 700x25 in the front to clear my new carbon road fork.
 
OUTRO:
Thanks for watching. Feel free to comment and let me know what you think or if you have any questions about this mirror polished bike project.  Click the like button and Subscribe to our channel if you like what you see and be sure to check out California Bike & Snowboard on Instagram and follow our Facebook page.  PEACE!