How to preserve a well earned patina?

One of my toys has a pretty nice patina of years - scratches, use, a little surface rust, a 25 year old state inspection sticker, and the rest.

I don't want to restore it, but I also don't want to have it rust apart while I'm enjoying it.

What can I do to keep 45 years worth of use in place, without having it get worse, or having to disassemble and feel like I need to do a nut and bolt resto?

Yeah - it's a scooter and one of about 40 in the US. I like the rust on the carb door, especially when I pass the new ones like they're standing still.

 

you can slow the rust down, you can't stop it without getting rid of it.

 

Just use it enjoy it and wash it now and then. As long as you don't abandon it in a field it'll outlive you. Thats my opinion.

-Jeff

 

if thats 45 years of use it looks like itll last another 1000 years if you just do what youve be doing

 

Actually you don't have to do anything. If you like it, park it inside when you aren't driving it,, if you don't lay it down in the mud for months on end, it'll still be working well 60 or 70 years from now. (see my every-other-day driver)

 

Dude, you're in California. You have no idea what rust really is. Midwesterners would consider what you're picturing as dust. Ride it, enjoy it, and don't worry about that "rust".

 

A good a waxing with a natural wax (like carnauba) will seal it and slow any growth down. Steel sculpture that has forced rust patina applied to it just gets a coat of wax now and then to keep it from getting orange and fuzzy. I've got a 1962 Honda motorcycle that still has it's original paint on it too. I never store it outdoors and wax it religiously and the rust hasn't grown any...even out here in Hawaii where everything rusts like crazy!

 

I have successfully saved some serious patina, much more pronounced than the "dust" I see on that shiny scooter. I scuff with a scotch pad to remove any glaze, surface rust and to open up the finish, then I give it a couple of coats of matte or satin gloss. rattle can style. Now they can sit out in the rain, get washed and will even dust off with a CA duster. Saves the look and gives it just a bit of sheen. Actually, enhances the patina

 

Looks great, what ya can see, show us more. Spike

 

"Dude, you're in California. You have no idea what rust really is. Midwesterners would consider what you're picturing as dust. Ride it, enjoy it, and don't worry about that "rust"."
I agree, that looks like a 5 year old scooter here in Canada, ride it and enjoy it, have fun!

 

I agree with Lucky, just wax it. Wax seals and preserves.

 

I have sprayed the rattle can clear coat myself.... works pretty well.

 

Thanks for the interest - I have a thing for the odd and unrepairable.

It was in Pennsylvania until last year - so I know how lucky I am.

 

I always see the rat rod guys spraying PLEDGE on their rides. lemon sent