Jan and the art of bicycle maintenance
Fill a container with warm water by hand and add a couple of generous squirts of thick detergent. Using a cloth or sponge, wipe off any visible road or road grime starting with the top tube, seat post and frame head. Then work your way down the bike, paying particular attention to the seams, welds and attachment points of the components to the frame. Remove any soap residue by rubbing the frame with another cloth rinsed in clean, warm water.
After drying, apply a thin coat of cedar furniture oil, then wipe until almost dry and once again your JGuillem frame will shine like new. From time to time, carefully inspect your frame for scratches or surface marks. These will be gently buffed out using a small strip of Scotch-Brite - use Grade A, which is the finest. Simply rub the affected area "bootblack style", until that part of the frame has an even finish. At first it may appear a little shinier than the rest of the frame, but it will fade over time, melting into an overall patina.
If you notice fingerprints, these can (and should) be removed by wiping them off with a kitchen towel lightly dampened with acetone or lighter fluid. Once the problem is gone, apply a good furniture polish such as Pledge™, which is spray-applied and also requires gentle wiping. Pledge™ is also good for preventing fingerprints from leaving a mark that can tarnish the frame and for covering an area where a scratch was removed with Scotch-Brite.
If you have damaged or dirty decals, use acetone or lighter fluid to remove them. They can be replaced with new ones ordered from this site to make your bike look brand new. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully so they adhere properly to the frame.
Built to Last a Lifetime
A J.Guillem frame is designed to last a lifetime. In fact, it is designed to last several lifetimes.
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