Three Easy Ways to Remove Rust From a Bicycle

Posted by Jenell Senger on February 9th, 2021

Getting the Rust Off a Bike

Rust. Everybody has encountered it, no one enjoys it.

Unfortunately, when an oxidizing metal is presented to water and air, rust happens. Salt makes it more terrible.

In case you're a cyclist who invests any amount of energy outside, you will undoubtedly run into rust eventually. On your handlebars, on your chain, even on your parts.

Fortunately, there are a couple of basic ways to remove rust from the bike rust rapidly and adequately. It will not cost you definitely, and you can tackle this venture at home.

1) Aluminum Foil: A cheap way to scour rust off a bike

You probably didn't have a clue about this, however, folded up aluminum foil (or aluminum to you Brits) will remove rust from chrome parts and make it all gleaming again.

Something about the abrasiveness of the foil takes off the delicate rust without excessively damaging the harder metal underneath.

Since aluminum is a gentler metal than steel, it typically can't scratch or damage chrome.

Also, it's cheap to purchase. You probably have some in your kitchen drawer at the present time.

Tip: I suggest wearing gloves while you do this. The foil will in general stain your fingers, and it very well may be unpleasant on your skin.

2) Extra Fine Steel Fleece

Steel fleece is awesome stuff for eliminating rust from all your chrome parts and segments. It's cheap to purchase too, available at your local hardware store.

Simply rip off a little piece of the fleece and scour away tenderly. It should take off rust and oxidization.

It'll even try to please chrome!

Tip: Like aluminum foil, wear gloves. It's hard on hands.

Also, several bike web journals suggest that you utilize extra fine steel wool1 on bike segments. In the event that it's too unpleasant it'll damage your bike and it will not try to please chrome. It may even scratch.

You should spot test and make sure the fleece makes a satisfactory showing before really making a plunge.

3) Baking Soda and Water

A touch of baking soda and water, blended 50/50, will transform into a paste. You can utilize that to delicately scour away rust without damaging the metal2.

Much the same as a toothpaste, this paste has the perfect amount of coarseness to remove those difficult particles. It's also fabulously economical.

Baking soda is a popular, all-natural cleaning agent and you may also think that its helpful around the house. We like to utilize it on obstinate bathtub grime!

Tip: This is a decent technique to use in combination with aluminum foil or steel fleece, as it'll twofold the viability of both. Again, I prescribe spot testing to guarantee its adequacy.

Reward Tip: Use Oil

In the event that you apply a cycle of light oil all the while, or following rust removal via any of these three techniques, it'll serve to shield your chrome from additional rusting.

Unfortunately, whenever rust has started it'll turn into a standard cycle to remove it again. Oil hinders the bringing oxidization back.

Important: Don't utilize oil on your brakes and don't allow it to get onto your tires. It'll seriously impact your ability to stop!

When is a Bike Too Far Gone?

Now and then, it's simply not worth trying to remove the rust.

On the off chance that your bike seems as though the one in that first photograph, save yourself some time and energy and try not to. It's too rusty.

Pitting is the Pits

How can you tell whether it merits tackling? Now and again it's trial and blunder. However, when the metal is hollowed it's really hard to viably remove all the rust. The more pitting there is, the more reduced your profits will be.

You're not out of choices, however. In the event that the bike is vital, you can professionally strip the rust, smooth it down, and re-chrome it utilizing an interaction called chrome plating3. That's pricey, however, and not something I'd suggest except if the bike is amazingly special.