38. How to Remove Surface Rust on Chrome

You can use light oil and fine steel wool to remove surface rust from chrome and steel.

IMPORTANT: Nuts and bolts on your bike should always be tightened to the manufacturer's specifications.

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00:16 - Bronze or brass wool works the best.

In this short video we’ll learn how to remove surface rust. This will work best on chrome and sometimes on bare steel. If your rust is really bad you may have to get the part sandblasted and re-chromed.

For this job you’ll need some light oil, a chunk of fine steel wool, and a rag.

Simply squirt some light oil on the rust you want to remove. Then scrub it a little bit with a chunk of steel wool and wipe it clean with a rag… and that’s it! Keep in mind that it will quickly rust again if exposed to water, so you’ll want to dry it off well after riding in the rain.

Discuss this topic in the Cleaning Forums

06/29 Rags!!

Hey guys, What kind of rags do you use? I tend to use dish cloths because that's generally all I can find. Go to any automotive shop or bike shop and they don't seem to stock mechanic specific rags. The problem I find with dish cloths is that small hairs seem to come off of them when for instance, wiping bolt threads clean ready for re-greasing, so sometimes small hairs can get caught up in the new grease. Gets quite annoying! Si PS: Same goes for brushes as well!... Read more >>

05/22 Ideas for cleaning this (pic)

I recently picked up a Trek 1000 and got a good deal on it but the frame could use a really good cleaning. Only problem is I dont know what to use to get this stuff off with. If there is anything that will. Wanted to get a few opinions before I jumped in and started using something that would do more harm than good. Here is what I am talking about.... Read more >>

05/09 Steam Clean

My wife just bought a Wagner steam cleaner that cuts through dirt and grease very well. We used to use steam to clean engine blocks and such, so I was wondering if there would be any reason not to use it to clean greasy drive trains, etc. Of course everything would have to be properly lubed afterward, but the steamer warms the part so they dry amazingly fast.... Read more >>

04/19 What's electrolysis?

Was just looking on eBay and came across this bike that had been restored [broken_link] He says that electrolysis was used to remove rust! How’s this done and is it effective, anyone have any info on the process and is it possible to do at home? cheers.... Read more >>

12/22 Laundry - cleaning bicycle clothing

Hi folks, It's been a few months since I was on the forum. Sorry about that. Transition to a new company and ramp up have occupied most of my free time. Everyone knows that bike clothes aren't cheap. I've noticed recently that after ~3000 miles the last 1.5 years on my road bike, some of my clothes aren't getting clean in the wash. How does one get grease and road grime out of brightly colored fabrics? I have been using Sports Wash and Win detergents. Generally this isn't an odor problem, but more of a "get the dirt out but keep the colors bright" type of issue. Any general laundry ti... Read more >>

08/24 Cleaning aluminum alloy

Was taking the old tape off a my handlebars and noticed how shiney the aluminum was on the area of the brakes that was covered with tape. Any way of restoring the old exposed areas back to the original shine?... Read more >>

08/12 Bicycle Tune-up/Cleaning Questions

Ryan here, I’m averaging around 100-150 Miles every two weeks (commuter on a new Specialized Secteur). My questions are in regard to tune-ups / cleaning and frequency. First – I was told not to use harsh cleaners on the bike. Is Noxon 7 (link below) considered “harsh?” http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1418968 Second – Rumor also has it that waxing the bike (like you would a car) is a good idea for commuters. True? False? Last – is there a good guide for what I should be doing Weekly? Monthly? Annually? Every week I check tire pressure, and check the ch... Read more >>

07/27 Cleaning chain with diesel fuel

is it okay to clean chain with diesel fuel? may it harm chain or sprockets? i couldn't find a suitable solvent to clean the chain. so i used diesel fuel to clean chain and drivetrain. i use finish line cross country as a lubricant.... Read more >>

07/13 Bike Repair Help

Hey All I am new to this forum and bike repairs. I have a classic bike that i am trying to restore. Its full of rust around the mud guard, peds. I was able to get some rust off by sanding it down, then applying WD-40 to the sandpaper. I bought some Brasso will that help to shine it up and and get rid of any access rust? The back wheel is wobbly - i called the bike shop and they suggested that it needs tighten. When I try to ride the bike - its not a smooth ride - its wobbly. I will be also spraying the frame t0 a Firey Red - its rust check spray paint, and would i have to replace the mud gua... Read more >>

06/27 White bar tape

What is the best way to clean white bar tape?... Read more >>

05/07 WD 40

hi You said thats wd 40 bad for lubricate bike parts, but is it good for cleaning?? and after cleaning lubricate with oil or grease or........ Read more >>

04/25 Evapo-Rust ROAD TEST

Hi all, Just thought I would pass this info on to those wanting a good rust remover. The product is Evapo-Rust and I found it at an auto parts store today. I'm not associated with the company. According to the instructions, all you need to do is submerge the rusted steel object in the Evapo-Rust solution in any container. I used a plastic trash bag because I am removing rust from a drill press table and have nothing else big enough, yet limited myself to a quart of the solution. I didn't want to use anything abrasive on the table because as you can see in the photos below the table has a fi... Read more >>

04/24 Petroleum as cleaning material?

Hi All, I am new here and like to start from downstairs. When I was a child cleaned my bike, the chain, some lagers with Petroleum. I know the smell and danger of the fire, etc, But it work well. Is it a good material to clean some parts with it? Thanks, doki... Read more >>

04/24 How to clean handlebar grips

[attachment=748] I need help please. Does any body know how to clean bicycle hand grip?... Read more >>

12/19 Tip for cleaning chain!

Here is a little tip I wish to share with everyone here on BicycleTutor.com. I was looking at the chain before I decided to tear apart this bike to completely overhaul it. Now granted I am gonna do a complete tear down of every part to the frame, this thought popped into my mind. If I were cleaning the chain why on earth do I need to clean off the same dirt/gunk from the wheel assembly from the chain? Hmmm, why not just get some sort of backing to fit behind the chain but in front of the wheel! Then I said out loud, "CARDBOARD BOX!". I am sure someone somewhere has used, thought off, or made a... Read more >>

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38. How to Remove Surface Rust on Chrome

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