exposed surface that was previously painted or plated.. could have been galvanized (zinc) or chrome/nickel plated and completely worn off.
If it were my bike, I’d just replace the seatpost entirely, that’s a dated and not-great design to begin with. Spokes I’d replace with stainless steel if/when they break. You can use steel wool, or even some aluminum foil, to clean it up a bit. Citric acid will also remove rust, as will phosphoric acid (common in products like Naval Jelly). There are other products like Evaporust (you could just soak the top of the seat post clamp pieces in that). Coat to prevent additional rust… could use something like shellac or a proper primer and paint, or just coat with oil although that might make its way onto your clothes and will require more frequent reapplication.
AJ_Nobody on
Replace with a proper seatpost that has a built-in head. Those “seat guts” are stamped out of pot metal and are only suitable for kids bikes and beach cruisers, if that.
RideyTidey207 on
Fluid Film, that shit’s the best
cdlbadger on
I volunteer at a nonprofit that takes in donated bikes, fixes them up, and gives them away to kids. The most common thing we do is rust removal. Steel wool and brass-bristle brushes take care of pretty much everything.
Still-Let7318 on
Try crumpling up some aluminum foil and rubbing it on the rust, works wonders!
MuffinOk4609 on
Beware that some folders have oversized seatposts because of their length.
onjefferis on
> got my bike serviced recently and these spots of corrosion were brought to my attention.
The bike shop pointed this out to you? If that was the biggest problem with your bike it’s gotta be tip-top. lol
JP_watson on
Store your bike indoors…
BasketNo4817 on
Different phases need different tools and application. Good info so far. For rust areas Steel wool and anything steel embeds micro steel fibers which encourage rust to come back with a vengeance.
Start- aluminum foil and carbonated liquid. This combination is a good and inexpensive to start with. May require a bit more elbow grease but totally worth trying.
Heavier- copper or brass brushes and a light solvent like Wd-40. Elbow grease can really work wonders. Wipe off when done. Have restored “totally gone” chrome parts. Pitting can’t be removed but that’s out of control.
Heaviest- muriatic acid mixture with acid to water 1:3 or 1:4. Extreme caution but highly effective. Will strip any coatings but if corrosion or rust is so bad it has already been compromised.
Dip in 5 minute increments and ensure to stop the acid with a bicarbonate mixture in water. This will slow down the acid process.
9 Comments
exposed surface that was previously painted or plated.. could have been galvanized (zinc) or chrome/nickel plated and completely worn off.
If it were my bike, I’d just replace the seatpost entirely, that’s a dated and not-great design to begin with. Spokes I’d replace with stainless steel if/when they break. You can use steel wool, or even some aluminum foil, to clean it up a bit. Citric acid will also remove rust, as will phosphoric acid (common in products like Naval Jelly). There are other products like Evaporust (you could just soak the top of the seat post clamp pieces in that). Coat to prevent additional rust… could use something like shellac or a proper primer and paint, or just coat with oil although that might make its way onto your clothes and will require more frequent reapplication.
Replace with a proper seatpost that has a built-in head. Those “seat guts” are stamped out of pot metal and are only suitable for kids bikes and beach cruisers, if that.
Fluid Film, that shit’s the best
I volunteer at a nonprofit that takes in donated bikes, fixes them up, and gives them away to kids. The most common thing we do is rust removal. Steel wool and brass-bristle brushes take care of pretty much everything.
Try crumpling up some aluminum foil and rubbing it on the rust, works wonders!
Beware that some folders have oversized seatposts because of their length.
> got my bike serviced recently and these spots of corrosion were brought to my attention.
The bike shop pointed this out to you? If that was the biggest problem with your bike it’s gotta be tip-top. lol
Store your bike indoors…
Different phases need different tools and application. Good info so far. For rust areas Steel wool and anything steel embeds micro steel fibers which encourage rust to come back with a vengeance.
Start- aluminum foil and carbonated liquid. This combination is a good and inexpensive to start with. May require a bit more elbow grease but totally worth trying.
Heavier- copper or brass brushes and a light solvent like Wd-40. Elbow grease can really work wonders. Wipe off when done. Have restored “totally gone” chrome parts. Pitting can’t be removed but that’s out of control.
Heaviest- muriatic acid mixture with acid to water 1:3 or 1:4. Extreme caution but highly effective. Will strip any coatings but if corrosion or rust is so bad it has already been compromised.
Dip in 5 minute increments and ensure to stop the acid with a bicarbonate mixture in water. This will slow down the acid process.