How To Remove Rust From Chrome Bike Parts

So you left your bike out in the rain and now it has a few rusty parts. Or maybe your bike is just getting older. All bikes, no matter how expensive, rust and deteriorate over time! A rusty bike can be squeaky and not work right at all. It also looks terrible!

Why do bikes rust?

Metal left by unprotected and exposed to the elements will react with the air. This creates the ugly byproduct of rust. You can protect the bare metal parts protects them by finishing them with chrome, but sometimes the elements are strong enough to go through the barrier and still cause rusting. Eventually, over time, even the chrome plated parts will rust. If your bike has a steel frame or chrome-plated parts, it will become rusty! That’s just how it is. Rust is also able to spread to other parts of your bike, such as the chains, handlebars, and the seat post! If you have an aluminum bike or one with a carbon fiber base, it is less likely to rust because it resists rust very well!

Just remember, these methods to removing rust from your bicycle may not remove all of the rust. This is not a miracle. If the surface of your bike is severely pitted or has places where the chrome plating has begun to peel off, there is only so much you can do to remove the rust. By keeping rust removal simple and effective, it will hopefully encourage you to upkeep your bike regularly with cleanings and lubings. This all helps to prevent rust build up!

So, how do you get rid of the rust?

How To Remove Rust From Chrome Bike Parts

Prepare to clean

• When you are working with polish or rust remover, make sure you’re working in an area that is well-ventilated. Whenever possible, select nontoxic products to cut down on the risk of irritating your skin. Select nontoxic and biodegradable products whenever possible to reduce inhalation or skin contact risks. Nontoxic products also do not cause as large of a problem if inhaled. Open a few windows in your work area to get a constant air flow and let fresh air.
• Your work area should be clean. It would be a good idea to line your area with newspaper that will work to catch rust and spills.
• Using a slightly wet rag, wipe down the outside of your bike to remove excess dirt.
• Are there parts of your bike that will get in the way of a proper cleaning or could get harmed by the chemicals? Remove them! If the frame of your bike is rusty, take off the brake and shifter cables, the bike chains, and wheels to get a better clean. Taking them off also protects them from being damaged by the chemicals or foil.
• To remove the looser rust, use thee rough side of a sponge. You may also use steel wool or a wire brush, but don’t scrub too hard! You don’t want to scratch the metal underneath! Then, use a rag to clean off the excess rust that has been taken off.

Get to work

• Apply chrome polish, light oil, or rust remover to the rusted area. If you don’t have any of that handy, just use water!
• Cut aluminum foil into small squares.
• Rub rusted areas with aluminum foil dipped in water. Since the aluminum foil is softer than steel, it won’t scratch the surface of your bike. Place the wet square over the surface you want to clean to get a nice even coverage. Remember, you don’t have to rub very hard! The surface should get smoother as you rub, until the foil merely glides over it.
• For more severe rust or pitted areas, scrub the part with a crumpled ball of aluminum foil for about a minute. The edges created will help smooth down the pits. Use a wire brush or steel wool for super severe rust, but be careful not to scratch the metal.

Save it from the elements

• Once you finish cleaning the items, cover the surface to protect it from the elements. Wipe it down thoroughly with a clean cloth. If you have it handy and have extra time, the best way to protect your newly refurbished bike is to use a small amount of chrome polish or wax. Make sure you wipe the surface down with a paper towel first so you will have a clean and dry surface for the wax or polish to adhere to.

How does this all work?

As you rub the aluminum across the chrome pieces of your bike, heat is generated by the friction. This produces aluminum oxide. Aluminum is more likely to take on extra electrons and break down than the chrome is.  The aluminum will steal oxygen atoms away from any rust on the chrome. This changes the chemical properties of the rust (because oxygen is being removed) and the rust breaks down into pieces.

You may also use a fine steel wool to clean the rust off of a bike. However, this method using a lot more elbow grease and hard work. It tires you out and the surface under the rust may still be slightly dull this is because with the steel wool you are merely scraping off the rust. Steel wool can also leave scratch marks behind! Who wants that? Using aluminum foil, you are able to dissolve the rust chemically. This means you don’t need to rub nearly as hard! The aluminum foil is softer than the chrome, so it rarely leaves scratches behind!

What are some other methods to removing rust?

Some say citric acid, such as lemon or lime juice, can dissolve rust. Test it out! Pour citric acid onto a sponge, steel wool pad, or rag. Then, simply scrub the rust off the bike. After you’re done scrubbing, wipe the parts down with a towel or rag to get off any extra residue- because letting citric acid sit too long leads to damaged metal. Others swear by Coke, the sugary carbonated beverage! Many carbonated beverages will remove rust! The phosphoric acid in Coke dissolves the rust. This may be a good option; articles note that the rust is dissolved quickly and the Coke does little harm to the metal pieces. Pour coke onto the rusted parts and spread around using a rag. Let it sit for a few minutes and wipe it off with a clean rag. This should remove the excess rust and residue!