Chemistry Is Your Friend - Simple Rust Removal For Chrome
Hey all,
I've been restifying BMX bikes as of late, and decided to take some pics of the process I use to remove rust from old chrome bolts and other assorted chrome parts. The technique I use is very simple - make a bath of Citric Acid Powder and water, and soak the parts. The ratio is 8oz. of CAP for every gallon of water. It's environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and super easy to do! Here's some pics and a quick writeup. Enjoy! Step one - gather your rusty parts, and the citric acid powder. You might need a lot of this stuff, depending on how much you need to clean. :) I got my citric acid powder at a store that sells wine and beer making supplies, along with canning and bottling equipment. So, if you have a store near you that sells supplies for home brewers and such, chances are they will have it in stock. http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...psbaeaa30f.jpg You can make the bath as large or small as you need, as long as you keep the ratio the same. This pan uses less than a gallon of water, so I used less than 8oz. of CAP. http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...ps6b3f50fb.jpg Closeup of rusty parts. http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...ps74c60f12.jpg Same parts, about 4 hours later. Note the bubbles around the parts - science is working! http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...psdc39bde9.jpg I removed this washer after about 7 hours in the bath. Note the clean side - I merely wiped the rust off with a shop rag. http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...ps92f3cdc0.jpg Here's how everything looked at the end. I just had to wipe the parts off with a Scotchbrite pad and rinse in cold water to remove the acid. Amazing! http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...ps3f4df469.jpg http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...psbf022ef2.jpg Now, this will work on seriously rusty stuff too - you just have to let the parts soak longer. Here's a 1983 Murray frameset - some of the chrome was compromised already, as this bike sat in a damp garage for almost 30 years. Here's the before shots - http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...psc8c762e4.jpg http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...psce0c124f.jpg http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...ps0d940c8d.jpg And after 27 hours in the bath. Notice the decals did not get damaged or lift at all. Science is awesome! http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...ps3e9ed0fd.jpg Once the items are removed and rinsed, you may want to protect the chrome finish to help prevent it from re-rusting. I went over the frameset with Turtle Wax Chrome polish because I ride it everywhere. Another good way to protect them is to wipe the parts down with a rag soaked with WD40. Some of the other things will not re-rust as long as they're out of the elements - those small bolts still look fine after several days, and I did nothing to protect them. I've also tried this experiment on bare metal (like a kickstand and a seat clamp) and it removed all the rust, but it showed some surface rust not long after. I wiped that off with 0000 steel wool and it didn't come back. Hope this info can help you guys! |
Great write up. I got some tools this will work well on, thanks
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Steve,
Looks great! How are the parts protected from re-rusting quickly? |
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Another good way to protect them is to wipe the parts down with a rag soaked with WD40. Some of the other things will not re-rust as long as they're out of the elements - those bolts still look fine, and I didn't put anything on them. I've also tried this experiment on bare metal (like a kickstand and seat clamp) and it removed all the rust, but like you said, it showed some surface rust not long after. I wiped it off with 0000 steel wool and it didn't come back. I'll edit my first post above to reflect this info I forgot. :) Thanx Bill! |
Very cool stuff, I'll have to remember this. Where do you pick up CAP?
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I believe you can get similar results with simple white vinegar. Vinegar is acetic acid
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Kind of like the old wive's tale about using Coca-Cola. Yes, it has a small amount of phosphoric acid in it that will eat rust but nowhere near enough to do some heavier cleaning. |
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http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showth...hlight=vinegar |
Hmm. Maybe I just had old or weak white vinegar? I'll have to give it another shot.
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Taco Bell fire sauce will clean stuff up too
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