Many bicycle components are made of steel, aluminium or alloys that use both metals. Metals, especially unpainted metallic surfaces, are susceptible to corrosion when exposed to moisture. Whether you ride your bike every day, store your bike in a damp place, or often wash your bike without proper drying and lubrication, corrosion is bound to set in on the metallic components of your bike.
Not only does rust leave unsightly stains on your bike, but it can also deteriorate the structural integrity of your bicycle components and severely shorten their service life.
You can significantly extend the service life of your bike by protecting it from the damage corrosion and rust cause. While prevention is often better than the cure, sometimes it is too late and the tell-tale signs of creeping rust can already be observed on your bike. In this case, there are several ways to remove surface rust and protect your bike from further corrosion.
Certain components are particularly susceptible to rapid deterioration from rust, like bicycle wheels. Wheels, by nature of their function, are subject to more contamination from road grit (and in the case of many areas in the northern hemisphere, residual salt on roads after the winter season, which can greatly accelerate rust!). Wheel components (rims, spokes and nipples) can be especially challenging when it comes to attempting to remove rust that has already set in.
In this article we take a look at some of rust removal methods you can apply to bicycle wheels.
Method #1: Aluminium foil and water
Find some aluminium foil and crumple it up to make a ball that fits in your hand. Get a small bowl of water. Lightly wet the aluminum foil and get scrubbing! Don’t get frustrated if the rust doesn’t come off quickly, just take your time. Make sure to keep the foil damp by dipping it in the water every now and then. While this is a rather time-intensive method, it is very effective and especially good if you don’t want to significantly mar the original finish of your spokes and rims. The abrasiveness of the crumpled-up aluminum foil will remove the layer of rust but it will not scratch the surfaces you’re working on. It is also great because of the ability to shape that ball of foil to get into all the nooks and crannies between the spokes and rim surface.
For heavy rust, you might want to substitute the aluminium foil for steel wool. Steel wool will likely scratch the finish of your rims and spokes, but if you’ve got heavy rust on your bike cosmetic issues will be the least of your problems!
Method #2: Baking soda
This method is best suited to minor rust. Make a 1:1 mixture of baking soda and water in a small container. You will want to mix it until it becomes a thick paste. Make enough paste to completely cover the rusty areas on your wheels. You can add a small amount of lemon juice to the mix to enhance its rust removal characteristics. Use a brush or a sponge to apply the paste to the rusty areas, and let it sit for about 30 minutes. If the paste starts dripping from your components, you didn’t make it thick enough! Come back with some steel wool or a wad of crumpled up aluminium foil and start lightly scrubbing. The rust should start coming away from your rims and spokes. When done, use a dry rag to thoroughly wipe and dry your wheels.
Method #3: White vinegar and sandpaper
You’re going to need some sandpaper (200 or 400 grit would be good in this application, depending on how heavy the rust is) and a spray bottle with some white vinegar in it. Lightly spray your rusty wheel with white vinegar then begin lightly scrubbing with sandpaper. You might need to wrap the sandpaper around a small dowel or pencil to make a sanding block that lets you scrub effectively into narrow areas.
For heavy rust, you might need to actually soak your rims in vinegar. You will need a tub large enough to fit at least one rim at a time and a few gallons of vinegar. Submerge your wheels in the vinegar for at least 24 hours (remember to take the tires off first!). After the vinegar soak, lightly scrub your rims and spokes with some steel wool or aluminum foil to and remove the rust. When you’re done, rinse your wheels with fresh water and thoroughly dry them to prevent further corrosion.
Method #4: Oxalic acid solution
Oxalic acid is used as a reducing agent and is used commercially as a laundry rinse, bleaching agent, and paint and varnish remover. Oxalic acid can also be used as a very effective rust remover. You can buy Oxalic acid powder at your local paint supplies store.
Mix a solution of 1.5 tablespoons oxalic acid and 1 gallon of warm water. Use a toothbrush to apply the solution to your rusted rims and spokes by lightly scrubbing them. When done, wipe down and thoroughly dry your components.
It should be noted that you should only use this method if working on steel rims and spokes. Do not use Oxalic acid on aluminum components.
Oxalic acid is fairly harmless when diluted, but make sure you take all necessary precautions when handling any chemicals.
Things to consider before you attempt any of the above rust removal methods:
- Wear gloves and eye protection, especially when handling chemicals like Oxalic acid and commercial rust removers. Keep all materials away from kids and pets.
- Removing rust on steel components will expose bare metal which will be susceptible to rust again. To minimize the onset of rust, store your bike in a dry place and make sure to always clean and dry your bike after riding in wet conditions. Bare metal can also be treated to better resist the forming of new rust.
- If your bike uses rim brakes, make sure that you thoroughly clean and dry the braking surface on your rims, and do not use any substances that can compromise the braking performance, such as rust removers that have oils in them.
- In case of extreme corrosion, especially on spokes, sometimes it is better to consider replacement. These components are critical for safe use of the bike, and consulting your local bike shop can be useful in this case.