General Cycling Discussion - Removing rust from chrome fork?

My brother has a 1 year old bike (MTB) with a really pretty chrome fork. I was looking at it a couple of days ago, and noticed that there are several light rust spots on it. Mostly tiny spots but also a couple of larger stains.

One of the small stains, I took a small cloth with a bit of silicone spray applied to it and rubbed, which made the stain disappear (I read that somewhere). However, I can't really see myself working the whole fork like this. There's got to be a more effective way. I did a search with google on this problem and found some good info, but most of the links where about really bad corroded metal motorcycle parts and antique clocks and such. :)

How do I remove the stains effectively, and what can be done to prevent or minimize corrosion build-up?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Greetings,
Sp@eder

E-mail whoever made the bike and see what they say and maybe see what the lbs might have to offer.Oh if you didnt get the bike there that might be stealing there money.Never mind,thats another thread.

Simichrome, Mothers Chrome Polish with 0000 grade steel wool works for me.

Check with guys doing auto detail. Everyones got a favorite, but it is an ongoing thing.

I've yet to see an overspray that didn't look worse than the unpolished chrome, but there's new detail products on the market every week.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by doctorspin
[B]Simichrome, Mothers Chrome Polish with 0000 grade steel wool works for me.

Ditto!

In the class I teach on bike repair and maintenance we use 000 steel wool and generic WD-40. Works great and it's cheap.

Quick-Glo We do restoration work and this is the stuff! I have a 60+ year old butchers bike behind me that I just finished and the chrome crank and wheels came out beautiful.

Tooth paste! (Don't laugh) It has a very mild abrasive in it that might be worth a try.

Even crazier ... Coke (Coca Cola). Soak a part in it or soak a rag and place on the rust. I hear that it is a good rust remover. I haven't tried it yet but I'm going to ... I just never have any in the house.

The Boeshield T-9 folks make a product called "Rust Free" that is very good at removing rust. They also make a pretty good chain lube.

Many bicycle restorers will tell you to use brass wool instead of steel wool. The argument is that tiny fragments from the steel wool cling to the frame and then rust.

Maybe...

Anyway, use some automotive chrome polish from the auto parts store - take your pick. Turtle Wax brand works for me. There are plenty more to choose from.

Thanks for the input guys. So far, I can choose between:

Simichrome, Mothers Chrome Polish with 0000 grade steel wool
000 steel wool and generic WD-40
Quick-Glo
Tooth paste
Coca Cola
Boeshield T-9 "Rust Free"
Turtle Wax automotive chrome polish

I'm going to try steel wool with WD-40 and the Turtle Wax polish. I'm also going to look for Quick-Glo and Boeshield but I think it will be hard to find them here in The Netherlands.

After I have removed the rust, what type or brand of wax should I use on a regular basis to prevent or minimize corrosion build-up?

Greetings,
Sp@eder

Hi All-

Reviving an old thread because I have to remove rust from chromed fork caps and I'm even considering getting them rechromed. Coca-Cola does not remove rust. That is silly Cokelore (http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/cokelore.asp) that isn't true. Have folks had success using naval jelly or other metal-specific products? Chrome is very porous and deteriorates easily, so it is something best not applied to bicycles if it was up to me. It does look very attractive.

~ Blue Jays ~

Naval jelly then car wax to protect. That simple.

There was recently a thread about this in C&V. Search for "chrome" and "rust" there and you should find it.

chrome polish, the cheapest you can find, with a soft clean rag

Wad up a lump of aluminum foil. Buff your chrome with the foil. The foil is harder than the rust but softer than the chrome. Also, bits of the aluminum will seal the micro-pinholes made by the rust and inhibit further rust.

Hi All-

Thanks for the quicky flurry of replies. The good news is that the solutions sound like things the average person will find around their house or in the garage. The only item that will require a special trip is the naval jelly...and I'm sure they have that at any plumbing supply store or hardware center. Thanks much for the info!

~ Blue Jays ~