Bicycle Mechanics - Is there anything you can use on the external parts of a frame to prevent rust?

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bryroth
02-13-09, 02:20 PM
I'm about to buy a steel road bike. I do not have the know-how yet to successfully pull all the parts off, rust-proof the frame, and then put them back on again.

Everything that I have read says to spray some brand of rust-proofing into the tubes themselves. However, I was wondering if there were an way to avoid that removing the cranks and everything to get to the bottom bracket. Is it possible to just wax it or something like that?

Or maybe just spray a ton of the rustproof down the seat-tube? Although I doubt that it would evenly distribute at that point.

Thanks!

GV27
02-13-09, 02:29 PM
Removing the BB and cranks isn't a big deal.

For the paint:

http://www.autobarndeals.com/catalog/tucapawax14o.jpg
AEO
02-13-09, 02:42 PM
there's usually a hole at the bottom of the BB to let the frame drain out.
unplug this hole first, then you can spray frame saver into the bottle cage bosses, downtube shifter bosses, seat tube and pin holes in the chainstays, but I don't recommend it unless your BB is a cartridge or outboard.

wrk101
02-13-09, 03:44 PM
Bottom bracket area is often the first place for rust, so I would remove the crankset. Plus 1: It is no big deal to pull it.

And not all steel bikes have bb drain holes. My Trek 950 for example, which I had to treat last year to remove rust.

Before and after oxalic acid bath.

For more info, just search for oxalic acid.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2928844131_22946402f7.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2928844565_f0727a7c91.jpg
San Rensho
02-13-09, 04:45 PM
If your BB is not drilled, then definitely drill a nice big hole in the bottom of it. Probably the best thing to keep rust out of the frame.
bryroth
02-14-09, 07:45 AM
there's usually a hole at the bottom of the BB to let the frame drain out.
unplug this hole first, then you can spray frame saver into the bottle cage bosses, downtube shifter bosses, seat tube and pin holes in the chainstays, but I don't recommend it unless your BB is a cartridge or
outboard.

Bikepedia describes the bottom bracket this way:

Bottom Bracket Sealed cartridge
BB Shell Width 68mm English

So I can use the method described above?
tellyho
02-15-09, 07:58 AM
So I can use the method described above?


You won't know until you get the bike. I've flipped quite a few bikes and have yet to see a really bad case of BB rust.

Best way to prevent external rust is to make sure that your paint is intact. Touch up where necessary with car touch up paint or nail polish.