Bicycle Mechanics - Rust falling out of head tube

Hi, I didn't manage to find any articles pertaining to my question so i figured I would start a new thread. I recently acquired an old double butted CroMo . I was planning on painting the frame but after I stripped all the paint off I noticed that rust was falling out from the head tube and rear drop outs. Every time I hit the frame rust falls out. Should I continue with my paint job, or is the bike too far gone?

Thank you very much

The paint is going to cost 30 dollars when all is said and done, and I already have the bike stripped and ready to go, I just don't want to put any more time into it if the rust is a problem.

Wash out the frame as best you can. Use some linseed oil to coat the inside of the frame to prevent further rust. Paint. Enjoy.

Read the various rust threads (there are hundreds of them). Personally, I would be treating that frame with oxalic, but then again, I treat several bikes once a month.

I have read many of them, but no one seems to have a bike with rust falling out of it. Everytime I hit the bike a small pile of rust falls to the floor. What should I do?

I have read many of them, but no one seems to have a bike with rust falling out of it. Everytime I hit the bike a small pile of rust falls to the floor. What should I do?

The other option is to use a gas tank sealer kit like this one (http://www.por15.com/CYCLE-TANK-REPAIR-KIT/productinfo/CTRK/). It will eliminate the rust that's in there and coat the inside of the frame to prevent more rust.

Thanks, I will give that a shot. I wonder if autobody shops do this type of work

Thanks, I will give that a shot. I wonder if autobody shops do this type of work

I don't know. I've always done it myself.

Thanks, I will give that a shot. I wonder if autobody shops do this type of work

Not for the budget you have in mind. The cheapest durable option is to powdercoat. One advantage is most strip the bike, then chemically dip it. That would take care of the internal rust. For $100 around here, you would be done, and have a super durable paint job. This estimate does not include any decal or logo work. That can raise the cost quite a bit.

If I had rust falling out of the head tube routinely, I would strip the bike down and treat it with oxalic. I would also pull the BB to do a quick inspection of that area, as the bb is often the first area/worst area for rust (its where any water that gets into the frame ends up).

A general all around rust film that dusts off isn't a big deal. However I'd be trying to check it as best I could to ensure it's not a heavier flaking that indicates some higher level of damage to the tubes you rely on to hold the frame together.

I have found rattley-bits in several old steel frames which I have owned - seat stays, fork blades, etc. I think some of it is leftover crud from frame assembly and some may be rust. If you twang the frame it will fall out from the vent holes and should stop after a bit comes out and no big problem. If it is a lot of rust, then I would take a closer look for a more serious rust problem.