surface rust on bolts clean up
09-15-15, 01:56 PM
#1
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surface rust on bolts clean up
This is my first post in a regular forum so I hope I landed in the right place.
My bike is virtually rust free other than some bolt heads having some surface rust. Is there any way to deal with this and clean them up shiny new?
My bike is virtually rust free other than some bolt heads having some surface rust. Is there any way to deal with this and clean them up shiny new?
09-15-15, 02:03 PM
#2
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Evapo-Rust is great for stuff like that. Just remove the bolts, submerge overnight to remove the rust, and reinstall.
09-15-15, 02:04 PM
#3
Licensed Bike Geek
If they're easy to replace bolts; stem bolts, handlbar clamp bolts, etc., I'd suggest replacing those bolts with stainless bolts, available commonly at good hardware stores, Ace Hardware. etc.
Stainless bolts = minimum maintenance.
Stainless bolts = minimum maintenance.
09-15-15, 02:40 PM
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I have also found them on eBay; even the Chinese ones work well enough...
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09-15-15, 02:43 PM
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If it's just surface rust, just scrape it off. If it returns, scrape it a second time. If you don't want it to return, paint it. (A clear coat is okay.)
09-16-15, 01:05 AM
#7
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I just went and gave my bike a look over, however, it is nighttime and dark and my garage only has so much light. Anyway, most of the bolts look pretty good the problem seems to be with ... the bolts coming out of the sides of the brake calipers. They have a phillips head ... i assume they are used for adjustment of the spring inside there? You can tell I'm not a bike mechanic and I'm sure not gonna remove them to replace i'll probably end up doing more harm than good 
09-16-15, 08:52 AM
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I just went and gave my bike a look over, however, it is nighttime and dark and my garage only has so much light. Anyway, most of the bolts look pretty good the problem seems to be with ... the bolts coming out of the sides of the brake calipers. They have a phillips head ... i assume they are used for adjustment of the spring inside there? You can tell I'm not a bike mechanic and I'm sure not gonna remove them to replace i'll probably end up doing more harm than good
09-16-15, 09:36 PM
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You can soak rusty things in a solution of oxalic acid to get rid of the rust. "Barkeepers Friend" powder contains oxalic acid, it's $2 or so at the grocery store. It works wonders on old chromed steel parts, they usually come out looking brand new after an overnight soak.
09-17-15, 06:18 AM
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Evapo-Rust is great for stuff like that. Just remove the bolts, submerge overnight to remove the rust, and reinstall.
09-17-15, 06:43 AM
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A phosphoric acid soak, such as coca cola, pepsi or any cola will convert the rust to iron phosphate, a black substance that is fairly protective
and a good base for paint. You can buy phosphating rust converters also. A lot of acids will remove rust, but most will not passivate the surface
like phosphoric does. Evaporust uses EDTA to remove the rust to bare metal and does not passivate the surface, but works well. A battery
charger and an alkali will also work, though alkalis by themselves do not.
and a good base for paint. You can buy phosphating rust converters also. A lot of acids will remove rust, but most will not passivate the surface
like phosphoric does. Evaporust uses EDTA to remove the rust to bare metal and does not passivate the surface, but works well. A battery
charger and an alkali will also work, though alkalis by themselves do not.
09-17-15, 07:00 AM
#13
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Those screws are the caliper arm pre-load spring adjustment. They independenly provide the right tension to keep your v-brakes roughly centered around the rim. If you intend to remove them, try some adjusting and observing first, so that you get the knack of what they do. The two screws work in tandem, roughly, so as you loosen one the opposite side pad gets closer to the rim. You'll see.
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