Rusty Frames
 

Are they a bad idea? I recently posted about the National Pinto I found. It is rather rusty in some bits. In particular the top tube. The bike doesn't show any significant structural damage other than the rusty parts. As a matter of fact, if it weren't for the rust, the bike would look like a 7 on a scale of 1 - 10. It's in pretty good shape with shimano parts etc...but thats not the point.

My question is, should I go ahead and bring this home? Maybe get it sandblasted and repainted? I know this doesn't help if you can't see photos, but I promise to head out and take pics of it first thing tomorrow morning.

Anyway, any advice on reviving old, rusty frames would be appreciated.

cheers.

If its surface rust then blast and repaint
If its pitted, metal flaking, cancerous rust, let it go

I personally wouldn't mediablast because I'm cheap. I'd use phosphoric acid and brass wool. Not as good as a job but cheaper

How rusted? Surface rust is no big deal, that can be removed. Rust that has eaten into the metal is more serious. Rusted from the inside out? It's finished.

Photos?

Just ride it 'til it snaps...;)

I promise, photos tomorrow.
I didn't have camera with me on my ride home - which incidently only took my 35 min to ride from DUMBO to East Harlem.

Anyway, the rust doesnt appear to be flaking. I looked it over "fairly" thorough, but I could be mistaken. Seriously, photos tomorrow.

You can remove paint and clean up rust with a wire wheel mounted on a drill.