Devotion

Gang,
The chrome on the rear triangle and fork of my new project has LOTS of really caked on surface rust. I can chip a lot of the flecks off with a fingernail...OOOO steel wool would make short work of it. But will it leave visible scratches on my beautiful frame?

Cyclist0383

As it's used for polishing metals such as brass I highly doubt it would leave any scratches. Try a small patch on the inside of the triangle first if you're worried about it.

ronzorini

I've had bad luck using 0000 steel wool on chrome stays and forks. (Maybe I'm too heavy-handed.) It doesn't really scratch the chrome, but leaves a dull haze that can't be buffed out. (of course, if the rust is so bad that it flakes off, it probably wouldn't matter)

Try some oxalic acid (or molasses!). You don't have to disassemble your whole bike. Angle your bike while its clamped in a stand and dip just the chrome part of the stays/fork in a bucket of the solution. Or, you can soak a rag and wrap it around the chrome, then cover tightly with saran wrap so it doesn't dry out.

infinityeye

try brass wool too!

Stacey

Chore-Boy pot scrubbers. You'll find them at the grocery in the dishwashing soap aisle. Spray the area down w/ WD-40 let it sit a while then take to it with the scrubber. Follow up with Turtle Wax chrome polish and Nevr-Dull.

I've used this method for years with great success. The only piece it ever damaged was on an an experimental item... A chrome plated headlight shell. It just denuded the plastic.

Soil_Sampler

see if a Scotch-Brite pad will work?

https://www.3m.com/us/home_leisure/sc.../scrubber.html

Stacey

I've tried the green ones, IMO they are too rough. The Chore-Boy is much more malleable too, they'll get into the corners nice.

mparker326

I've cleaned up plenty of bikes with steel wool and never had a scratching or dulling problem. If you've got some sitting around give it a try in an inconsipicous spot.

Rabid Koala

Scotch Brite will scratch and dull chrome.

tradtimbo

I've used aluminum foil to buff rust off chrome with excellent results.

lotek 

Brass wool is softer than the chrome you're working on. It will effectively remove the
rust but not scratch the chrome surface, works a treat as our british brethren would say.

Marty

Stacey

There are two schools on this.

Those who have ruined chrome with steel wool and those who will.

cyclotoine

I use 0000 Steel wool on chrome but don't go crazy. It's made for finishing wood right before you put a stain or shellac or whathaveyou one it. It's not even meant for metal applications. I love it for buffing alluminum right before you go to the polish.

However, if I could find super fine brass wool I would use it but I can only find annoyingly course brass wool for washing dishes and such.

ridethecliche

I fall into the former, unfortunately.

Though I still ended up flipping that bike for a profit hehe.

Stacey

Me too, that's why I champion against it.

J T CUNNINGHAM

+ 1


Regards,
J T

Lion Steve

I've used 0000 steel wool on some lightly rusted chrome rims with good success. They look brand new except for a few larger pits that are too deep to come out.

Sprint75

I'm a fan of wadded aluminum foil and wd40. It's worked well for me, never scratches. But, if the rust is really thick, there may not be any chrome left underneath to worry about.