Daveyates

How come no one has told me before about the magical cleaning properties in Aluminium foil! I happened to see it by chance while looking for ways of cleaning rust on Youtube and it works amazingly. Just standard aluminium foil scrunched up then dunked in water and plenty of elbow grease works wonders!
Anybody else not heard of this before?

Picchio Special

I've heard of using "aluminum" foil.

Daveyates

Have you ever used it? It is great for polishing metal as well. My Mafac brakes have come up like new.

randyjawa 

Wash as much debris off first for best results and try to keep a clean foil surface available. Been doing this for years and love the results.

And, for what it is worth, foil can be used to polish many surfaces, such as bottom bracket bearing races. Not sure if there are any negative impacts associated with this practice but I have been doing it for years. And not one bearing failure to date. So, at least it does no harm.

This is not a good idea to use on pitted races even though it will make them feel smoother to the touch.

Daveyates

Well i have stripped my new Peugeot mixte down to nut and bolts for cleaning and i have started on the front end and it's coming along brilliant. The chrome on the bottom of the forks had big clusters of rust and now all that is left are just a few tiny dark spots. I'm really pleased with the results!

habes78023 

I do find the use of foil very rewarding. It's physical and there are no chemicals involved. So I can judge myself how hard to rub on some spots and can regulate more of a shine that way.

Grand Bois

It's spelled that way only in the US.

Daveyates

I didn't even notice the little joke ,doh!

Roll-Monroe-Co

What do you meaninimumiumuinum?

jettore

I use my foil with Coca cola. Rumor is the phosphoric acid in the coke will work on removing the rust.

steppinthefunk 

I'd love to try it but just the thought of the sound it makes makes me cringe.
Thin metal on metal to me is like finger nails on a chalkboard for others.

ColonelJLloyd 

Which is the correct way.

Daveyates

Next you will be saying colour is color and jam is jelly.

realestvin7

LMAO. Werd.

On topic, I've been meaning to try this. Also, if Coke can clean crime scenes, it may do something to rust. I hate Coke, so I'll probably never try it. Dr. Pepper is where it's at.

Amesja

The next thing you are going to tell us is that tyres are made of rubbour.

triplebutted

Hey, don't post a picture of my teeth fillings!

triplebutted

BTW, I just soaked my fork with Oxalic Acid which was chromed on the bottom half of my Mercier. Did it for a few hours, got impatient and then started using the foil. Works neat. I'm gonna buff it soon though with a 6" buffer.

brockd15 

I use it occasionally with lemon juice.

southpawboston

Off topic, but are those Phillipe or Belleri "porteur" bars? Whatever they are, they're very nice!

MACAQUE

sometimes i use it to clean my trainers as well...

i mean my sneakers...

Oldpeddaller

Sore subject for me today - literally!

bikesandwich

Oxi clean or magic fix it, either way tiger woods is my hero.

bikel0v3r_lol

INDEED, I HAVE heard of this aluminum related wonder!

ps. to the bozo above me, I salute you

Daveyates

Thanks and yes they are Philippe porteur bars.

wants185s

It also does a nice job on barbeque grill cleanup. When I was a little kid in the '50's an old timer in the neighborhood showed me how well the foil worked on cleaning chrome bumpers on the old cars of the day.