Originally Posted by
keelbolts
Ottothecrow, How did you get the rust off the chrome so nicely. I have a Schwinn Sprint that needs just such a treatment. I'd very much appreciate it it if you could give me a reasonably detailed description of what you did. Don't assume I know much as I'm a newby at this stuff. Thanks.
Rust removal was a combination of oxalic acid and steel wool. The cranks got steel wool because I couldn't get them off and the chrome was already flaking (people here hate steel wool but on real chrome, it can't actually damage it...chrome is physically harder than anything in fine steel wool...just be careful on anything that is not real chrome)
The other stuff was soaked on oxalic acid...there are a lot of threads here you can read on how to do it, many link to a vintage bmx forum thread that I read before starting. Basically, I bought a tub of powdred wood bleach (oxalic acid) from ace hardware. Took out the parts I wanted to remove rust from and washed/degreased them fully since oxalic acid won't work on dirty parts. Then I threw them in a tub of hot tap water and through in a few pinches of the powder (maybe a tablespoon or two worth). Let them sit for a while, pull out and scrub with a scrub brush a little and then let sit overnight. Pull them out in the morning and wash clean (neutralize with baking soda if you want).