Preventing rust from spreading on chrome
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 84
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From: Santa Cruz Mountains, CA
Preventing rust from spreading on chrome
Hi folks,
I noticed a few spots were rust is starting to form on the chrome lugs and I was wondering if there was a way to treat it before it advances further. The pictures make it look worse than it is.
Thanks,
Mike
I noticed a few spots were rust is starting to form on the chrome lugs and I was wondering if there was a way to treat it before it advances further. The pictures make it look worse than it is.
Thanks,
Mike
#2
Senior Member

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,054
Likes: 164
From: Mountain Brook. AL
Phosphoric acid will convert the rust to iron phosphate, a dark grey material which is a good base for paint, might help in the logo
but not for the lug. The rust has destroyed the chrome plating and there is not much you do about that. FWIW coca-cola, pepsi
and similar cola drinks are dilute phosphoric acid solutions and work well as rust convertors. You can look at it on youtube,
and the diluteness would be less likely to damage surrounding painted areas.
The problem is that the rust is occurring under the plating and absent plating removal you can just cosmetically treat it. Of course
mechanical removal also works but is detrimental to the paint and shiny chrome.
but not for the lug. The rust has destroyed the chrome plating and there is not much you do about that. FWIW coca-cola, pepsi
and similar cola drinks are dilute phosphoric acid solutions and work well as rust convertors. You can look at it on youtube,
and the diluteness would be less likely to damage surrounding painted areas.
The problem is that the rust is occurring under the plating and absent plating removal you can just cosmetically treat it. Of course
mechanical removal also works but is detrimental to the paint and shiny chrome.
#4
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Beverly Hills, MI
Bikes: '72 Fuji Finest, '80 Austro-Daimler Inter 10, '06 Fuji Team Issue, '06 Salsa Las Cruces, Nashbar Frame single speed
I use a Brillo or SOS pad. Get it wet and it won't scratch the chrome, but will remove the rust.
#5
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From: Middle of the road, NJ
#6
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