Cleaning the Inside of a Bike Frame?
07-21-07, 12:40 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cleaning the Inside of a Bike Frame?
I recently purchased an older road bike that I plan to restore. I don't believe that the bike has any rust damage (or at least any that I can see) but the bike itself was filthy when I got it. My question is: does anyone know of a way to clean out the inside of the frame tubing? The only things I've come up with are pouring hot water or some kind of cleaner in the tubes (to get rid any dirt or grime that might be inside the frame) or submerging the frame in water. Is there some kind of brush available that is used to clean out bicycle frames or a brush that is used for something similar?
Thanks!
Thanks!
07-21-07, 01:27 AM
#2
institutionalized
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 237
Bikes: Two old Schwinns, Kona Cinder Cone, Redline MonoCog, Custom (U.B.I.) Columbus Cyclocross/commuter.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If there is an entry point you could try bottle brushes. Maybe by extending the handle you could reach further inside. Maybe try an alcohol based cleaner that would evaporate quickly. If you use water, try to evaporate any excess out as quickly as possible. Even if it the bike is filthy it is unlikely that it worked its way too far down the tubes, so be careful that you're not just spreading any dirt further down inside. A little dirt or grease isn't too much concern, but any moisture in a steel frame is bad. Most importantly, after cleaning, I would spray ALOT of FRAMESAVER, or BOESHEILD T9, or even WD-40 into the tubes to coat the metal and evaporate out any excess water.
07-21-07, 05:41 AM
#3
crusty
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Guelph, ON
Posts: 309
Bikes: Giant Kronos, Miele Appolo, Miele 12 spd, Diamondback Hybrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
pick up a shotgun cleaning kit 12 gauge if you are really keen on doing this.
07-21-07, 06:23 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
07-21-07, 08:16 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 393
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I am in the process of getting a vintage motorcycle ('80 Suzuki GS1100, any tips/suggestions, etc. welcome!) back up and running and recently ran across on a website a product for the inside of the gas tank that supposedly chemically stops the oxidation process and leaves a protective coating. I suppose that a person could plug up all but one of the tube ends of a frame and achieve the same result.
