I just found an older chromoly mtb frame that is a little rusty in some parts. I would like to have it sandblasted and then powder coated. If it's just surface rust is it still enough to ruin the integrity of the frame? Anyone have experience building up a rusty chromo frame?
I'll post a few pics soon.

Unless it's something special,why not just start with something decent.Every 'found' Cromo mtb frame I ever dummied into really was just dumpster material.

money is the reason.

Doesn't stripping and powder coating involve money? The real thrifty just use sandpaper,elbow greae and a few rattle cans on rusty junk.

sandblasting and powder coating will cost $30. not a lot of money in my book. after you take the time to sandpaper it down you would have to have it painted or it would rust again and I have a hard time believing you can get a bike painted (quality) for less than $30.

anyone else with some actual information on rusting?

Guess I never heard of sandblasting and powder coating a frame for $30. where does that happen? My reference for quality powdercoating is www.specturmpowderworks.com think $150 is about the base. Minor rust on the outside isn't an issue. Whats inside could be worse.I've seen some that suffered years of abuse and outside storage that weren't worth messing with.

If the frame is really something special it might be worth considering. If the rust is only on the surface, it can be easily removed either by sandblasting or with sandpaper. The problem is if th rust is inside the frame (and it usually is in older steel frames - soetimes just humidity will be enough to roun the frame over long time). If you're using sandpaper bear in mind that it'll take you a long time to get rid of the paint andthe primer. Some sports might be extremely hard to reach, so I think that sandblasting is a better idea. If you can combine sandblasting and painting together, the whole thing should cost less than if you do them separately. In any event, as I said if it is really great frame, worth restoring, go for it. Otherwise, forget about it.

no the frame is nothing special, guess I'll freecycle it.

I rebuilt a rusty (surface rust only) Trek 930 steel frame. The tube set used was true temper OX platinum. I used 60 grit followed by 180 grit sandpaper, rattle can primer, and rattle can ultra flat black paint. The end result was fine, and I ride the bike regularly (4-7 days a week) on rough trails without a problem. What frame are you thinking of redoing?

Here is the thread that describes my build:

https://www.bikeforums.net/mountain-biking/52508-steel-trek-rescue.html

He probably didn't want to say this, but if he's getting it done for $30 - he's got connections.

Not a bad idea, I lived in Ft Myers Fl and things rust like crazy there! My guess was the constant rain and humidity combined with the salty sea air. Chalk it up and get a new bike! What do you plan on riding in that area? primarily street?

I also vote sanpaper, rusty metal primer, top coat. Cheap and if the frame only last a year or two so what. The times I have had a frame media blasted, it was more than $30.

For paint, I found gelled paint remover to work well, 3 applications, 1/2 hour between.

I used Lepage Poly Suppa Strippa. Yes I believe the spelling is correct
-and then wet paper, high grit then #00 steel wool to polish.
-I like clearcoat on steel, easy to repair\repaint.

No I already have a bike, I was just looking to teach myself a little about bike mechanics by building it up.

then by all means, build it up. Don't spend much money. Try recycling as many parts as possible. This forces you to be creative and gives you some insight into how things go together.

FWIW, user SSenorPedro put significant effort into some cheap Murray steel frames. WAY more than they're worth. Yet the results came out kinda nice. Check out the links in his post in this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...murray+cruiser

While I don't necesarily suggest you put this much effort into a old frame, it might give you a idea of what to do if you have a old frame with some potential. If you have something unique that you partiularly like, who are we to say otherwise?

go with the good old sandpaper and then put some rust resistant finish on it

My crappy Peugeot SS was sort of a dumpster find, and its my favorite bike to ride. Nothing special but its a fun bike none the less.

well I put the frame up on my local freecycle sites and there is someone interested in getting it today. if they don't take it though i've decided to build it up, probably a single speed.

Hi
We regularly have bikes powder coated for customers (UK). We use local firms who beadblast the frame first. The cost is about £40 sterling. Make sure they seal the bottom bracket threads first. The powder coat takes some shifting. It's a cheap way of making a hack bike look reasonable.

Aircraft stripper is awesome for removing old paint, compared to the regular kind. It's kind of expensive (approx. $22+ per gal.) but gets the job done in a fraction of the time with minimal sanding. I like to use a two-component epoxy paint, it gives a beautiful finish with no "orange peel" and I like to refer to it as "colored armor plating"!

I'm a professional spray painter by trade, so I have access to spray guns and get to use a $100,000+ paint booth. I'm not trying to gloat or anything like that, but I just lucked out in this area.

I have offered to paint frames for my cycling friends many times, but only a couple of them have ever took me up on it.