Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Cleaning inside of frame after powdercoating?

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Cleaning inside of frame after powdercoating?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-24-11 | 09:42 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: sf bay area
Cleaning inside of frame after powdercoating?

After getting my steel frame powder coated, I noticed that some sand from the media blasting had collected on some grease inside the frame. I definitely don't want to install the bottom bracket without first cleaning this.. How should I go about doing this without damaging the new powdercoat and not rust the inside of my frame?
Apaulo is offline  
Reply
Old 09-24-11 | 10:01 PM
  #2  
cab horn
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 28,353
Likes: 31
From: Toronto

Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione

I would run a bottom bracket tap through, and consider facing the bb. All of this should've been masked off before the powdercoat...
operator is offline  
Reply
Old 09-24-11 | 10:04 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY

Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter

Clean what you can reach with a rag. For the seat tube, make a small wad, and push it through with a stick. Down tube and chain stays tie a string to a corner (securely) push the rag up the tube with a coat hanger, then pull it back with the string.

When you've gotten the worst out, spray some WD-40, or a light solvent/oil mix (10:1) all around and let it drain to the BB overnight and wipe out the residue. Odds are that over time a bit more grit may fall down from places you didn't reach, but unless you use a loose ball bottom bracket withour a plastic liner it won't matter.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site

An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.

Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.

“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN

WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FBinNY is offline  
Reply
Old 09-25-11 | 10:28 AM
  #4  
JohnDThompson's Avatar
Old fart
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,411
Likes: 5,350
From: Appleton WI

Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.

Originally Posted by operator
I would run a bottom bracket tap through, and consider facing the bb. All of this should've been masked off before the powdercoat...
Good idea, but not until the loose grit has been cleaned out. The abrasive grit will wreak havoc on those expensive cutting tools. If there's powder coat on e.g. the bottom bracket faces, use a file to score it so the facer tool can get some traction.

The easiest way to remove the grit is to blow compressed air through the frame.
JohnDThompson is offline  
Reply
Old 09-25-11 | 02:24 PM
  #5  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: sf bay area
Would it be unwise to flush with water if the weather is warm?
Apaulo is offline  
Reply
Old 09-25-11 | 02:30 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY

Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter

Originally Posted by Apaulo
Would it be unwise to flush with water if the weather is warm?
No, but it probably won't do you a ton of good if the grit is stuck in an oil or grease film.

If you want to use water, mix up a batch of strong dishing washing soap and water, and flush with that or use a rag soaked it it. When finished drain the frame and dry completely in a warm place.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site

An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.

Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.

“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN

WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FBinNY is offline  
Reply
Old 09-25-11 | 05:17 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
Likes: 1,119
From: Pittsburgh, PA

Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!

I find a shotgun cleaning rod with a 10-gauge brass bristle brush works well to clean the inside of seattubes. You can wrap it in cloth to increase the diameter if needed and use either solvent or strong detergent to clean out the grit and grease. there are flexible cleaning rods that could be used to clean the inside of the frame tube you don't have straight access to.
HillRider is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kevrider
Bicycle Mechanics
8
06-12-17 10:32 AM
lax
Winter Cycling
8
11-02-16 05:35 PM
rpenmanparker
Road Cycling
0
10-04-15 05:34 PM
Apaulo
Classic & Vintage
0
09-24-11 01:56 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.