Hi there all!

I'm completely new to the cycling community, please be nice! As a very poor student who likes old stuff I decided to buy an 1970's Raleigh road bike. Loving the process of cleaning/fixing it up. Just wondering if anyone has some DIY/very cheap tips or tricks about getting rust spots off a bike wheel and frame?

It all depends on how bad and how much rust there is.

For really bad rust you can give it a citric acid bath, and then some light scrubbing with some 000 steel wool.

Or for just some light surface rust, you can use either vinegar or ketchup and some 000 steel wool.

There's other variations but these are the two methods I've had good luck with.

Along the same lines as the suggestions by cbrstar, you can use a bath of oxalic acid. (sold as powdered wood bleach in your local hardware store) Search "oxalic acid" on this forum and you will come up with several very informational threads. I prefer the 3m scotchbrite pads to steel wool, only because they don't leave behind any tiny bits of steel powder that can then itself rust. The green Scotchbrite pad is about the equivalent of 600 grit emery paper. A good coat of wax after rust removal will help to keep the rust from returning.
Brent

welcome to the forums,
to each there own....it all depends on how much rust you have....in the future, i would suggest posting images and doing a google search with "bikeforums" at the end....many answers to almost all the questions being asked.

i never use steel wool to clean chrome or paint....steel is harder than chrome and will leave micro scratches and dull the chrome no matter what liquid that is used as a lubricant....do a google search "aluminum foil and rust removal"

for paint, steel wool will leave metal small particles in the paint.....try 1200 0r 800 grit and a fine rubbing/polishing compound to polish after you have removed the rust. it has been my experience to remove rust from paint one might be better off using O.A. because it will take away the rust without removing any paint that sanding and polishing will.
safest and best is the O.A. mentioned above.

jm2c's, ben

On chrome I use Liquid Wrench and very fine steel wool or Scotchbright. Ive heard of using aluminum foil, too, but never tried it. For painted surfaces, I haven't done much of that, but you might try light rubbing compound, or an automotive cleaner wax, like Maguiers.

For chrome, try wadding up a bit of aluminium foil, and rub it on the chrome. I was shocked at how well this worked.

[MENTION=347046]wgscott[/MENTION] is there a way we should treat chrome that we just removed the rust from? no kidding about the foil btw, load off my shoulders

Beats me. (I didn't do anything else.)

Been using aluminum foil for a long time now. Once the chrome is as clean as I can get it, I apply a coat of good quality wax and leave it at that. Of course, you have to love your bike and re-wax it from time to time, to keep oxidation in check.

Probably at least 500 threads on rust treatment on this forum. Search through Google and you will get access to thousands of opinions and comments.

Rust on wheels typically means steel (chrome) rims. At that point, I am hitting up a co-op or similar and getting some decent wheels with aluminum rims.

Another widely available product that contains oxalic acid is Barkeepers' Friend.

I'd recommend bronze wool or bronze-wire brushes, rather than steel wool -- it's softer and won't scratch the chrome. For really rusty chrome rims, I use a bronze-wire brush wheel on an electric drill. For smaller parts, a bronze-wire brush on a Dremel. Don't forget to wear eye protection!