Evapo-Rust oopsie?
08-15-21, 06:22 AM
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Evapo-Rust oopsie?
My recently acquired Automoto frame came with a nice, completely unmarked, chromed steel stem. I've not yet done any searching (will commence that when Velobase photos are available once again), but I find it unusual that the stem has no marks at all. Might it be custom made?
It had a bit of rust showing under the quill, right behind the clamp nut, so after cleaning it, I dunked it in Evapo-Rust and let it sit overnight. Here's the result. Note the diagonal line separating the soaked section (on the right) from the unsoaked section. Once I noticed that, I completely submerged it overnight in a (somewhat more dilute) solution. The line remains. (This photo was taken after the overnight full immersion soak.) I will get some more Evapo-Rust (to have enough fresh, full strength solution) and set up the polisher, but I wonder if other people have noticed this behavior from Evapo-Rust before? Any advice appreciated.
More pix of the frame and stem in the linked Flickr album above.
It had a bit of rust showing under the quill, right behind the clamp nut, so after cleaning it, I dunked it in Evapo-Rust and let it sit overnight. Here's the result. Note the diagonal line separating the soaked section (on the right) from the unsoaked section. Once I noticed that, I completely submerged it overnight in a (somewhat more dilute) solution. The line remains. (This photo was taken after the overnight full immersion soak.) I will get some more Evapo-Rust (to have enough fresh, full strength solution) and set up the polisher, but I wonder if other people have noticed this behavior from Evapo-Rust before? Any advice appreciated.
More pix of the frame and stem in the linked Flickr album above.
08-15-21, 07:26 AM
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I've had that happen using oxalic or phosphoric acid solutions. I don't think further soaking will even up the staining, but no harm trying.
08-15-21, 07:29 AM
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I’ve seen the same (dunked a chromed frame in half at a time). Took just a little light hand polishing with Simichrome to resolve. Also seen where the side exposed to air slightly rusted near the air/liquid interface. Noticeably different than the fork which was completely dunked.
Also had some light lines on the paint at the interface, but I think they went away when wiping it off before using Scratch-X (either way, gone now).
Also had some light lines on the paint at the interface, but I think they went away when wiping it off before using Scratch-X (either way, gone now).
08-15-21, 09:41 AM
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I’ve experienced this. The line isn’t a stain, it’s pitting from the steel at the air/solution interface being derusted, rusting again, being derusted again, over and over.
I left a fork partially submerged in Evaporust overnight once. It etched a pair of lines on the NR crown race deep enough to feel with a fingernail. Ouch. I was able to sand it back to life but it’s on borrowed time. Also put a black line on the unpainted portion of steerer tube but it had some kind of rust preventative treatment and wasn’t as bad. The painted area was totally unaffected.
There are some threads on practical machinist that discuss this in more detail.
I left a fork partially submerged in Evaporust overnight once. It etched a pair of lines on the NR crown race deep enough to feel with a fingernail. Ouch. I was able to sand it back to life but it’s on borrowed time. Also put a black line on the unpainted portion of steerer tube but it had some kind of rust preventative treatment and wasn’t as bad. The painted area was totally unaffected.
There are some threads on practical machinist that discuss this in more detail.
08-15-21, 10:05 AM
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My recently acquired Automoto frame came with a nice, completely unmarked, chromed steel stem. I've not yet done any searching (will commence that when Velobase photos are available once again), but I find it unusual that the stem has no marks at all. Might it be custom made?
It had a bit of rust showing under the quill, right behind the clamp nut, so after cleaning it, I dunked it in Evapo-Rust and let it sit overnight. Here's the result. Note the diagonal line separating the soaked section (on the right) from the unsoaked section. Once I noticed that, I completely submerged it overnight in a (somewhat more dilute) solution. The line remains. (This photo was taken after the overnight full immersion soak.) I will get some more Evapo-Rust (to have enough fresh, full strength solution) and set up the polisher, but I wonder if other people have noticed this behavior from Evapo-Rust before? Any advice appreciated.
More pix of the frame and stem in the linked Flickr album above.
It had a bit of rust showing under the quill, right behind the clamp nut, so after cleaning it, I dunked it in Evapo-Rust and let it sit overnight. Here's the result. Note the diagonal line separating the soaked section (on the right) from the unsoaked section. Once I noticed that, I completely submerged it overnight in a (somewhat more dilute) solution. The line remains. (This photo was taken after the overnight full immersion soak.) I will get some more Evapo-Rust (to have enough fresh, full strength solution) and set up the polisher, but I wonder if other people have noticed this behavior from Evapo-Rust before? Any advice appreciated.
More pix of the frame and stem in the linked Flickr album above.
08-15-21, 11:05 AM
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Evapo Rust oopsie
I am a big fan of evaporust on but have found , like the OP, its limitations.
Evaporust created an etched line on a simple steel item I soaked for several hours but with a portion above the surface.
The label only recommends 1/2 hour soaks. I think a treated item should be checked every half hour for problems, then.
I have found Evaporust , in a very short time, strips the zinc-plating from any galvanized item. If , for some reason, a "pot-metal"
item is placed in Evaporust the item will essentially dissolve. I have never tried it with cadmium-plated items and will not at this point.
I myself use Evaporust on chromed steel for only short periods and fully submersed or wrapped in soaked paper towels and then
for less than 30 minutes before checking the item. I have otherwise found etched lines or darkening of the chrome.
Evaporust will remove the blueing as used on firearms and 3-piece crank bolts or other small parts.
I cannot recommend it for such items . A product called Kroil can be used instead.
I have had good results on painted steel items but, again, limit the time to a 30 minute soak before checking the item.
Evaporust created an etched line on a simple steel item I soaked for several hours but with a portion above the surface.
The label only recommends 1/2 hour soaks. I think a treated item should be checked every half hour for problems, then.
I have found Evaporust , in a very short time, strips the zinc-plating from any galvanized item. If , for some reason, a "pot-metal"
item is placed in Evaporust the item will essentially dissolve. I have never tried it with cadmium-plated items and will not at this point.
I myself use Evaporust on chromed steel for only short periods and fully submersed or wrapped in soaked paper towels and then
for less than 30 minutes before checking the item. I have otherwise found etched lines or darkening of the chrome.
Evaporust will remove the blueing as used on firearms and 3-piece crank bolts or other small parts.
I cannot recommend it for such items . A product called Kroil can be used instead.
I have had good results on painted steel items but, again, limit the time to a 30 minute soak before checking the item.
08-15-21, 11:29 AM
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My recently acquired Automoto frame came with a nice, completely unmarked, chromed steel stem. I've not yet done any searching (will commence that when Velobase photos are available once again), but I find it unusual that the stem has no marks at all. Might it be custom made?
It had a bit of rust showing under the quill, right behind the clamp nut, so after cleaning it, I dunked it in Evapo-Rust and let it sit overnight. Here's the result. Note the diagonal line separating the soaked section (on the right) from the unsoaked section. Once I noticed that, I completely submerged it overnight in a (somewhat more dilute) solution. The line remains. (This photo was taken after the overnight full immersion soak.) I will get some more Evapo-Rust (to have enough fresh, full strength solution) and set up the polisher, but I wonder if other people have noticed this behavior from Evapo-Rust before? Any advice appreciated.
More pix of the frame and stem in the linked Flickr album above.
It had a bit of rust showing under the quill, right behind the clamp nut, so after cleaning it, I dunked it in Evapo-Rust and let it sit overnight. Here's the result. Note the diagonal line separating the soaked section (on the right) from the unsoaked section. Once I noticed that, I completely submerged it overnight in a (somewhat more dilute) solution. The line remains. (This photo was taken after the overnight full immersion soak.) I will get some more Evapo-Rust (to have enough fresh, full strength solution) and set up the polisher, but I wonder if other people have noticed this behavior from Evapo-Rust before? Any advice appreciated.
More pix of the frame and stem in the linked Flickr album above.
08-15-21, 12:04 PM
#8
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I tried Quick Glo first. That seemed to have no effect. I then pulled out my polishing wheel and hit it first with green, then red sticks. That improved things substantially. There is still a faint line there, but it's much better. Good enough for messing around a few minutes on a Sunday afternoon. Also, just to certain everyone else is on the same page as I am, the initial soak was only for the clamp area. The quill wasn't initially given the spa treatment. I actually liked how that part came out. It's a bit less shiny now. Oh well... If I ever get the itch to do more, I can always return to it. This image is after the polishing wheel and Meguiars.
