Rusted old chrome handlebar
06-12-25 | 08:41 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Newbie
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Rusted old chrome handlebar
Hello bike lovers, I have an old vintage chrome handlebar that is really old and rusted. I am seeking to restore it but there is no availability of getting it powder coated with chrome or chromed mechanically in my area and I have heard that spray painting chrome is a big myth which does not work. I tried cleaning the rust with some rust cleaning paste and some aluminium foil but it did not protect it and could have even made it worse. Could anyone tell me how I could clean it and protect it from corrosion. I need some solution and my client does not want it to be powder coated any other regular color.
06-12-25 | 09:52 AM
#2
Edumacator
Joined: Jan 2018
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From: Goose Creek, SC
Bikes: More than the people who ride them...oy.
Bar keeps friend is my go to for rusted chrome.
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1987 Crest C'dale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin EL, 1990 Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Isoard, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 C'dale M500, 1984 Mercian Pro, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi ?, 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh Internat'l, 1998 Corratec U+D, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone, 1987 Bianchi Volpe, 1995 Trek 750
1987 Crest C'dale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin EL, 1990 Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Isoard, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 C'dale M500, 1984 Mercian Pro, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi ?, 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh Internat'l, 1998 Corratec U+D, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone, 1987 Bianchi Volpe, 1995 Trek 750
06-12-25 | 10:03 AM
#3
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From: Bastrop Texas
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Best option? Send it off to get re-chromed or replace it with a better one of the same manufacture.
If you are going to sand it clean and paint it then I would suggest using an etching primer, mounting it in the stem, then putting on your final desired coat. If you are going to use a rattle can chrome color note that plain silver enamel is more durable.
If you are going to sand it clean and paint it then I would suggest using an etching primer, mounting it in the stem, then putting on your final desired coat. If you are going to use a rattle can chrome color note that plain silver enamel is more durable.
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06-12-25 | 10:14 AM
#4
feros ferio
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
06-12-25 | 10:33 AM
#5
Tinker-er
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Mid-Atlantic
Bikes: 1956 Rudge; 1981 Miyata; 1994 Breezer; 1987 Raleigh Mtn Trials; 1952 R.O. Harrison; 1994 Concorde; 1949 Rotrax; 1964 A.S. Gillott; Early 60s Frejus; ~1979 RRB track; Unknown Interwar track
Evaporust?
Phil
Phil
06-12-25 | 03:37 PM
#7
Senior Member
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From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Whatever you use, elbow grease, patience and time is key.
My go to is Turtle wax chrome polish and rust remover.
My go to is Turtle wax chrome polish and rust remover.
06-12-25 | 09:11 PM
#8
Senior Member
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From: Sacramento, CA
Bikes: 2017 Sage Skyline, 2015 Co-Motion Periscope Tandem, 2006 Kona Jake, 1978 Richard Sachs, 1977 Peugeot PRN10, 1974 Allegro Schweitzermeister Model 76, 1972 Hugo Rickert Spezial, 1971 Fuji Finest
If really important to re-chrome…..
If this is really important to look good, you can get it rechromed by sending it to St. Louis Family Plating. They do excellent work and their price is reasonable. https://stlplating.com
That being said, a careful cleaning and polishing may do the trick. I recommend using superfine brass wool and a good rust remover for a cleaning and rust removal effort, then a high quality chrome polish. You would be surprised how good it can look after a good cleaning and polishing effort.
That being said, a careful cleaning and polishing may do the trick. I recommend using superfine brass wool and a good rust remover for a cleaning and rust removal effort, then a high quality chrome polish. You would be surprised how good it can look after a good cleaning and polishing effort.
06-13-25 | 05:21 AM
#9
tinkerer
Joined: Mar 2025
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From: Horsham, pa
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Neuvo Racing, Raleigh Sports, Hercules Sports, Catrite Pocket, CatrikeTrail, Raleigh step tbrough, Kent motroized
I have had good luck with all copper scrub pads (chore boys) and mineral spirits. For final polish I use a dremel with a felt tip and white polish. To protect the surface use Collinite Insulator Wax (keeps polished surfaces from corroding). Any deep pits or scratches I regard as patina.
06-13-25 | 06:55 AM
#10
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From: NW Ohio
Bikes: 1984 Miyata 310, 1986 Schwinn Sierra, 1987 Ross Mt. Hood, 1988 Schwinn LeTour, 1988 Trek 400T, 1981 Fuji S12-1977 Univega Grand Rally, S LTD, 1973 Sears Free Spirit 531, 197? FW Evans
06-13-25 | 10:29 AM
#11
Senior Member
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From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Still works and is easy to use, even the old stuff wasn't nasty to work with at all as far as I could tell.
06-14-25 | 06:53 AM
#12
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From: 700 Ft. above sea level.
Bikes: Not as many as there were awhile ago.
Elbow grease, #0000 steel wool and WD-40. When you're finished with that clean it with denatured alcohol then seal it with Krylon Crystal Clear to slow down the return of the rust. If the clear gets looking bad after a while you can easily remove it with paint thinner, remove any new rust and give it a new coat. Here's a good example of its effectiveness.
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
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