Surface rust bubbles on Trek
 

Hello all,

I just got a really good deal on an 86 Trek 400 Elance. Its in really good shape but when I got it home I noticed there were a couple bubbling spots. Only 2-3, nothing too major. I just wanted to know what some of you thought about these and if I should worry about it or do anything about it. I peeked in the frame through the seat tube and it looks good in there. Here are some pics.

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/IMG_4283.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/IMG_4280.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/IMG_4281.jpg
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/IMG_4282.jpg

Thanks!
Kevin

It doesn't look significant at all, but it will continue to grow if you don't treat it.

Clean off the rust under those paint bubbles asap and do paint touch ups. Those could only grow to a bigger problem if you do not attend to them right away while they are still not that bad.

Chombi

+1 This is what I had to do on one of mine. In the end, the touch-ups were no worse looking than the bubbling, so I am happy with it.

oxalic bath time!

Careful use of a dremel tool to expose the rust, then either oxalic or a rust converter paint. Oxalic and other rust treatments will not work when the rust is under the paint.

I'm getting my Mclean refinished due to bubbling under the top tube - it's not too bad but it is too widespread to remove paint & rust and touch up I think.

My 86 Elance has the same rust, same spots. My plan is to strip the bubbled area back to shiny steel, treat w/ OA or similar, high build primer and metallic black paint (there is one big spot quarter sized) the others will be primed then touched up w/ touch up paint