Is a paste of barkeeper's friend carefuly smeared about in a bottom bracket shell an effective way to clean it out and get rid of rust? I was thinking either that or smearing naval jelly all inside it.

I'm just a little wary of damaging the threads.

I do not think smearing an abrasive paste inside your BB is the best idea.

If rust is your issue in there, either linseed oil painted in with a brush after a light
wire brushing to get out the big chunks, or even a light film of grease as you
regrease the bearings ought to work.

You might want to consider replacing your spindle and BB bearings with
a sealed unit if it's a continuing problem.

Regardless, fine abrasives and bearings are a bad mixture.

Gotcha thanks. I don't have a bottom bracket in the shell so I'm just going to squirt some T9 in there and brush away with a brass brush that I have.

A brass brush to clean up any rust that refuses to move (as it is softer than steel)... I generally chase bb threads and then apply a thin film of grease when I re-install the parts to prevent corrosion and make removal easier down the road.

Soaking it in a product called Evaporust for a couple of days worked for me. This BB shell was quite rusty.





More pics of this project on my Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/3915149...th/5189018750/

I liked the stuff so much, I purchased a 5-gallon quantity to do this:



More pics of this project here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/3915149...th/5735724952/

Good luck!
Alex

^^^^^That is a cool frame!^^^^^^

Thanks - I agree. I had to have it, and really went after it. Very happy to have it.

I use a wire brush mounted in a drill to clean things like that. Quick & easy. Don't worry about a steel brush damaging threads in a steel shell -- not gonna happen!

+1!
I do this on every frame when servicing the BB, some frames really need it, but once those shells are cleaned with a wire brush, they shine and the threads work like they should.
Only trick is to find a 1-1/2" wire brush (a nice snug fit in the shell), they are scarce where 2" are common.

Best if you can get a bronze or brass wire brush to be absolutely sure not to damage the steel.