Non-damaging removal of rust from chromed parts.

Grewth · Apr 7, 2024

I've got quite a collection of chromed parts, where the chrome is in presentable condition, but the reverse side has a good layer of surface rust.
Both the mudguards ( just picked up a nice rear one), the headlamp rim, rear unit shrouds (XS1B), and the tail lamp mounting.
Lots of bits in fact. I know that this wouldn't bother most folk, and I could just ignore the rust, or even slap a thin layer of grease over it.
But what I'd really like to do is chemically remove the rust then apply some sort of neutral coloured primer, maybe silver grey ?
I'm just wondering what will strip the rust without damaging the chrome ?
I know that a lot of rust stripper is acid based, and I can remember what battery acid did to the chrome on some of my bikes.

5twins · Apr 7, 2024

You might try plain old vinegar. The parts will flash rust rather quickly after that so get right on the painting.

mike in idaho · Apr 7, 2024

Electrolysis works on rusty chrome too.

Mikey · Apr 7, 2024

5twins said:
You might try plain old vinegar. The parts will flash rust rather quickly after that so get right on the painting.

Vinegar is cheap :agree:

and safe to work with

Jan_P · Apr 7, 2024

Wire brush -- Wipe with solvent --- and paint silver primer ?

cycleranger · Apr 7, 2024

I believe Evap-o-rust is safe for chrome.

5twins · Apr 7, 2024

Yes, that's good stuff, but I'm not sure he can get it in the UK? It's also not cheap.

Signal · Apr 8, 2024

Try Citric Acid on a test piece. It comes in powder form from Garden supply shops. Also 0000 wire wool and oven cleaner works but needs elbow grease.
I would be wary of electrolysis and chrome. I believe there are toxic by products and it would be difficult to only do one side of an item.

bosco659 · Apr 8, 2024

As suggested vinegar is ok but I find it slow and I don’t like the flash rusting. If you can find Evaporust or equivalent that would be your best bet. Electrolysis on chrome parts isn’t a good idea because of the toxic by products. Quick and fairly easy is wire brush, degrease and a coat of POR15 then spray or brush a top coat to prevent the POR15 from discolouring.

Grewth · Apr 8, 2024

5twins said:
Yes, that's good stuff, but I'm not sure he can get it in the UK? It's also not cheap.

Yeah I had that problem when I tried to buy "aircraft stripper "
It was still available in the US at the time but banned in the UK, and nobody would ship it from the US

Grewth · Apr 8, 2024

Mikey said:
Vinegar is cheap and safe to work with

I got hold of a gallon of "non brewed condiment " once upon a time (probably thirty years ago), it's the concentrate that they make vinegar from in Fish and Chip shops.
Now that stuff was not safe to work with, but I bet it would dissolve rust in minutes.
Probably impossible to get hold of now unless you're in the trade

Jim · Apr 8, 2024

https://www.xs650.com/threads/phosphoric-acid-for-rust-on-chrome-parts.58237/

40north · Apr 8, 2024

diet Coke/diet Pepsi and scotch brite or maybe something less liable to scratch... the diet coke is for this purpose a dilute maybe buffered (dunno 4 sure) solution of phosphoric acid salts....eats rust. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphoric_acid Whether or not it's a good idea... no idea about that. Anyway we keep a bottle on the chemical shelf for the rust chemistry problems,,,and also keep Kroil and wintergreen...

jetmechmarty · Apr 8, 2024

I just tried Evaporust for the first time. It’s definitely safe for chrome. $30 per gallon. My phosphoric acid solution is much cheaper.

Its been a long time · Apr 8, 2024

5twins said:
Yes, that's good stuff, but I'm not sure he can get it in the UK? It's also not cheap.

I bought this over the weekend, below. Probably similar stuff. There's a few brands readily available here but this was delivered next day from the makers and postage free. So I'll be giving this a go later this week on some generally rusty stuff and probably some chromed stuff.

jetmechmarty · Apr 8, 2024

Its been a long time said:
I bought this over the weekend, below. Probably similar stuff. There's a few brands readily available here but this was delivered next day from the makers and postage free. So I'll be giving this a go later this week on some generally rusty stuff and probably some chromed stuff.

View attachment 322854

Orthophosphoric acid

Its been a long time · Apr 8, 2024

jetmechmarty said:
Orthophosphoric acid

I'm prepared to say you're correct :laugh:

Non-damaging removal of rust from chromed parts.

Grewth

XS650 Addict

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5twins

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mike in idaho

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Mikey

got muscles in his head that ain't never been used

Jan_P

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cycleranger

Generally Ok.

5twins

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bosco659

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Grewth

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Grewth

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Jim

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40north

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jetmechmarty

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Its been a long time

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jetmechmarty

Project collector

Its been a long time

Doesn't know nothing.

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