peeps
Junior Member
Posts: 51
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Post by peeps on Jun 29, 2006 17:50:37 GMT -5
I've got surface rust covering most of my spokes on the front wheel and some surface rust on the wheel as well. Is it okay to use steel wool to get rid of the rust? Something different? Should I paint them when I get rid of the rust or just polish them with something? Any tips would be appreciated.
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Post by krehmkej on Jun 29, 2006 19:43:35 GMT -5
The plating (cadmium or zinc) is gone and they will continue to rust if you can even get them clean while assembled. The only sure fire fix is to replace the spokes. That said, I had fairly good results on an RD125 with rusty spokes. I disassembled the wheels, noting inner and outer spokes. Taking a photo helps, too, in getting it re-laced. Wire brushed the spokes clean, then sprayed them with LPS Zinc Coat primer and then with Eastwood T-Coat paint.
Replacement spoke sets are cheap from Mike's XS.
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Post by oldschool on Jun 29, 2006 21:58:37 GMT -5
Hey peeps, before you do anything drastic try using a product called ZUD on them. It's a powder like Comet cleanser. I have been amazed at what it will do with surface rust. I have used it with a terry cloth tag, and also with fine steel wool for tougher rust. It's not just a deruster, it is also a very good cleaner for whatever road grime is on the wheels. If it doesn't work you're out virtually nothing, so no harm, no foul. I've used it for many years. It should be pretty universally available as I have seen it all over. My son in North Carolina has found it, and I'm in Iowa so it's probably distributed across the country.
Hope it works.
Roy
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Post by 82bobber on Jun 30, 2006 7:01:37 GMT -5
Hi peeps, I'm going through the "Spoke Rust" myself, "why do I always get these ol' bikes with rusted spokes...ahem". Seems the only way out is to buy a new bike LOL. All the ideas given are very good ways to go, since I don't have the cash for new spokes right now I elected the paint route, but painting spokes so they look acceptable is another chore in itself. You don't want to run around with over spray on your rims and hub, are you very good with masking tape and lotsa newspaper?? What I did was remove the front wheel from the bike, removed brake rotor, took the wheel, tire and all over to the water hose and scrubbed the crap outta it with brillo pads to get the rust off the spokes (it will return) then dry the wheel, spokes, etc and start taping the wheel off from the spokes, I had to leave the small part of the rim where the spokes connect subject to paint. Rustoleum flat black cwrinkle looks pretty good after masking is removed, cheapest way i know to make them look fairly acceptable and keep some chrome. jmho
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Post by Mildmitch on Jul 6, 2006 0:35:15 GMT -5
They should clean up real easy with OOO or OOOO Steel wool and WD-40. You'll be surprised at the results. I've done several wheels this way. Chrome anyway.
Mitch
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