Rust everywhere, what do?

**racingtothecafe** · 16th June 2015, 21:28

Currently in the process of restoring an old bike and try to give it a more "custom-fighter" look. But the bike has been sitting for a while and there's surface rust everywhere including pretty much every nut and bolt I've removed so far.

The plan is to take the engine, subframe, springs, forks, handlebars, rims, and any other big bits and sandblast+powder coat them. I'm aiming for the blacked out look so needed to do that anyway. Is that enough to properly take care of the rust?

The plan is also to take the small nuts and bolts and screws and drown them in a vinegar bath. But I'm at a loss as to how do I a. Black them out to cover the rusty redness and b. Prevent the rust from returning. Drown them in a bucket of paint?

I'm hoping that people who have battled significant rust issues can point me in the right direction.

Cheers

**mossy1200** · 16th June 2015, 21:38

Originally Posted by racingtothecafe

Currently in the process of restoring an old bike and try to give it a more "custom-fighter" look. But the bike has been sitting for a while and there's surface rust everywhere including pretty much every nut and bolt I've removed so far.

The plan is to take the engine, subframe, springs, forks, handlebars, rims, and any other big bits and sandblast+powder coat them. I'm aiming for the blacked out look so needed to do that anyway. Is that enough to properly take care of the rust?

The plan is also to take the small nuts and bolts and screws and drown them in a vinegar bath. But I'm at a loss as to how do I a. Black them out to cover the rusty redness and b. Prevent the rust from returning. Drown them in a bucket of paint?

I'm hoping that people who have battled significant rust issues can point me in the right direction.

Cheers

You need buy a polishing rattler thingy often called a bolt tumbler. Not sure who sells them in NZ but someone will tell you soon.
Or make one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfIKAKePnhY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGT20ghWMZA

**AllanB** · 16th June 2015, 21:39

Errrrrr rust. evil stuff.

Somewhere in the boxes in my shed is a Selleys rust killer product that worked really well - kills it off.

After that is up to you but if rust over chrome painting it raises issues with sticking to the 'good' chrome.

Whats the budget - swapping out the shit bolts will Allen head stainless is pretty.

Or darth the lot in shades of black.

**pete376403** · 16th June 2015, 22:16

A restoration thread I read a while ago mentioned the use of zinc plating to get the factory look on nuts and bolts and other small steel parts. Looked real good afterwards. Theres a good description here :http://www.triumphrat.net/classic-vi...g-at-home.html doesn't loo to difficult although as with all plating, preparation is the key,

**skippa1** · 16th June 2015, 22:25

Take a look here http://www.pro-bolt.com/vaf/product/...1152&x=48&y=19
not cheap but very good.

**Tazz** · 17th June 2015, 12:24

Drop them in some coke for a few days.

One of the jewellers at work also runs a D/C current through old tools (is the bomb on old rusty files) in the sink, with washing soda in there as well (I think you might be able to use baking soda). Think if you google electrolysis you might find a bit on it.

For turning it black again you can do an oxidization process. There are a few different methods.

**ellipsis** · 17th June 2015, 12:49

...I recently used a rust killer that turned all the rust black and like glass...maybe that's an option......

**racingtothecafe** · 17th June 2015, 14:50

Thanks for the ideas everyone.

Originally Posted by mossy1200

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGT20ghWMZA

That is insane. Very tempted to give it a try. Same situation as the guy in the video, compiling a collection of rusty parts of all shapes and sizes. The tumbler probably is the best option since I can just chuck a whole lot of random bits in there and let it do its thing.

**p.dath** · 17th June 2015, 14:59

Originally Posted by mossy1200

You need buy a polishing rattler thingy often called a bolt tumbler. Not sure who sells them in NZ but someone will tell you soon.
Or make one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfIKAKePnhY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGT20ghWMZA

That looks just like a stone polishing machine. Wilderness Gem's in Ngatea sell these.
http://maps.aa.co.nz/browse/retail+%...ilderness+gems

**Tazz** · 17th June 2015, 15:05

Originally Posted by racingtothecafe

Thanks for the ideas everyone.

That is insane. Very tempted to give it a try. Same situation as the guy in the video, compiling a collection of rusty parts of all shapes and sizes. The tumbler probably is the best option since I can just chuck a whole lot of random bits in there and let it do its thing.

Yeah, maybe watch a few more of his vids before you jump to any conclusions aye...

**Banditbandit** · 18th June 2015, 10:13

Originally Posted by racingtothecafe

The plan is also to take the small nuts and bolts and screws and drown them in a vinegar bath. But I'm at a loss as to how do I a. Black them out to cover the rusty redness and b. Prevent the rust from returning. Drown them in a bucket of paint?

Cheers

Sounds like your on the right path. Sandblasting and then re-coating should fix the rust issues. Make sure all the brown has disappeared and has not weakened any of the metal. If you are doing the coating yourself make sure you get very good coverage. The coating will prevent air getting to the metal - it's the oxygen reacting with the metal that causes rust - so the coating prevents that occurring,.

On all my projects I replaced all the nuts and bolts .. you can buy black ones from most hardware and tools shops. I replaced them because older nuts and bolts start to get worn threads ... and if they are already rusty, then best to be safe ...

Originally Posted by Tazz

Think if you google electrolysis you might find a bit on it.

I googled electrolysis - Got this as the top site ... interesting ...

http://caci.co.nz/electrolysis?gclid...SvbRoCq27w_wcB

**Tazz** · 18th June 2015, 10:23

Originally Posted by Banditbandit

Sounds like your on the right path. Sandblasting and then re-coating should fix the rust issues. Make sure all the brown has disappeared and has not weakened any of the metal. If you are doing the coating yourself make sure you get very good coverage. The coating will prevent air getting to the metal - it's the oxygen reacting with the metal that causes rust - so the coating prevents that occurring,.

On all my projects I replaced all the nuts and bolts .. you can buy black ones from most hardware and tools shops. I replaced them because older nuts and bolts start to get worn threads ... and if they are already rusty, then best to be safe ...

I googled electrolysis - Got this as the top site ... interesting ...

http://caci.co.nz/electrolysis?gclid...SvbRoCq27w_wcB

http://www.familyhandyman.com/worksh...lysis/view-all