Removing rust

**Metalor** · 3rd April 2007, 12:21

Hey guys, just started getting into riding and I love it. Bought a Volty from Mt Eden motorcycles as they are alot nicer than the gn250s (I reckon anyway) and was a good price.

It just has the odd bit of rust on parts of the chrome though that I'm wanting to get rid of. Places like the indicator bars, bolts, and the odd spot on the exhaust etc (is this normal btw?).

What is the best way to go about getting it off? I looked at the motomail website and thought that autosol stuff might do the trick. Any advice is appreciated!

**Pwalo** · 3rd April 2007, 13:08

You could definitely give the Autosol a go. If you have really heavy rust pot scourers (used very gently to start with) can give a reasonable finish.

Some rusting on GN/TU chrome is the norm I'm afraid, but keep on top of it and it shouldn't be an issue.

Do a search on the site and I'm sure you'll find more advice.

**James Deuce** · 3rd April 2007, 13:10

Steel wool and glint works brilliantly. Pun intended.

I had a Kawasaki CSR 250 that was like that. I stripped all the chromed parts off, washed them in warm soapy water using a steelo pad to get all the grime and rust off, and then used Glint and a soft cloth to polish the chrome. Came up really well.

Autosol works really well on alloy. I've found it can dull chrome.

**Crisis management** · 3rd April 2007, 13:16

An angle grinder is especially effective......sets you up nicely for the rat bike look which is achieved after the first bin.

Actually, save on the expense of Autosol etc and go directly to Matt black spraycans.

This may be proof that Jim2 does know more than me..........

**surfer** · 3rd April 2007, 14:04

Lots of elbow grease and autosol works well

**Metalor** · 3rd April 2007, 16:21

Cheers guys. Looks like I've got a bit of work ahead of me! Not too keen on stripping my bike down though... although there is one place where the thread might be starting to rust a little (I think it's on the indicator arms). Is it possible to take most of the rust off without pulling parts off the bike?

Mt Eden Motorcycles said they'd do it, but I thought it might be easier to do it myself.

**James Deuce** · 3rd April 2007, 16:26

Absolutely soak the rusted thread in WD40 or CRC and leave it overnight. Get a good ring spanner set and a good socket set.

**crashe** · 3rd April 2007, 16:36

Go to the $2 shop and buy a packet of toothbrushes (Pkt of 5) for $2.

Use the autosol for chrome (approx $10 a tube at Mitre 10 or bike shops)
1. Use a toothbrush to get to the hard to get places.....
2. Wipe off with a cloth (old soft towel)
3. Then buff it with a soft cloth (old t-shirt)
4. Then a extra buff with a soft polishing cloth.

Do all the bigger areas of chrome with either a toothbrush or a old towel and then repeat 2, 3 and 4.

You will be amazed at how sparkling your bike will look.

**surfer** · 3rd April 2007, 16:40

Originally Posted by Jim2

Absolutely soak the rusted thread in WD40 or CRC and leave it overnight. Get a good ring spanner set and a good socket set.

Give the nut a light tap with a hammer and punch, if it is stuck after you have soaked it.

**Metalor** · 3rd April 2007, 16:44

Awesome! Hopefully I'll be able to get onto it this weekend. So autosol for chrome will take rust off?

**James Deuce** · 3rd April 2007, 16:46

Autosol costs more than a steelo and some elbow grease, and I reckon that rusted chrome comes up dull when you've attacked it with Autosol for Chrome. Just my opinion though.

**Metalor** · 3rd April 2007, 16:58

Don't really want the chrome to be dulled. I'll see if attacking it with steel wool will do the trick. Cheers!

**peasea** · 3rd April 2007, 17:58

Ring Pacer Car Clean Products, 027 478 1296, and see what they suggest for chrome because I too have found that Autosol can dull chrome. I use pacer's chrome and glass polish which is a blue/green cream. I bought a 4l bottle of it ages ago and use it on all the glass in the house (and car) as well as chrome on the bike. The best I ever had for surface rust on chrome was 'Blue Magic', it is also a cream, came in a tube and I think it came from Pioneer Auto Parts. That was ages ago tho.

**Macktheknife** · 3rd April 2007, 18:49

Use steelo first then Autosol or similar product and lots of elbow grease.

**Metalor** · 3rd April 2007, 19:50

Originally Posted by peasea

The best I ever had for surface rust on chrome was 'Blue Magic', it is also a cream, came in a tube and I think it came from Pioneer Auto Parts. That was ages ago tho.

I've found some on trademe, does it sound like the same stuff?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...00&permanent=0