A rusty bike can mess up a supposedly fun cycling event, or take away the bike's overall shine. Do not rush to use professional services to remove bicycle rust. In most cases, you can clean it yourself. Depending on the severity of the rust, you can use household items such as baking soda and vinegar or a cleaning solution to clean it. Once the rust is completely gone, the bike can ride smoothly again.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Baking Soda for Minor Rust
Step 1. Mix baking soda and water in a bowl
Put the baking soda and water in a balanced ratio (50:50) in a bowl and mix until it forms a thick paste. You will need to make enough paste to completely cover the rust, so keep a bowl, baking soda and water nearby in case you need to make more.
- Baking soda is usually best for removing minor rust. On the other hand, moderately severe rust usually requires another method.
- Add lemon juice to the paste to strengthen its cleansing properties.
Step 2. Apply the paste directly on the rust and let it sit for 15 minutes
Use a brush or sponge to apply the paste to the rusty bike. Avoid cleaning or scrubbing the paste directly. Allow some time for the paste to work to break up the rust. Wait for 10-15 minutes.
The baking soda paste should be thick enough to coat the rust evenly without dripping
Step 3. Scrub the baking soda with a scouring pad
Use a plastic scourer or steel wool to scrub the baking soda paste. When scrubbing, the rust should appear to break and come off the bike. If you don't see it, add some baking soda paste and scrub harder.
If you don't have a scouring pad, use a toothbrush instead
Step 4. Wait for 10 minutes before wiping off the baking soda
When you're done scrubbing away the rust, let the baking soda paste sit for 10-15 minutes to get to the stubborn rust. Then, wipe the paste off with a microfiber cloth. Make sure the bike is completely dry to prevent rust from reappearing.
- Store the bike in a cool, dry place to prevent rust from reappearing.
- If there is still rust remaining, repeat this process or try another method.
Method 2 of 3: Using Vinegar for Stubborn Rust
Step 1. Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle
White vinegar is ideal for removing large rust because it is more acidic than other vinegars. It's a good idea to use a spray bottle to evenly spray the vinegar instead of simply patting it on the rust.
Add a small spoonful of baking soda for a more corrosive solution
Step 2. Spray or coat the rust on the bike with vinegar
If you're using a spray bottle, spray the vinegar evenly over the rusty area. Use a sponge or foil ball if you want to apply the vinegar directly to the rust. Aluminum foil is very effective because it can also act as a scrubber when applying vinegar.
If possible, you can soak bicycle parts in a vinegar solution as an alternative
Step 3. Rinse the vinegar off the bike after 10-15 minutes
Vinegar can continue to corrode the bike after the rust has been removed. To prevent this, use a hose to clean the bike once the rust has completely dissolved.
If vinegar doesn't remove rust, you may need a chemical cleaner
Step 4. Dry the bike before putting it back
If the bike is left damp, rust can reappear. Wipe your bike with a cloth dampened with denatured alcohol to remove any excess water. Store the bike in a cool, dry place to prevent rust from coming back.
Method 3 of 3: Try Chemical Rust Cleaners
Step 1. Use a chemical rust remover if other methods don't work
In some cases, household materials are not strong enough to remove rust. Try the baking soda and vinegar method first, but if none of that works, head to a hardware store or bike shop for a chemical rust remover.
Do not mix chemical cleaners with baking soda, vinegar, citric acid, or other cleaners. Some mixtures of these ingredients can be deadly
Step 2. Put on gloves and protective eyewear before handling chemical cleaners
Chemical cleaning products are much harsher than other methods and can hurt your eyes or skin. Read the instruction label carefully before use to make sure you are using it safely. If the cleaner comes into contact with eyes or skin, rinse thoroughly and call emergency services for further instructions.
Do not use chemical cleaners in an enclosed space. Open windows and doors to allow airflow, and leave immediately if you feel dizzy and/or dizzy
Step 3. Apply the chemical cleaner according to the guide with a brush
The waiting time required depends on the chemical product used. The duration can range from 30 minutes to overnight. Read the instructions for use on the packaging carefully and follow them carefully to get the best.
If you need a cleaner that will remove rust quickly, read the label guidelines when shopping and choose the product with the fastest dry time
Step 4. Clean the product when the recommended time has elapsed
Since chemical cleaners are corrosive, wipe clean with an old cloth when the waiting time has elapsed. Store chemical products where you store other cleaning products in case there is rust that needs to be cleaned at a later date.
Discard the cloth used to wipe chemical products so they don't contaminate other fabrics
Tips
- Clean the bike first. Remove all dirt and debris before applying the rust cleaning method.
- Vinegar and baking soda are the least expensive rust removal methods.
- Keep the bike dry and store it in a dark, cool place to prevent it from rusting again.
- Make your bike watertight so it doesn't rust later.
