The best thing is not to let your chain get rusty in the first place. Chains for most 6,7,8 speed bikes can be had for $15 to $20 all day long. For me my first choice is to just replace it and the reason is simple. If finished it does not meet the level of 95%+ perfect it will get replaced. If the chain you are trying to save does not have a quik link then that is an extra cost to figure in the time and labor to remove the rust. It would be a different ball game if it was an antique chain being restored and then there would be even more steps taken to restore that chain. This post is only about users.
Step1. Remove chain and place in ultrasonic machine w/heat setting. This machine will be the difference between a couple days or a half an hour.
Step 2. Remove chain from machine and wash in pot til water runs clean, blow dry, lube, then install. I hang on a nail to lube, let soak in and wipe with a lint free rag that is moistened with my lube.
Following are some before and after pics and the product I use to remove rust. If the chain is stretched, replace it, if it is still good and want to move on with the bike, replace it. they are cheap, faster to replace and finished product is as good as it gets. For bikes that are users why bother, but thats just me.
Time is money for me, what I am showing you here took an hour to do, 5min of my time to put on a new chain and better end result.
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"
Note that Evaporust can cause some metal parts to seize. I've soaked chains in and had them come out like this. I would suggest trying to use an Ultrasonic Cleaner to loosen up any fine particle—then oil the chain with your favorite lube—or maybe try dipping it in full synthetic motor oil.
Otherwise, your best bet is to throw the chain away and don't waste your Evaporust.
Try using wax or you may need Rust Inhibitor oil spray to help prevent the chain from flash rusting or normally returning.
(05-04-2025, 02:45 PM)ReapThaWhirlwind Wrote: Nice to see Evaporust being put to good use.
Note that Evaporust can cause some metal parts to seize. I've soaked chains in and had them come out like this. I would suggest trying to use an Ultrasonic Cleaner to loosen up any fine particle—then oil the chain with your favorite lube—or maybe try dipping it in full synthetic motor oil.
Otherwise, your best bet is to throw the chain away and don't waste your Evaporust.
Try using wax or you may need Rust Inhibitor oil spray to help prevent the chain from flash rusting or normally returning.
I do not think you are reading my post and understanding the jist of it. I totally would not recondition a user chain with a value of !5 to 20 bucks worth of chain. and I use ultrasonic cleaners for restoration purposes for rust and degreasing as step 1. I have zero experiences that you have described with evapo-rust and ultrasonic cleaners and I probably think That I deal with this these things more than the average bike guy does. in any scense of imagination.
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"
I understand, but people who are swayed by the potential to renew their chain should have the information that I've added.
I do not restore chains personally. I also toss them.
Although, some chains are not so cheap (11 and 12 speed) that I think even I could be tempted to hotfix the rust this way for an additional season's worth of use.
(05-04-2025, 09:49 PM)ReapThaWhirlwind Wrote: I understand, but people who are swayed by the potential to renew their chain should have the information that I've added.
I do not restore chains personally. I also toss them.
Although, some chains are not so cheap (11 and 12 speed) that I think even I could be tempted to hotfix the rust this way for an additional season's worth of use.
I agree reap, the key is not to let this happen at all, plain neglect. one has to maintain that suits what they need. higher speed chains just wear faster, its the nature of the beast.
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"
(05-06-2025, 09:23 PM)Flowrider Wrote: Again @Painkiller ...you have sooo much to offer us. Set up that website!
needhelponabike.com
Love it, thanks again Flowrider. I am just not savvy enough to pull that off, I have done videos in the past for fun but realized how difficult it is to do unscripted, I must come off pretty boring because one of my friends called me the Bob Ross of bicycles! I am still laughing at that one. There are lots of repair videos out there, After watching a couple of my attempts I was starting to bore myself Lol
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"
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