Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Rusty Inards
#1
First of all, let me apologize if there's already a thread on this. I'm simply far too lazy to go trawling through search results Smile

I've just received a frame, complete with forks, with the intention of building up a bike (never tried it before). Upon inspection I noticed that inside the frame there is what seems like an unsettling amount of rust, plus a few cobwebs and bits of crap.

Basically I'm wondering if this is okay? I'm particularly worried about the bottom bracket area and the crossbar/seat stays where I can't see inside. I've read about soaking the frame in some kind of acid but I don't know if this is absolutely necessary.

Here are some pictures of said frame: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjumJyqz

Any advice/guidance would be much appreciated.

Cheers
  Reply
#2
Oxalic acid is often used for rust removal, you can get it at an autoparts store. You need to make sure that you flush it all out, and then you have to cover the steel with something - paint, under coating or similar - making sure to mask the threads.

Use compressed air (if you have access to an air compressor) or bottle brushes to clean out the tubing.

Before doing any acid cleaning, you need to remove ALL of the components from the frame - so you will have no problem seeing in the bottom bracket and head set areas.

You also need to plan of repainting......

Personally, I would clean it out with dry bottle brushes, and call it good enough.
Nigel
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
New to the Forum - Introduction
Today 05:38 PM
Would you like a pizza after cycling?
Today 02:10 AM
Hardtail as only bike?
Yesterday 05:23 PM
Spoke Count Preference
Yesterday 09:17 AM
Pros & Cons of presta valve vs schrader ...
Yesterday 03:34 AM
Are you mainly into Mountain Biking, Roa...
Yesterday 02:20 AM
New around here
07-11-2026 10:53 AM
Favorite MTB brand?
07-10-2026 03:16 AM
29"front & 26" rear? Thoughts?
07-10-2026 03:13 AM
suspicious broken part after service--is...
07-09-2026 02:45 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Flowrider
27 posts
no avatar 2. meamoantonio
17 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
17 posts
no avatar 4. ReapThaWhirlwind
15 posts
no avatar 5. Mr. Beanz
13 posts