Cleaning different metals + alloys. Chrome, Aluminium, Stainless steel etc.

[koolio]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering what people use to clean different parts of their old school bikes. So far this is what I do and I stay far away from steel wool which is a no no in nearly all cases:

1) Chrome : The easiest, rub with Aluminium foil and water or coke. Not only does it remove the rust there is a reaction with the alu that stabilises and stops rust. Finish off with Chrome polish.

2) Very rusty chrome: Acid such as Naval Jelly, wash off with water and then pray there is no pitting.

3) Aluminium: Clean with a weak citric degreaser (like 1 part lemon 5 parts warm water and a rough sponge), then polish up with a fast rotating tool and solvol autosol.

4) Zinc coated Steel (like many spokes and bolts) - I don't know, I once used a phosphoric acid chrome cleaner by mistake and ruined my spokes, they went black.

5) Stainless steel - yes even stainless can get a little rust, have no idea how to clean it.

6) Steel - Acid clean it and get it zinc electrolysed or cadmium (if you have the cash!)

So there we have it, would love to know how people here do it.

 

[4eyes]

For stainless use Cameo powder, it works pretty good on raw aluminum too. You can find it in most grocery stores in the cleaning stuff isle. They also sell it in restaurant supply stores.

 

[koolio]

Not sure I can buy cameo powder in the UK, is there not a basic product that will do it?

For example I discovered any special chrome cleaner is no way nearly as good as aluminium foil and coke, which not only is soft but the aluminium gives future protection.

Never again will I touch chrome cleaner.

 

[miken5678]

no tiny scratches in the finish on the chrome from the foil? Like the little tiny hairline ones?


Mike

 

[koolio]

no tiny scratches in the finish on the chrome from the foil? Like the little tiny hairline ones?

Mike

On the contrary. The chrome/nickel complex is very hard, aluminium is much softer than the chrome so no scratching whatsoever. It also has a reaction (I forget the chemistry) with any rust forming.

 

[gregajo]

Just tried your directions using coke and aluminum foil on chrome. Works like a charm! I would not have believed it if I hadn't tried it myself. Thanks for the tip.

Another tip I found out about was soaking rusted metal parts for a week in a solution of 1 part molasses to 10 parts water. Also works great.

Cheers

 

[koolio]

It's great isn't it? No more overly aggressive chrome cleaner and cheap as chips! 8) I will never buy chrome cleaner again.

I've yet to find a method or cheap household method for cleaning large stainless, non-stainless and zinc coated steel parts (do not use chrome cleaner!!!). Also I'm sure there is a better method for cleaning aluminium.

Watching this space.

 

[koolio]

Anybody know the proper way to clean zinc on steel?

I know acid is a no no, pretty sure steel wool is a no no (it certainly is a no no on chrome, alu and I think stainless).

I'm dying to clean my spokes properly and don't want them to go black like last time : .

 

[behrboy]

Thanks for the info, trying to find a sticky or something that discusses the best way to restore parts of various compositions. Is there one, or do I just need to piece search it?

 

[koolio]

Erm yea I found the answers on a specific search basis.

On the contrary. The chrome/nickel complex is very hard, aluminium is much softer than the chrome so no scratching whatsoever. It also has a reaction (I forget the chemistry) with any rust forming.

I should add a cautionary note that this is not entirely correct, you can scratch the chrome with the aluminium if you press very very hard and rub fast (which is not necessary anyhow), it is much less abrasive than steel wool however and is totally fine for normal use, I've done several fenders so far.