How to remove rust from the bottom of the seat tube
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
How to remove rust from the bottom of the seat tube
While changing my seat post I saw that there were rust in the seat tube all the way down to the bottom bracket area. I managed to clean almost all the rust with a steel wool but I couldn't reach the junction of the bottom bracket and seat tube with the wool. Because of the cylinder shape of the bottom bracket and seat tube junction some rust were piled up there and I would like to clean off that part too for peace of mind. How can I do that without removing the bottom bracket? I don't have the tools for it.
I have read that there are some products for rust but as I won't be able to reach that part , rust and used product will remain there?
What are my options? What should I be doing?
I have read that there are some products for rust but as I won't be able to reach that part , rust and used product will remain there?
What are my options? What should I be doing?
Likes For Barry2:
#3
Junior Member
If you're really worried about it, turn the frame upside down and use a rifle cleaning rod with a 10 gauge brass bristle cleaning brush attached. Plenty of penetrating oil, then clean with cotton patches attached to the rod.
Or just take out the BB...
Or just take out the BB...
Likes For NVFlinch:
#4
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,999
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6196 Post(s)
Liked 4,812 Times
in
3,320 Posts
Surface rust is a built in defense mechanism for steel. Don't worry about it. Maybe just drip some lube or other petroleum based preservative. My steel bikes all had surface rust on the entire surface inside every tube I could see into. They'll last a long time if you just make sure the bike is kept in a dry environment most of the time and it's drain holes aren't blocked and preventing them from eliminating any moisture that gets in.
#5
Newbie
Thread Starter
I can't find gun related products where I live as it's forbidden to have gun but it gave me an idea to look for a similar kind of stuff.
#6
Newbie
Thread Starter
would it be ok to dripping preservative on top of existing rust? Now it seems fine but I am just worried it would be more serious problem in the future.
Last edited by cemark; 03-13-24 at 03:00 PM.
#8
LR÷P=HR
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 2,180
Bikes: 1981 Holdsworth Special, 1993 C-dale MT3000 & 1996 F700CAD3, 2018 Cervelo R3 & 2022 R5, JustGo Runt, Ridley Oval, Kickr Bike 8-)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 867 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
694 Posts
Guys,
The photo is showing the 1/2" hole in the top of the BB (shell). The seat tube is then attached over the top of that 1/2" hole in the shell.
If you remove the BB cups, bearings and axle, what do you plan on doing through that 1/2" hole ?
Barry
The photo is showing the 1/2" hole in the top of the BB (shell). The seat tube is then attached over the top of that 1/2" hole in the shell.
If you remove the BB cups, bearings and axle, what do you plan on doing through that 1/2" hole ?
Barry
Likes For choddo:
#10
LR÷P=HR
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 2,180
Bikes: 1981 Holdsworth Special, 1993 C-dale MT3000 & 1996 F700CAD3, 2018 Cervelo R3 & 2022 R5, JustGo Runt, Ridley Oval, Kickr Bike 8-)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 867 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
694 Posts
Bamboo/dowl & a pipecleaner = no need to remove the BB.
#11
Newbie
Thread Starter
That's the problem. Removing the BB only helps being able to get rid of if any residue coming after seat tube cleaning goes through that small hole. Besides that I can't reach bottom of the seat tube from that little hole through BB. I tried that several months ago when I had the same rusting problem in the seat tube.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 2,266
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 714 Post(s)
Liked 800 Times
in
475 Posts
Just spray some frame saver or a similar waxy product into the tube. All you need to do is prevent oxygen from getting to the rust. Without oxygen, there can be no further iron oxide(rust)
#13
Newbie
Thread Starter
Based on all of your suggestions I found exactly what I need but only problem is how to reach to the end of the seat tube. I need to attach this to some kind of stick that will hold it steady and also swirl when I twirl the stick too.
But in any case, even I can't manage to get rid of the rust I will definitely use a frame saver substitute as I can't find it where I live.
But in any case, even I can't manage to get rid of the rust I will definitely use a frame saver substitute as I can't find it where I live.
#14
Senior Member
Everything said above is valid; That appears to be a tiny amount of rust, and you could spray something to prevent further rust, WD-40 actually works well at that, I sprayed the inside of the frame tubes of my steel folding bike with that. But if the rust is bothering you, get a small paint brush or disposable "acid" brush (just looks like small paintbrush), attach to the end of a long stick, and paint the rusted area with "Ospho", which is a mild phosphoric acid solution, not dangerous if you get on your hands, just wash it off. Ospho will turn red rust to black iron phosphate, helping stop the rust. On bare steel that is not stainless, it will turn it a flat gray, this is a mild version of "Parkerizing", the flat gray finish on steel firearms by the USA military in the 20th century. Ospho is not a huge barrier to rust, it is often used to stop rust before painting, supposedly you can paint right over it, but I found that the paint will "bubble" if the Ospho is not dry for about a week. I still like to use primer over the Ospho, my preference is Rustoleum brand "rusty metal primer", and then paint.
Likes For Duragrouch:
#15
Senior Member
Based on all of your suggestions I found exactly what I need but only problem is how to reach to the end of the seat tube. I need to attach this to some kind of stick that will hold it steady and also swirl when I twirl the stick too.
But in any case, even I can't manage to get rid of the rust I will definitely use a frame saver substitute as I can't find it where I live.
But in any case, even I can't manage to get rid of the rust I will definitely use a frame saver substitute as I can't find it where I live.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,795
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3514 Post(s)
Liked 2,927 Times
in
1,776 Posts
Likes For smd4:
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 18,097
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4210 Post(s)
Liked 3,879 Times
in
2,315 Posts
Evapo-Rust will convert the rust to a benign substance without harming any other materials. It is available in local hardware stores. Andy
The Best Rust Remover | Quick & Easy with CRC's Evapo-Rust®
The Best Rust Remover | Quick & Easy with CRC's Evapo-Rust®
__________________
AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
#18
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,999
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6196 Post(s)
Liked 4,812 Times
in
3,320 Posts
Good safety habits mean you won't have to consider whether any particular circumstances are a large enough potential hazard or not. Safety glasses are a good suggestion.
Likes For Iride01:
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,795
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3514 Post(s)
Liked 2,927 Times
in
1,776 Posts
Of course! I wear 'em all the time! Never know when an errant toenail clipping might pierce the ol' cornea!
#20
Newbie
Thread Starter
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I will buy that adapter and will try to stick it to a metal or some kind of a stick and will do my best to get rid of the rust. I know that even at this state this frames will outlive me but my mild ocd keeps reminding me there is some kind of a flaw with my bicycle. Unfortunately this bicycle is my most valuable thing and I love to take care of my bicycles.
After the cleaning I will either use Evapo-Rust, if I can find, or use a rust protective primer spray for metals that I found close by hardware store.
After the cleaning I will either use Evapo-Rust, if I can find, or use a rust protective primer spray for metals that I found close by hardware store.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,909
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4806 Post(s)
Liked 3,932 Times
in
2,557 Posts
I guess I am missing something. I simply ask that my frames get frame-saved when painted or do it myself with AMD Heavy Duty Metal Protection. Clean up whatever gets on the paint, reassemble and ride. I am not enough of a weight weenie that I obsess over the grams of rust I am carrying around. Oh, I might do a little wiping or light sanding of what I can reach easily inside the BB simply to be putting the BB cups or cartridge in a cleaner place, but again, zero obsession.
All that work inside the seat tube? Who's going to know? Are you lifting the seatpost out or pulling the BB cups at the club ride espresso stop?
Actually I love that each can do what works for them. And I did just purchase, had a crack repaired and am now going to prep and paint the heat affected area of a 40 yo frame that is an exact match to one I am going to retire because of rust - but that retiring frame was left outdoors a LONG time before I got it. Real rust damage. All time sweet ride so I jumped when a rust free one showed up - with a different issue.
All that work inside the seat tube? Who's going to know? Are you lifting the seatpost out or pulling the BB cups at the club ride espresso stop?
Actually I love that each can do what works for them. And I did just purchase, had a crack repaired and am now going to prep and paint the heat affected area of a 40 yo frame that is an exact match to one I am going to retire because of rust - but that retiring frame was left outdoors a LONG time before I got it. Real rust damage. All time sweet ride so I jumped when a rust free one showed up - with a different issue.
#23
Senior Member
I also forgot, besides Ospho, I have some "Phosphoric Acid Cleaner", which disolves rust instantly, I used it on a new carbon steel skillet that I was going to heat-blue, but then just rinsing that off and there was fine surface rust almost immediately, needed to dry it in seconds.
I looked up the Safety Data Sheet for Evapo-Rust, and besides 80% water (normal), the other 20% was "Proprietary secret ingredient", I was wondering if it was phosphoric acid.
I looked up the Safety Data Sheet for Evapo-Rust, and besides 80% water (normal), the other 20% was "Proprietary secret ingredient", I was wondering if it was phosphoric acid.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,727
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5793 Post(s)
Liked 2,590 Times
in
1,436 Posts
Note, didn't read every post, so sorry for any duplication.
Why bother?
The damage, if any, is already done. Removing the rust won't change that. Moreover, removing what's left of the natural oxide layer only invites more rust.
Leave bad enough alone. Apply a waxy oil using a wadded up rag and a stick, to prevent new rust, then forget about it.
Why bother?
The damage, if any, is already done. Removing the rust won't change that. Moreover, removing what's left of the natural oxide layer only invites more rust.
Leave bad enough alone. Apply a waxy oil using a wadded up rag and a stick, to prevent new rust, then forget about it.
Last edited by FBinNY; 03-14-24 at 06:54 PM.
#25
Senior Member
(above) I agree. But sometimes a doctor humors a nervous patient. Or lets them check that light switch a third time to see that it's off. I get OCD.