Spoked wheels rust

Dim87

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Hello to all,
I am seeking advice (if any) on how to remove rust from my spoked wheels.
The nipples seem to be in a really bad condition despite treating the bike with ACF50 and no winter riding. I suppose this is result from previous owner.

Any advise?

ce04b253920097b26fc9ebd368784eb1.jpg
 
ACF50, brushed on the outside and in the socket orifices. It has a rust inhibitor mixed in, so over time it will neutralise any surface rust.
 
Clean off for acf50 and give them a little lick of paint.

You could use hammerite smooth or, my choice, would probably be some humbrol enamel

You could go black or silver. You just need to cover up the rusty bits.


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Ear bud with a little autosolve to shine them up and then a clean ear bud with ACF50 and they’ll be good as new :thumby:
 
When i took my alloy bike wheels to my power coater, they said they could easily powder coat spoked wheels.
costs around 50 to 60 per wheel in removing and replacing tyres. They acid dip 1st then powder coat.

My spare spoke wheels are mint so do not need to be done.
 
The nipples in the hub act like water traps. After every ride, put the bike on the centre stand and for the sake of a 60 seconds sec spray with gt85 or wd40, spin the wheel and wipe with a microfibre cloth if required. Also use this time to ping the spokes....
 
Geekay said:
Clean off for acf50 and give them a little lick of paint.

You could use hammerite smooth or, my choice, would probably be some humbrol enamel

You could go black or silver. You just need to cover up the rusty bits.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I would mask up and use spray enamel rather than brush (make sure nice and warm use hairdryer)- could look a little thick as there are lot of nooks and crannies
 
Great thanks everyone for your valuable comments and great feedback.

I will start with some wd40 , spin the wheels to remove water and leave for a day.
Next day I will try the ACF50 option

If I remove all nipples to clean them and remove rust, how difficult it is to re assemble the wheel?
 
Dim87 said:
Great thanks everyone for your valuable comments and great feedback.

I will start with some wd40 , spin the wheels to remove water and leave for a day.
Next day I will try the ACF50 option

If I remove all nipples to clean them and remove rust, how difficult it is to re assemble the wheel?
Click to expand...

do not under any circumstance try to undo the nipples!
 
malcopopolo said:
I would mask up and use spray enamel rather than brush (make sure nice and warm use hairdryer)- could look a little thick as there are lot of nooks and crannies
Click to expand...

Yeah good point.

I have actually done mine - with a relatively dry brush they Come up ok painted on. I took my time in the sun one summer. Quite enjoyable really.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Dim87 said:
Great thanks everyone for your valuable comments and great feedback.

I will start with some wd40 , spin the wheels to remove water and leave for a day.
Next day I will try the ACF50 option

If I remove all nipples to clean them and remove rust, how difficult it is to re assemble the wheel?
Click to expand...

Don’t - specialist job......
 
Thanks

For how many days should I the ACF50 before wash and then try the autosol?

Should I use only an ear bud for the autosol to shine?
Should I mask the paint to apply ?
 
Dim87 said:
Thanks

For how many days should I the ACF50 before wash and then try the autosol?

Should I use only an ear bud for the autosol to shine?
Should I mask the paint to apply ?
Click to expand...

1. I would say WD40 first just to loosen any crud. Leave an hour or two.
2. Then autosol and work it to take off any surface rust until shiny metal. Use ear bud or anything that allows you to get into hole. Bit of old rag for getting the outside bits clean.
3. Wash it all off and then dry.
4. ACF50 getting it into the hole and around the outside. I use a small artists paint brush.

When you start, you’ll see what works.
 
I think you will always be on the losing end of the fight with those fixings. Painting or coating will make the job of removing them harder if required in the future. I've capped nuts and bolts in the past to clean up the look and used something similar to these. Little rubber caps cut to length and pressed on to the head.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07T8Q239G/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07T8Q239G&pd_rd_w=FTiNh&pf_rd_p=4901a795-cee5-42a4-880a-820cd918a6b5&pd_rd_wg=dNNA5&pf_rd_r=GS50JG8MXV561TSDD8AW&pd_rd_r=2ed74e02-b911-4078-b635-f3e3a3d73c9b&smid=AIF4G7PLKBOZY&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExOFNQVlpBSExaNVpQJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjAwMzkxQlc0MFdKOUQwT0NaJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA2OTAyNzNWU1lTOTQ2TVg5STQmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWMmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl
 
You have corrosion the hub as well as the nuts.

Why dont you ring around and explore powder coating? For £60 your rear wheel will be like new and smoother - easier to clean.

The only thing to consider is they heat the wheel up to 400c - not sure if that would affect alignment?

If it was me - would remove the rust, with steel wool around a cotton bud, mask up the spokes etc and use hammerite smooth out of a can to spray the hub and nipples.

Heat the hub for 10 mins with a hair dryer before hand and heat the can of spray in warm water for a few mins then spray a couple of coats. allow to dry for 15 mins then a final coat.

Job will look good if you take your time.
 
malcopopolo said:
You have corrosion the hub as well as the nuts.

Why dont you ring around and explore powder coating? For £60 your rear wheel will be like new and smoother - easier to clean.

The only thing to consider is they heat the wheel up to 400c - not sure if that would affect alignment?

If it was me - would remove the rust, with steel wool around a cotton bud, mask up the spokes etc and use hammerite smooth out of a can to spray the hub and nipples.

Heat the hub for 10 mins with a hair dryer before hand and heat the can of spray in warm water for a few mins then spray a couple of coats. allow to dry for 15 mins then a final coat.

Job will look good if you take your time.
Click to expand...


I would consider the power coating option
Just cannot really understand how this would work without removing the spokes
Based on information I read online they either remove them or do the whole wheel but they paint spokes and nipples in that case
 
autogs said:
put a pair of cast wheels on!
Click to expand...

There are people who do this, myself included. However most pairs sold are not mint and may require some refurb.
It is also several hundred pounds investment.

At the end of the day if they were mine i would have then looking mint for around £12 and a couple of hours work.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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