Topic: Rust on chrome and rims

[Schnell]

So I'm beginning to clean up my new to me 1975 cb750 that has sat in a corner of a garage for the last 10 years. I went over it (fenders, turn signal stalks, rims) with wd40 and fine steel wool. Some of the rust spots come off, but many are just too deep. Tomorrow ill go a bit deeper with a brass brush on an electric drill. What's the best way to deal with this corrosion? Paint doesn't stick well to chrome, does it?

[OldSchool_IsCool]

STEP AWAY FROM THE DRILL!!

Brass brush is OK, but use the toothbrush type of brush.  Mother's chrome polish or a very fine finishing compound on the brush will do.  When you get a half wheel done, reward yourself with a refreshing cold one!

By the way, welcome to the forum and that's a sweet looking K5 you got there!

[afkrejci90]

Would CLR work?  That on a toothbrush would should seem to work.

[wvshooter]

I have the same problem on both of my wheels. The rust isn't horrible but it's beyond trying to clean up. Also, when I got the tire and the tube off I discovered an unacceptable amount of rust on the inside of the wheel.

I had planned on painting mine from the get go but the rust makes it a no brainer. And yes you can paint chrome. I havn't read up on it yet but I think it involves a self etching primer. Mine will get a good going over with the wire wheel, then some sanding , followed by a rust converter, followed by the best technique for painting chrome. This has been done alot by others and the results look nice assuming you don't have to have chrome.

Lastly, some of the spoke ends on the inside of the wheel had an unacceptable amount of rust so we get a new set! Whoopee!

[DJ_AX]

Aluminum foil with wd40 is one of my favorite combos for rusty chrome.
I've got some other "Chrome Polish" stuff for the chrome which seems to work more like a waxing... haze on, hand buff off & shine.

Mothers is great ... but I use mostly only on polished aluminum parts.

And that is indeed a very nice looking K5

[xnoahx]

You can take a wire wheel to the inside of the rim to remove excessive rust.  I have always been a fan of steel wool for taking down surface rust on chrome.  Had pretty good results on the chrome bits on my 78 when I got it

[phil71]

remember, when the rust is gone, it will generally not reveal chrome, but old, unplated steel. protect it somehow, or adjust your expectations a little.

[Magilla]

Simichrome is a product that I often use to clean chrome.  It's not fast but it works great.  Also I would agree to stay away from the drill. You will score the chrome and that won't come out.

To answer your question about paint on chrome, it can be done but the chrome has to be scuffed.  Paint won't stick to a smooth surface.  The problem is, if you paint chrome it will look like you "painted chrome". That is never a good look.

[Schnell]

Okay, here's the bike off the trailer and after 30 minutes going over the chrome with wd40 and steel wool. The bike looks great from 10 feet away as in the first picture, but close up one can see the corrosion.

[MCRider]

That rim is too far gone in my opinion. You can still clean it up. I'd use a rust remover, phosphoric acid base. Google it. EvapoRust comes to mind.

But your finish is shot. Rust remover and chrome paint. Or a new rim.

The tires need replacing (age hardened, unsafe after 6+ years). Wouldn't take much to relace a new rim and go pretty.

[lucky]

Do not use a brass brush on steel parts!!!
Use a stainless tooth brush available at any welding supply store.
Or just use steel wool.

Brass and steel do not get along well in a corrosive environment.

Use phosphoric acid on those rusty areas. It stops the rust.
It turns iron oxide  into iron phosphate. Just a small sponge will work and leave it on for 30 minutes till the brown turns to grey. Then rinse with water and put some clear nail polish over the spot.

You can also just spray the treated area with WD40 after rinsing.

[lucky]

That rim is too far gone in my opinion. You can still clean it up. I'd use a rust remover, phosphoric acid base. Google it. EvapoRust comes to mind.

But your finish is shot. Rust remover and chrome paint. Or a new rim.

The tires need replacing (age hardened, unsafe after 6+ years). Wouldn't take much to relace a new rim and go pretty.

I agree. Re chrome and rebuild that wheel. Put on a new tire and tube.
That is what I would do.

[Jasondo]

My wheels looked exactly the same when I purchased my bike. I tried everything but was never satisfied. Ended up finding a powder coater that had good prices. ended up spending 70 bucks to have both rims done in a satin black. Looks awesome. Like they were brand new. Concider it next time you need to change out the tires. Thats a good time to do it.

[flybox1]

go over the rust with 0000 steel wool dipped in blue magic metal polish.
for faster work, chuck a mothers power cone in your drill, slathered in blue magic, and go to work.
i betcha 50% of that will come off. 
media blast and chrome/powder would be my last resort...

[MCRider]

go over the rust with 0000 steel wool dipped in blue magic metal polish.
for faster work, chuck a mothers power cone in your drill, slathered in blue magic, and go to work.
i betcha 50% of that will come off. 
media blast and chrome/powder would be my last resort...

The rust will come off by several means. His problem is, then what? 

[flybox1]

he can ride around without looking like he just pulled his K out of the garden until that time where he can send his rims out to be properly finished     winter will be upon us soon 

[MCRider]

he can ride around without looking like he just pulled his K out of the garden until that time where he can send his rims out to be properly finished     winter will be upon us soon 

Yes, good plan. Ride while the sun shines!

[flybox1]

he can ride around without looking like he just pulled his K out of the garden until that time where he can send his rims out to be properly finished     winter will be upon us soon 

Yes, good plan. Ride while the sun shines!

new tires first, please

[MCRider]

he can ride around without looking like he just pulled his K out of the garden until that time where he can send his rims out to be properly finished     winter will be upon us soon 

Yes, good plan. Ride while the sun shines!

new tires first, please

Oh yeah, that too. 

[oldbob]

When I pulled the tires off of my CB400F, I found an impressive amount of rust on the inside surface of the rims. I wire-brushed and then primed the inside, but I don't know if the rims may have lost too much metal. The quote from Buchanan's for new aluminum rims and ss spokes was not insignificant, but I might go that route.

Bob

[Schnell]

It's amazing what elbow grease, wd40, a scotchbright pad, and a mini wire brush can do. Sure, there are now areas where the chrome is pitted and micro-scratched, but there is no more rust on the chrome including the rims which looked quite dire.

Pleased.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

If ur happy with 'em, that's all tat matters.  Wax 'em up good else you'll be putting more elbow grease into it again way too soon!  On to other things, like getting her running well, new rubber, and many smiles per gallon!

[Schnell]

Applied Mothers metal polish: shines and protects.

I'm finishing this riding season on my 1976 BMW. Next spring this Honda will have new tires, euro bars, insurance, and license sticker.

[Stev-o]

I would start shopping for new rims. Rechroming would be expensive.

[Schnell]

It's a matter of personal taste and style (and finances). I'm okay with respecting the bike's age and do not need everything to look new and shiny (as long as safety is not compromised). Its going to stay a stock bike, with just the lower handlebars. Just like I'm okay with the grey in my hair and beard. I understand that this is not everyone's taste for motorcycles. Thats okay.

As I mentioned, the rust came off and just the chrome plating was affected. Cosmetics.