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Author Topic: Rusty forks  (Read 1361 times)

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Offline longshanks

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Rusty forks
« on: April 03, 2013, 10:15:01 PM »
Is there a way to clean up my rusty pitted forks a bit? I'm purely going for cosmetics here. If I can get rid of the rusty brown by the triple tree and bring some of that chrome shine back I'll be happy. Doesn't matter too much if there's pitting left over. Naval jelly? steel wool? sandpaper? chrome polish?

Ideas?

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Offline goldarrow

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Re: Rusty forks
« Reply #1 on: April 03, 2013, 11:54:48 PM »
My idea would be to try evaporust. It's a bit expensive but work well.  I tried it on rusted chain and came out great. Put in bottle tall enough to cover the rusty spots and leave it overnight.  Don't know how much chrome will be left though because of the rust
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Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

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CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
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Offline Vinhead1957

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Re: Rusty forks
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2013, 05:23:36 AM »
Phosphoric acid ! It is the active ingredient in Evaporust and vinegar and there are other products for soaking the rust away.  It is easy and won't harm the chrome or rubber.
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Offline iron_worker

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Re: Rusty forks
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2013, 08:25:12 AM »
Evaporust also has an ingredient that leaves a barrier on the steel after it is removed so it does not flash rust. I'm not sure if phospohoric acid on it's own will do that.

I know that when you use vinegar (soak for a few days and the rust will scrub right off) the bare steel will tend to flash rust afterwards unless treated soon after.

IW
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Offline bjbuchanan

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Re: Rusty forks
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2013, 09:08:32 AM »
I just sanded and painted that upper portion. My k6 had the forks that are unchromed behind the fork ears so mine were pretty rough up there. 220 then 320 and spray
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The dirty girl-1976 cb750k, Ebay 836, Tracy bodykit
Round top carbs w/ 38 pilots, middle needle position, airscrew 7/8ths out, 122 main jet
Stock airbox w/ drop in K&N, Hooker 4-1

Don't trust me alone with a claw hammer and some pliers

Offline longshanks

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Re: Rusty forks
« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2013, 09:44:47 AM »
Evaporust is kind of expensive, can I try Naval Jelly first? same results? If I do get evaporust can I use it for the inside of gas tanks too?

And if the finish when I'm done is a dull gray can I polish it back to a silvery color?
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Offline bjbuchanan

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Re: Rusty forks
« Reply #6 on: April 04, 2013, 10:59:57 AM »
You can use the naval jelly the evaporust is a convenience thing how it coats it for you. If you just want rust removal slap the naval jelly on and then polish the chrome up afterwards with a metal polish. Most metal polishes have a wax built in so you would prob be good for some time afterwards
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The dirty girl-1976 cb750k, Ebay 836, Tracy bodykit
Round top carbs w/ 38 pilots, middle needle position, airscrew 7/8ths out, 122 main jet
Stock airbox w/ drop in K&N, Hooker 4-1

Don't trust me alone with a claw hammer and some pliers

Offline WhyNot2

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Re: Rusty forks
« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2013, 12:32:38 PM »
geeez, those things look clean compared to mine.......................
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Offline Vinhead1957

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Re: Rusty forks
« Reply #8 on: April 04, 2013, 01:21:04 PM »
Mine were like that and I primed the area with rust converter to slow down any further oxidation
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Offline purf_man

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Re: Rusty forks
« Reply #9 on: April 04, 2013, 06:54:41 PM »
new fork tubes are only like $150 for the pair.
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Offline longshanks

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Re: Rusty forks
« Reply #10 on: April 04, 2013, 10:23:28 PM »
Quote from: purf_man on April 04, 2013, 06:54:41 PM
new fork tubes are only like $150 for the pair.

Buy me a set?  :D
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