rim eyelet cleaning

[Mike Muz]

Hi folks,

Recently got hold of some Mavic MA40 rims. Very little wear, but the eyelets are rusty.
I was wondering what is the easiest way to clean them up, anyone else had this problem?

Any help would be gratefully received

Mike

 

[ringo]

Re:

Mike

never tried it but this might work. Phosphoric acid is a rust inhibitor that may do a good job on the eyelets for you. Basically you would mix a solution of the stuff and find a large container - dunk enough of the rim in as you can and move it around every few days.

*Warning* I am not a chemist (although the wife has a doctorate in Chemistry - so will ask her...) so I do not know whether there will be any adverse reaction on the aluminium rim...

Other here might be able to advise...

http://darrantchemicals.co.uk/index.php ... oCESPw_wcB

 

[mattr]

Isn't silver foil good for lifting rust. Or does that only work on rusty chrome.

Phosphoric will attack the surface of the rim, especially where it isn't anodized.

 

[ringo]

Just checked with the Mrs... She says it's the stuff they put in Coke... and we know the cleaning properties of that!

To do the science bit... she reckoned the aluminium would form an oxide to protect itself from the acid. This would be either imperceptible or able to be cleaned off after the eyelets had cleaned themselves up.

My non scientific answer was "well they put coke in aluminium cans!"

There you go an insight into the conversation around the kitchen table in Ringo Towers this morning...

 

[mattr]

Aluminium cans have a coating on the inside.

Or they'd collapse/burst after a few days/weeks of storage.

 

[Mike Muz]

Re:

Thanks for your help so far lads

These are the dark anodized finish rims. Mainly intact on the braking surface. May try coke, don't want to mess up the ano or stickers

Mike

 

[t47b]

Re:

Use genolite for steel parts, make sure you get the gel version as it's less messy, apply, wait an hour or so, wash off with water, mad I know, Rust is converted to metal. Doesn't affect aluminium.

 

[Mike Muz]

Re:

Would it affect the dark grey finish?

 

[t47b]

Re:

If you use the gel version you can easily wipe excess off with a cloth, this stuff isn't an acid, I usually get some on surrounding paintwork and tend to wipe it off with a damp cloth before it dries ( it takes about an hour to dry) but it has never left a residue on the painted area.

 

[Midlife]

Isn't it Orthophosphoric acid?

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1496472.pdf

Shaun