How to Remove Bike Chain Rust
Struggling to get a smooth ride from your bike? Finding it’s not as enjoyable as usual? Are you experiencing bike chain rust? .
If you are someone who enjoys muddy rides through forests and dirt trails, then you may find yourself facing a build-up of surface rust. Unfortunately, a rusty bike chain can make you work harder during that trip, and can even damage the drivetrain. But, can a rusty bike chain be restored? Don’t whip out your wallet just yet! Before you fork out for a brand-new one, we recommend you give a little DIY love to your bike first! WD-40® Multi-Use Product contains a unique formula that helps break down the bond between metal or chrome and rust, for easy yet effective removal.
So how do you remove rust off a bike chain using WD-40®’s innovative formula? Find out more by checking out our simple step-by-step guide below, on how to fix a rusty bicycle chain with WD-40®.
To remove bike chain rust safely and efficiently, there are a few steps that need to be completed. From preparation to protection, we’ve detailed all of our handy tips below:
Things you will need
Microfibre cloth
Wire brush
WD-40 Specialist®® Bike Chain Lube
Step 1
Prepare your bike for de-rusting
Before you begin your DIY maintenance, you’re going to want to clear an area to work from. Choose a flat, uncluttered space that has sufficient room to house your bike – ensuring you have enough space to work around it. Remove any items which may get in the way, and ensure there are no fabrics or textiles which may be affected by the process nearby.
Step 2
Work away that bike rust
Now you’ve cleared an area to get started, it’s time to get to work! Grab your bike, your handy can of WD-40® Multi-Use Product, a wire brush, and a couple of microfibre cloths. Firstly, you’re going to want to coat the entire affected area with WD-40® Multi-Use Product, using the wide spray nozzle setting to achieve a full coverage. To get into those intricate areas of your rusty bike chain, use the straw function.
Once you have saturated the rust, allow the innovative formula to settle for around 10 minutes. This will allow the product to penetrate into the rust, making it easier to dislodge.
Once the 10 minutes is complete, grab your wire brush and gently begin scrubbing away at the rust. You should see that it begins to gently come away from the chain. Continue scrubbing until all of the bike chain rust has been removed. If you discover stubborn areas, re-apply the product and allow for another 10 minutes of saturation. Then, simply scrub away the remains. Once you are happy with the results, use a clean microfibre cloth to wipe away any remaining rust flakes and residue.
Step 3
Protect your clean bike chain
Now your bicycle chain is repaired and rust-free, why not keep it in tip-top condition by lubricating it with WD-40 Specialist® Bike Chain Lube. The specialist formula provides lubrication in all climate conditions, and has the added benefit of protecting your bicycle from water ingression, corrosion, rust, and wear. Not sure how to use it? We can help! Find out more in our how to lube your bike chain.
So, there you have it!
Now you know how to restore your rusty bike chain and get it looking like new again. If you want to more sure that your bike doesn't get rusty again,you can read our guide on how to stop your bike from rusting.
Got more rusty metal to treat? Why not read our blog, How To Remove Rust for a complete guide on treating rust. If you want more info on how to maintain your bicycle, read our guides on, cleaning your road bike brake discs, how to clean a bike, and degreasing your bike; you’ll be an expert in next to no time. Please note that WD-40® Multi-Use Product should never be used to lubricate the chain of your bike. You should only use a specially formulated bike lubricant for this purpose. You can browse our full bike product range, which includes; bike chain lube and bike chain degreaser.
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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