Polishing bike parts

suzyb
suzyb Posts: 3,449
edited April 2010 in The workshop
The metal parts on my old bike are quite dull and have some rust spots from sitting in a damp shed for years. Is it possible to get them shined up?

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    yep.

    any metal polish and lots of elbow grease.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • lae
    lae Posts: 555
    You might find it easier to start off with very fine wire wool to get the rust off, then move onto polish.

    If you have an electric drill, get a felt wheel for it. Makes polishing a million times faster.

    Autosol + felt wheel = all the aluminium on my bike has a mirror finish.

    To prevent further rust and to make them easier to clean, places like Halfords do 'wheel wax' for car alloy wheels. Works really well.
  • suzyb
    suzyb Posts: 3,449
    We have one of those dremmel things (Aldi brand one) so I was going to see if we have an attachment that could help with the polishing.

    Hopefully that will save my elbows.
  • suzyb
    suzyb Posts: 3,449
    I have some polishing compound that came with he felt wheel attachments of Father's aldi tool. Would this be OK to use.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    try a small, inconspicuous area first - should be fine. Then a light coat of oil afterwards to protect it
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH