Last Updated on December 15, 2022
Biking never comes without challenges. As a bike rider keeping the bike maintained and in good shape is important. Oiling the bike chain is the regular maintenance that helps the bike run smoothly and gives the rider a comfortable ride.
It is pretty frustrating no matter how we take care of the bike chain; it eventually gets rusted. So, if the rusted chain is left unchanged, it will ultimately damage the other part of the bike. Cleaning the rusted bike chain is pretty simple if you understand some simple steps and follow them.
Users also read How To Clean a Badly Stained Toilet.
In this article, we are going to tell some of the reasons for rusted bike chains, what materials are needed to use to clean the bike chain, and the steps you need to follow.
Reason For Bike Chain Rusting
If you own an old bike then the bike chain rusting is pretty normal. On the other hand, if bikers use their bike during the rainy day or the bike gets in contact with salt water then it is also pretty normal for a bike chain to get rusted.
The reason for the rusting is when metal is exposed to oxygen and moisture the moisture converts into rust because of the oxidation process that takes place in the presence of oxygen. The rust becomes extremely difficult to remove if you are not able to maintain the bike.
Material Requires to Remove the Rust from Bike Chain
Following are the materials that are needed to start the process of removing the rust from the bike chain.
- Clean Rags
- Lemon\lime juice
- Gloves
- Degreaser
- Lubricant especially waterproof
- Brush with a wire bristle
- WD- 40
- Scouring pad\steel wool
Steps To Remove Rust from Bike Chain
Good thing is that removing the rust from the bike chain and keeping that in good shape is not impossible and you just need to follow some steps that are given below to achieve the best results:
Inspecting The Bike’s Condition
The first step is to inspect the condition of the bike. It is best to turn the bike upside down because in this way you have a close look at the part that is near the rusted bike chain.
Remember to lay a cloth on the ground because in this way the paint on the bike doesn’t get scratches even if the bike is not very expensive. Remember to be extra careful during every step.
Check The Chain Condition
After checking the complete condition of the bike in the second step what you need is to have a close look at the condition of the bike chain. If the bike chain is slightly rusted, then clean the bike with a degreaser and avoid removing the chain from the bike.
If there is some imperfection and wrapping in the metal beside rusting then the best is to change the bike chain. After completely inspecting the chain condition we can move on to the next step.
- Bike riders should clean the bike chain once a week because it prevents the dust and moisture from gathering in the chain.
- The use of the lubed will help to maintain the condition of the chain and also keep the bike running smoothly.
Remove The Bike Chain by Locating the Master linker
In the third step after evaluating the condition of the bike chain, remove the chain from the bike. It will make it easier to remove the rust when the chain is not linked to the bicycle. Many modern bikes contain a master link in the chain of the bike.
This link looks different from all other links which make it easy to locate. By removing the master link the chain gets separated from the bike and is ready for the next process. If the bike did not have the master link, consider going to the local shop to add the master link to the bike chain.
Clean The Dust From The Chain
The fourth step after removing the chain now is to determine how to start the cleaning. Wear gloves so your hand does not get damaged by using the chemicals during the process. Use the clean rag to remove the dust and other particles from the chain.
Use The Degreaser
After removing the dust particles from the chain, wet the rug with a degreaser. Use this rag to clean the rusted chain to remove the grease and other buildups. Stubborn buildup before it comes off needs the constant and hard rubbing with the greaser. Removing the greaser from the chain makes the removal of the rust from the chain more convenient.
Soak The Chain In Degreaser
After using the rug with degreaser, soak the chain in degreaser for about 20 minutes to remove the buildups that are not removed even after heavy scrubbing. After rinsing the chain in a degreaser for 20 minutes, soak the chain in hot water.
Remember to wear rubber gloves when soaking the chain in degreaser because some degreasers are quite harsh on the skin.
Scrubbing with lime juice\steel wool
After soaking the chain in degreaser and cleaning the chain with hot water scrub the bike chain with steel wool. It removes the rust from the chain. For a better result use the lime juice and wet the steel wool with juice and scrub the rusted chain.
After scrubbing for some time remember to use a clean rag\toilet paper to clean the chain to see what amount of rust is left on the bike chain.
Use The WD-40 And A Wire Brush
To remove the tough rust from the bike chain, spray the WD-40 on the rusted bike chain. After spraying the WD-40 before performing any other action allow the WD-40 to sit for a moment. After the solution soaks in, use the brush with wire bristle to scrub the rust.
Wipe the chain with a clean rag to remove the rust residue and now the bike chain is ready to lubricate and go back to the bike.
Reattach The Bike Chain
After the cleaning is done now is time to reattach the bike chain. Bring the chain at the midpoints between the wheel holding it on one side with one hand and the other with the second hand. If this is difficult for you then ask the help of a friend\brother to hold the other side of the chain.
Adjust the position of the chain and then connect the master link by slotting the pin end link into the slot of the opposite end link.
Use The Lubricant
After attaching the bike chain use the lubricant because it prevents the bike from rusting and helps it work smoothly. It is best to use a waterproof lubricant like Boeshield T-9. Never use motor oil as the lube because it contains acid that wears the chain more quickly and also affects the chain strength.
Removing the rust from the bike chain is not as difficult as you think but with some techniques and a little bit of material, you clean the bike chain very easily.
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