Need to remove rust from chrome

[cmcdanl]

I hope this is the right place to post this. I'm wondering if you guys know of any good ways to remove a lot of rust from chrome. I bought a pair of spoke wheels at a swap meet and the spokes have a lot of surface rust. Do you guys know of any ways I can remove a lot of it and make them shiny again?

 

[guilld]

I do not think they are salvageable from a chrome perspective. One possibility might be to tape the rims with duct tape etc., sandblast the centers, then paint the center a contrast color that goes with your bucket leaving the rims chrome.

Another option would be sandblast the whole wheel and have them powder coated.

 

[cmcdanl]

That's what I was afraid of. The front wheels are in great shape though, so I was trying to avoid having to sand blast the nice shiny rims so they match the rear if I needed to paint them. But those are both good ideas. I'll have to photoshop them and see what looks best.

 

[Carolina Man]

You can buy molasses in 5 gallon bucket which will help remove the rust. Here are a some video's on it. I have been told by a few friends that it does work.

http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-remove-rust-using-molasses/

Here is one from a machinist forums.

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general-archive/rust-removal-using-molasses-90452/

 

[RPM]

Check this site here. I have never tried it, but you might want to give it a shot.

http://antique-engines.com/electrol.asp

 

[Keeper]

Soak them in Molasses will take a few days but it won't hurt anything. You can also use vinegar, buy it in bulk at Costco or Sams.

Electrolysis might hurt the chrome, but it will work faster.

 

[Carolina Man]

Thanks Keeper

 

[cmcdanl]

Thanks guys. I will give one of these a shot. I'll let you know how they turn out.

 

[cmcdanl]

Does anyone know how long electrolysis should take? That seems like a pretty cool way to clean parts. I may try that, but it didn't say in that article how long you should keep your part in there.

 

[old round fart]

Have you considered having the wheel respoked with stainless spokes?

 

[cmcdanl]

That would be an option if I could afford it. Then again if I could afford it then I wouldn't be using these wheels in the first place! I'm on a tight budget since it's my first complete build and I've used most of it up. Do you think it would look decent or work well if I was to use electrolysis or molasses to remove the rust and then shoot some clear coat over the spokes to keep them from rusting?

 

[old round fart]

I think if you get the rust off you will find a lot of pitting and clear coat would not give you the desired effect.

 

[jimbo01]

I would think that the clear coat will probably have a yellow tint to it

 

[flatheadgary]

i came across this on some other site and haven't tried it myself. i have chrome roadster headers that are shabby and am going to buy some of this and try it. i am going to get a plastic 55 gallon barrel to put them in.
http://www.how-to-build-hotrods.com/remove-rust.html

 

[Jhexide]

ive put old rusty brake backing plates in feed grade molasses ,1part malasses to 7 parts water,soaked for about a month tok theout not a spect of rust left,justed wash them with water,dryed them good,