How To Remove Rust On Bike Chain? [4 Method]

Rust is a natural process that occurs when metal reacts with certain chemicals in the air and water. Rust is not only a cosmetic issue but can also cause structural damage to your bike chain.

There are many ways to remove rust from bike chains, such as using a wire brush, using sandpaper, or using abrasive cleaner.

The best way to remove rust on bike chains is by using an abrasive cleaner or a metal polish like WD-40 because it removes rust quickly and efficiently without damaging the metal.

In this article, I will show you several ways how to remove rust on bike chains.

Why is My Bike Chain Rusting?

The chain gets rusty because it is constantly in contact with water, which contains a lot of minerals that can cause corrosion. It’s important to keep your bike chain clean and dry because if it rusts, it can weaken the chain and make it break much easier.

The next time you are wondering why your bike chain is rusting, think about these potential causes:

1. The bike chain may be in a wet environment or on a bicycle that gets wet often.
2. The bike chain may not be well lubricated or has been left too long without being cleaned and greased.
3. The bike chain may have come into contact with salt water, which can cause rust.
4. The bike chain may have been exposed to chemicals such as chlorine or acid, which can also cause rust.

How To Remove Rust On Bike Chain? [Method 1]

Rust is a common problem for bikes. It can happen to any bike, and it is not easy to remove.

Here are 4 steps to remove rust on a bike chain wet:

• Step 1: Submerge the chain in a container with water and white vinegar
• Step 2: Let the chain rest
• Step 3: Clean the rust with a cloth
• Step 4: Check the cleaned surface

Step 1: Submerge the chain in a container with water and white vinegar

Get a container with water and some white vinegar in it. Put the chain into the container, and make sure that the chain is completely submerged in water.

Step 2: Let the chain rest

Leave the chain in the water for about two hours or overnight if possible.

Step 3: Clean the rust with a cloth

Take out the chain from the container and wipe off all of the rust using a cloth or paper towel until you see that there are no more rust stains on it.

Step 4: Check the cleaned surface

Make sure that you dry off all of your bike chains with a cloth before storing them inside your house or garage so they don’t get wet again when it rains or snows outside!

How To Remove Rust On Bike Chain? [Method 2]

This is an excellent method to remove rust from a bike chain without removing it.

Here are 4 steps to remove rust on the bike chain dry:

• Step 1: Use a wire brush to remove rust
• Step 2: Apply lubricant to the chain
• Step 3: Clean the residue from the surface
• Step 4: Apply lubricant

Step 1: Use a wire brush to remove rust

Remove any excess rust from the chain using a wire brush and then wipe it clean with a cloth.

Step 2: Apply lubricant to the chain

Apply a thick layer of lubricant to the chain and allow it to soak in for about 5 minutes before wiping the excess off with a cloth.

Step 3: Clean the residue from the surface

Coat the chain in lubricant again and then use an old toothbrush or wire brush to scrub away any stubborn rust particles that remain on the surface of the chain while it is still wet.

Step 4: Apply lubricant

Allow the bike chain to dry fully before applying another layer of lubricant, if necessary, and then wipe off any excess with a cloth.

How To Remove Rust On Bike Chain? [Method 3]

It is important to remove rust from bike chains and gears as soon as possible. Rust can cause corrosion which will lead to more problems and make it difficult for the bike to operate.

With the following steps, you can remove rust from your bike chain.

• Step 1: Soak the chain in a bath of hot water and dish soap for 15 minutes.
• Step 2: Rinse off the soap with a hose or in a sink full of water.
• Step 3: Spray the chain with WD-40 to loosen up any remaining rust particles.
• Step 4: Scrub off any loose rust particles with an old toothbrush and baking soda water solution (1 tablespoon baking soda to 1 quart of water).
• Step 5: Rinse off the baking soda solution with a hose or in a sink full of water and dry it off using a paper towel or cloth towel.
• Step 6: Apply oil to the chain using WD-40 spray, lube, or oil.

Will WD-40 Remove Rust From Bike Chain?

The truth is that WD-40 can remove rust from bike chains. However, it is not the best rust remover for bike chains. The best way to remove rust from bike chains is by using a degreaser and a wire brush.

WD-40 will only work on surfaces that are not too rusty. If you want to remove rust from a bike chain, you should use WD-40 as a cleaner and follow up with stronger chemicals or abrasives to completely remove the rust.

How To Remove Rust From Bike Chain With WD-40?

WD-40 is a popular and well-known product that is used for various purposes. One of the most common uses of WD-40 is to remove rust from bike chains.

There are many ways to remove rust from bike chains, but WD-40 is one of the easiest and most cost-efficient methods.

The tool you will need:

• Spray WD-40 Multi-Use
• Wire brush
• Clean cloth

The steps in removing rust with WD-40 are as follows:

• Step 1: Apply a liberal amount of WD-40 to the chain
• Step 2: Scrub with a metal brush
• Step 3: Use a rag to wipe the WD-40 off of the chain
• Step 4: Apply some more WD-40

Step 1: Apply a liberal amount of WD-40 to the chain

Apply the WD-40 liberally onto the bike chain and allow it to sit for 5 or 10 minutes. This step allows the WD-40 to penetrate into the rust, making it easier for the next steps to work effectively.

Step 2: Scrub with a metal brush

Scrub with a metal brush or toothbrush in order to loosen up any stuck-on debris or rust particles that may have formed on the bike chain.

Step 3: Use a rag to wipe the WD-40 off of the chain

Rinse off all of the excess WD-40 with water and then dry it using a clean cloth or paper towel.

Step 4: Apply some more WD-40

Apply some oil to the chain after it has dried fully to prevent rust from forming again.

How To Keep Bike Chains From Rusting?

There are many ways to keep your bike chain from rusting, but the most effective way is to use a dry lubricant.

A dry lubricant is a type of grease that does not contain any water or oil. It is typically made of molybdenum disulfide and graphite.

The main reason for using this type of grease is that it does not attract water or oil as regular greases do, and it will also not cause any corrosion to the metal parts.

As long as you make sure that you clean off the excess grease after each ride, your bike chain should stay rust-free and in good condition for a long time.

FAQs

How To Clean A Bike Chain With Household Products? [6 Easy Steps]

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed the various methods and tools that can be used to remove rust from bike chains. The most popular methods are degreasing, using a chemical solution, using a toothbrush, and using a wire brush.

We hope that this article has been helpful for you in understanding how to remove rust from the bike chain.