Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => The Knowledge => OT Knowledge => Topic started by: Gattopardo on 25 January, 2019, 09:01:07 pm

Title: De rusting a chain and seat rails with electrolysis
Post by: Gattopardo on 25 January, 2019, 09:01:07 pm

Have a less than 3 miles use chain that is very rusty, as well as seat rails.

Have stuck them in an electrolysis bath wonder what will happen.


Shall we have a guess?

Title: Re: De rusting a chain and seat rails with electrolysis
Post by: Hot Flatus on 26 January, 2019, 05:33:05 am

It will snap when you use it. Resulting in you hitting the tarmac. That's my guess.

Title: Re: De rusting a chain and seat rails with electrolysis
Post by: Brucey on 26 January, 2019, 12:20:09 pm

the rust on the outside of the chain is presumably what is troubling you, but there could also be rust on the inside of the chain, which would be more of a problem. 

In addition to an increased risk of breaking (could be ideal conditions to promote hydrogen cracking....?) the chain might wear out double-quick having been 'treated'.

The reason the chain went rusty in the first place is some combination of the service conditions (road salt probably) and the lubricant (some crap that is barely OK for summer use I expect). Expect a repeat performance (but even quicker) unless you do something different.

It is an interesting experiment (and I'm keen to hear how it goes) but it is not one that I think I'd spend the time doing.

cheers

Title: Re: De rusting a chain and seat rails with electrolysis
Post by: Gattopardo on 26 January, 2019, 04:07:40 pm

The chain was going to go in to the bin, just playing really.

More important to de rust the bolts and other bits.

Title: Re: De rusting a chain and seat rails with electrolysis
Post by: rogerzilla on 27 January, 2019, 09:04:21 pm

iME they de-rust themselves fairly well if they're just oiled and ridden.

Title: Re: De rusting a chain and seat rails with electrolysis
Post by: Gattopardo on 27 January, 2019, 09:07:18 pm

Bit beyond that..

Title: Re: De rusting a chain and seat rails with electrolysis
Post by: Gattopardo on 31 January, 2019, 07:25:48 pm

Oh well dug the bits out and the rusty bits aren't that unrusted and the electrodes have disappeared!

So just a rusty chain this time on the the stainless basket and will see what happens