Hello all. First off I did a search and didn't come up with much. My question is, what is a good way to bring an old chain back to good condition. It has the usual surface rust everywhere . Is there a solvent I could soak it in for a while or something along those lines? Brillo pad? Some kind of rust-eater spray?

It's a black and silver Izumi which is what I need for my project, and it actally looks in decent shape under the rust, so I'd like to see if I can get it decent looking before I look for a new one. Just wondering if any of you had luck making an old chain look new again. Thank!

-Matt

[ November 19, 2003, 07:17 AM: Message edited by: Matt S. ]

I'm just gonna throw this out, 'cause I don't know the "best" way, so:

-Soak chain in the solvent of your choice--WD-40, paint thinner, something recommended by the hardware store, etc. If you have a solvent bath, this is very easy.

-Scrub with a brass bristle brush.

-Rinse with clean solvent (a solvent bath is a good toy for any garage.)

-Feel for stiff links. When you find one, grab the chain with both hands on either side of the link, put your thumb on the side of the link, right on the pin. Bend that spot--not too hard. Do the same on the opposite side. Continue until the link is free.*

(* I wouldn't suggest this method for something you plan to race or rely on.)