Ok, I'll take help from anyone.... Ted just seems to be the man with the rusty answers. ;-]

I just got a very nice Redline v-bar pad in the mail today with the snaps rusted shut.

I assume the oxalic acid dip only works on surface rust and not between blocked surfaces like seatposts/tubes; or, in my case, closed snaps. Also, I don't know what the acid might do to the vinyl or the particular type of decals on it.

I'm afraid to force them apart... because of tearing the vinyl.

I can't use heat... because of melting the vinyl.

A screwdriver will more than likely scratch the chrome snaps...

It this a simple case for WD-40? Or, is there some other penetrating rust dissolver that won't damage the pads?

Has anyone ever tested a vinyl pad in an oxalic acid dip? I'm thinking once I do get the snaps apart, the acid dip might still be the best way to clean them up.

Thanks!

[ February 12, 2007, 02:36 PM: Message edited by: area211 ]

the oxalic acid thread would not direct you to soaking that snap. May cause it to bond tighter.

I would try some very light penetrating lubricant drips so that it pulls to the crevice rather than spilling onto the pad. Sounds like a slow multi-week project to be most careful?

Those darned pad buttons were tempermental even when they were only a summer old with light rain on them! ahhh, the good ol days.

i would try wd-40 first. might take a while, but i'm pretty sure it won't damage anything.

maybe you should consider replacing the snaps, also.

replace the snaps is the right thing to do ,,if you get 2 small screwdrivers you could wedge them in both side at the same time ,,after the wd-40,,or use a hack saw cut right down the middle,,replace the snaps ,,the whole kit is like 10.00,,use stainless marine grade snaps

OK. I was able to pry the snaps apart tonight without too much trouble. Fortunately, the snaps were pretty clean where the snap holds itself together... But there is quite a bit of rust on the insides of the snaps as well as a bit on the outsides.

There is also a slight presence of mildew on the inner part of the vinyl cover. The white outside vinyl is fine but needs some cleaning around the snaps.

So, part one is taken care of; but, I still have the rust removal matter. Still replace the snaps even though they are back in working order? Or do I attempt an acid dip anyway to clean the remaining rust off them and keep the originals on there?

[ February 12, 2007, 09:59 PM: Message edited by: area211 ]

Maybe just spot treat the snaps with the acid mix. Scrub them with acid solution wetted q-tips and an old toothbrush. Just a thought.
Dan W Rockford IL

Now, Scott Loveless called me a mad scientist? Nutz maybe, but I'm not mad about anything....

OK, nothing better than hardcore science, even if it is a bit nutty!

The answer to the question: I don't know. But I will tomorrow!

And I will dupe the results into the OA thread for all to keep in reference.

Before


I still get a lot of questions about the mixture, and concentration.

So.....I am going to be far more scientific about it this time.

First, fill the container you are using EXACTLY to the line below the brim with water. Note; this should be a SMALL container.

Second, using an OFFICIAL Snap On brand scale, or ruler, measure out EXACTLY 1 7/8 inches of Oxalic Acid. Note this is NOT by weight, OR by volume, but BY LENGTH! This is far more precise. You will see that I have included a metric conversion on the ruler as well here.

Third, mix 3 times clockwise, and 3 times counter clockwise. Note; Er, question, do the clocks go counter clockwise south of the equator like the toilets do when they flush???

Remember, it's not cookie dough, don't lick the extra crystals off your fingers, it does NOT taste like sugar.

Measuring.




Soaking.




Relax, watch some TV, take 2 beverages of choice, and I'll call you tomorrow with your test results.

T

[ February 13, 2007, 04:33 AM: Message edited by: Ted Carl ]

I find Pb blaster to work well with rust. Gottin me out of a jam quite a few times.

Still soaking. Working like a charm.

I'll let you see the results tonight. Im just gonna let'er soak til I get home from work late tonight...

Well, I am not going to make any guarantees about logos on the pads, but it sure looks pretty good to me!


These snaps were pretty rough. I hit them with a 10 second polish to make the dull go away.

Mine came out great! It even got rid of the black moldy looking stuff!

No guts no glory (of course mine was a single stem pad one step from the trash can....lol )...My vote is for dunking it, polishing the snappers, and then washing them out with some hand cleaner and the all important "Crest Spin Brush-tooth brush" (Not your wife's), and then oiling them up and installing them on the bike.

I would still be a little careful with the logo until you can prove it wont go away like the moldy stuff.





Cheers!

[ February 14, 2007, 03:28 AM: Message edited by: Ted Carl ]

I can see an image in that right snap, is that the virgin Mary? Ted it is truly a miracle!

Thanks to Ted and all you guys that chimed in with some advise.

I'm finally posting pics for reference of my results. The snaps were much worse than I thought (on the inside anyways). You can see metal has been completely eaten away from oxidation. The outsides, however, are not too bad (except for one snap with some bad pitting). It functions and I think it ends up showing pretty nice... I know it could be perfect with new snaps; but at this point, I plan on keeping it original unless the snaps continue to corrode.

Before the dip:


The dip: I bent some electrical conduit to hold the graphics out of the acid (just in case). Yeah, probably overly cautious, but...


After the dip... and a little polishing:

I got some Torker pads on e-bay ($16.95!!) with snaps way worse than those. I drilled them out, replaced them with some new ones ($1.95) and presto! Decent pads for under $20