Loosen rusty chain

[Clarkk]

After an initial clean, use a scouring pad and degreaser for further rust removal. Dampen pad, wipe rust forcefully. To eradicate remaining rust, soak chain in degreaser for 20 minutes.

 

[Robert Troub]

So I have a skiptooth chain that was bent and rusted stiff. After soaking it in gasoline for about 3 days and wiggling at it by hand almost half or so of the links move but most are still stuck stiff. I was thinking i would let it soak a few more days and hit it with a rubber hammer or something then switch to oil. What can be useful in loosening a rusted chain?

Time to buy a new chain.....

 

[morton]

best degreaser easy off oven cleaner original formula yellow can

i use an old metal pot.......dump chain in pot, spray liberally & let sit 2-3 minutes & use an old stiff paint brush to loosen any heavy grease, hose off with lots of water, hang chain on nail and hit with a heat gun to dry., then oil/wax/whatever you prefer.

I sometimes use wd 40 (water displacement) after cleaning if storing for later use, NOTE; WD 40 IS NOT. REPEAT NOT A GOOD CHAIN LUBE OR RUST BUSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wear rubber gloves unless you're going for the parchment paper skin look

 

[49autocycledeluxe]

I recently put a couple chains in my vibratory tumbler. one was pretty stiff, they both move like a new chain now.

I should have taken before and after pictures.

 

[byke!punk]

Time to buy a new chain.....

If WD40 and a wire brush doesn’t bring it back to life I don’t want it.

 

[mr.cycleplane]

i get it that dropping a $150-200 for a pristine diamond chain for your bike can take a bite out of your collecting fun but dropping by the local walmart and picking up a bike chain for $3 seems to make sense. also many cabers offer used skip tooth chains(walmart doesn't have these!) that are decent for riders. a chain like the one being revived here when finally put to use will only tear up the chrome on the chain ring and rear sprocket.

 

[Dra]

One quart did 3 chains and 2 Christy saddles to try it out. Now I keep a gallon around. The chains I soaked in lube after to stop them from rusting again

 

[Clarkk]

Dealing with recurring rust on your bike chain can be frustrating, but proper maintenance can prevent it.

 

[slick]

I don't believe anyone has addressed if any of these remedies will remove the bluing on the chain links or not.

Also.... has anyone figured out a way to check chains for stretch? I seem to have a few that are stretched pretty bad. Tight...loose,....tight.... loose.

 

[Rivnut]

You can find inexpensive chain stretch gauges on line. I have one that came with a pair of chain pliers. A few years ago it was around $10 for both., The gauge is a go / no-go type.