winter rust - advice please

[scouserinlondon]

My beloved trek pilot gets used in all weathers and sadly has to live outside during the day. I use the mickle method on the drive train once a week with a monthly deep clean with de-greaser. The bike gets a regular wipe over with a cloth and GT85 (because I like the smell), the only problem spot is little rust spots forming inside allen bolts. How do I remove/avoid them?

Thanks in advance.

 

[YahudaMoon]

You could remove and replace with titanium or stainless steel ? Could work out expensive though ?

Wire wool or Scotch Brite (TM) or even a pan scrubber will remove it to a certain extent. T Cut could work ? Brasso ?

 

[scouserinlondon]

You could remove and replace with titanium or stainless steel ? Could work out expensive though ?

Wire wool or Scotch Brite ™ or even a pan scrubber will remove it to a certain extent. T Cut could work ? Brasso ?

thanks, was wondering whether there was a gloopy grease I could put in to at least prevent it getting worse?

 

[smokeysmoo]

+1 for replacing them with titanium or s/steel, but +1 for the cost!

Other than that not much you can do IME. You could use the wire wool mentioned to clean them, then put a coat of clear lacquer on the insides, but remember to re-do this every time you fettle something as the allen wrench will damage it and you'll be back to square one.



[EDIT] FWIW I use a smear of my pedal grease on the H & L adjuster screws on the rear mech of my commuter as they are very prone to rusting, (Campag Veloce).

 

[YahudaMoon]

thanks, was wondering whether there was a gloopy grease I could put in to at least prevent it getting worse?

Oil lol.

Any oil el do. Sunflower, veg oil. chain oil, turps, white spirit. Anything oil based

 

[tyred]

A smear of Vaseline will keep the rust at bay and isn't as messy as normal grease.

 

[scouserinlondon]

A smear of Vaseline will keep the rust at bay and isn't as messy as normal grease.

Good shout. I'm such an idiot for over priced cycling specific stuff when actually a bit of jam would do the job.

 

[Moodyman]

Stainless steel bolts are worth the investment.

For the time being, you can clean bolt head with GT85 and smear with grease or vaseline (if you ain't got any grease)

 

[Mozzy]

Just got a can of GT85; is it pretty good stuff then? The fella in Alfords said Noooooo to WD and to use this stuff.

Sorry, hope this is not considered as off topic.

Mozzy

 

[Moodyman]

Just got a can of GT85; is it pretty good stuff then? The fella in Alfords said Noooooo to WD and to use this stuff.

Sorry, hope this is not considered as off topic.

Mozzy

It is good stuff if you use it for cleaning and lubing non moving parts - say derailleur springs.

It's not good enough for chain lubing though

 

[Mad at urage]

Degrease, clean the worst off, use Jenolite http://www.jenolite.com/shopping_cart_jenolite_automotive.htm (I prefer Kurust for heavy-duty rust inhibitor, but Jenolite for bright stuff as it doesn't turn it so black), then vaseline to protect.

No connection with either manufacturer apart from having used the products - a lot over the years!

 

[Zoiders]

Stainless steel bolts are worth the investment.

For the time being, you can clean bolt head with GT85 and smear with grease or vaseline (if you ain't got any grease)

No such beast as Stainless bolt's that don't rust.

The ones fitted already are most likely stainless steel but they rust anyway, most stainless steel could only be decsribed as rust resistant, it is in no way rust proof.

Get some plain oil and a cotton bud and put a smear/drop of oil inside the bolt heads and leave it to dry indoors with the heating on full whack, this works especialy well with preventing quill stem bolt heads from rusting.

I would never trust Titanium bolts, titanium while having excellent tensile strength does not hold a fine thread or an edge well.

 

[HovR]

Just got a can of GT85; is it pretty good stuff then? The fella in Alfords said Noooooo to WD and to use this stuff.

Wait.. Halfrauds gave some actual good advice? I'm impressed.

But more on topic, I have a bolt on my bike like this - If left outside for any length of time water will gather up inside the head and cause rust. What seems to have solved the issue for me is every time I clean the bike down I squirt a small amount of GT85 inside the head.

As others have suggested, grease would probably work better as a more maintenance free option, as long as you don't mind the aesthetic issues of having a lump of grease in the bolt heads of your bike.

 

[dellzeqq]

It is good stuff if you use it for cleaning and lubing non moving parts - say derailleur springs.

It's not good enough for chain lubing though

I think it's brilliant for chain lubing. A little squirt every day (I keep the can in the porch) gives you a silky smooth chain and keeps the sprockets pretty clean

All in all, miracle juice. A pity it doesn't come in pump form, rather than as an aerosol

and, regrettably, stainless steel will rust. Ti alloy bolts if the little specks of rust bother you.

 

[PoweredByVeg]

Get A4 grade stainless screws, marine grade. Also, try a magnet on anything called "stainless", if it's magnetic it'll probably rust a bit.

Ebay is good for stainless screws, cheaper than trying to save old rusty screws