Trick for Removing Rust on a Bike

In this video I demonstrate an easy and affordable trick for removing corrosion from bicycle parts. All that is needed is some aluminum foil, water, and a clean rag. This trick only works for parts which are made of Chrome-plated (Chromium-plated) steel.
After demonstrating the procedure for removing the rust, I explain some of the science behind it and why it works so well. My theories are based mostly on my observations. Please be aware that I am not an expert in the field of metallurgy and I have not researched this topic extensively.
If you have any questions about this procedure, please leave a comment below.
I hope you enjoyed this video. Please COMMENT and subscribe!
Thanks for watching.

[@banburylitho4068]

I would have loved science at school if the teachers taught practical lessons like this chap

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks!

[@hudsonkhalid4623]

Sorry to be offtopic but does someone know of a way to log back into an instagram account..? I somehow lost the login password. I love any tricks you can give me

[@kevinkylo9297]

@Hudson Khalid instablaster =)

[@hudsonkhalid4623]

@Kevin Kylo I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im trying it out now. Seems to take quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@nicoleisturiz1974]

Understandable and useful😭

[@steveroberts6936]

Once you've cleaned off the rust and have a clear surface, apply a good quality car polish to it. This will help protect it from further rusting by creating a very thin film of wax or polymer on the surface, thus reducing the potential for further oxidisation.

[@carlandersonlll6861]

Or spray clearcoat on it so it will last for years.

[@72dodge340]

@@carlandersonlll6861 Until it flakes off and the next guy curses you forever.

[@Collas42]

@@72dodge340 😂

[@zerriox]

There's also some chrome polish you can buy in small tubes, often gets used on some old american muscle cat rims, polish with some microfiber or similar and you will never need a mirror at home.. 🤟🏻😂😉

[@geraldtakala1721]

Use the chrome polish instead of water

[@teshg]

Ive just recently got my bike out that's been at the side of the house for the past 2 years, was worried I wouldn't be able to sort it due to the rust but this worked really well, thanks!

[@gavinwkc]

Wow, this is such a super clear explanation of this common phenomenon that I never thought to be bothered with. Thanks again!!

[@cjhoyle]

No problem. Every time I use this technique, I'm amazed at how well it works!

[@vincentalykin]

This was a great video. I like the diagram/images that you used to explain the reason behind rust-formation and why aluminum foil gets rid of the rust. It makes the understanding of the process so much easier. Keep up the good work.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I'm glad you found it helpful :)

[@sanakauser09dec]

Steel may restore by rubbing aluminum foil but how to clean rust from nut bolts made from iron. I wld like to clean my father's bicycle kept in shed for 3 years which became rusty.. 😢 i must have to recover it at home. Could u plz guide easiest way to remove rust from iron!

[@tanyathompson8738]

This was the best explanation on RUST ever. Thanks for your effort

[@cjhoyle]

Thank you. Glad it helped!

[@jamiek3199]

Props on the vide dude, very well made and this should be the benchmark on how all other tutorials are made. Can always tell when someone knows their onions. Well done 😁

[@brightondude9327]

I think these neat well made videos with tips might start to gain a wider audience on KZbin. I do hope so they are excellent.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks. This is actually a remake of a video that I posted nearly 9 years ago. The original video has more then 500,000 views, and I'm hoping this one will eventually do nearly as well.

[@YOWADI3]

Very nice thanks

[@Jay-we2ek]

If you like the videos, fair enough.. But i totally fail to see why you want more people to watch it? It has zero bearing on your enjoyment. It makes no sense, at all.

[@SkaterTE]

I bought I used BMX , ty bro

[@KatanaRIDERS.]

@@cjhoyle question will they rust again if i do this and dies it work on thick rust

[@toddlenard7602]

This has been around a very long time. I was restoring a 68 Oldsmobile in the '80s and a fellow car enthusiast showed me how to do this to my chrome bumpers it worked very well.

[@cjhoyle]

Yes, definitely not a new trick.

[@MsCarolina143]

Love this! And thanks for explaining the science behind it too! Worked like a charm!

[@Delrada]

I just tried this on the fork legs of my motorbike, which had some rusting due to sitting still during lockdown. Wow! It really works. Instant success. Thank you.

[@cjhoyle]

Great to hear!

[@alexmorgan3435]

This guy has to be a chemistry teacher. Thank you.

[@SamanthaNickole02]

I really appreciated the chemistry mini refresher course!👍🏼

[@RobMacKendrick]

Thanks for the great advice! Some sources suggest using brass wool in these kinds of instances, but I find the steel tends to rub some of the brass off, leaving a yellowish cast on the work. With your approach, the steel is rubbing off aluminium, which isn't much different in colour from the chromium, so it's not a problem. I'll be using this technique for lots of stuff from now on. Thanks again!

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear!

[@tomtomtom731]

this is a superb right-to-the-point explanation! thanks I'm gonna try it.

[@BubblePi]

One of the rare times when youtube comes home with the goods - cheers to you cjhoyle 👏👏

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks!

[@wandagordon6437]

This video was so very helpful and educational. I followed the simple and easy instructions and my bike handle bars look almost brand new. Thank you for your video.

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear!

[@garyedwards3269]

Excellent information. Very in-depth and thorough. A joy to watch. Thanks for posting.

[@alkyoniGR]

Wow!!! This is a great update of an older video of this subject that you did a few years back! That was the 1st video i saw from your channel , after my brother suggested me to help me get of the rust of some parts of my bike!!!!! And then i strarted following your channel and help me with all these little "macgyver style" mechanic things you do , and entertain me with your wonderful rides :) I 've tryed it a few times, and it works!!!! Thank you for your time and the interesting , helpful videos! Keep it up CJ!!!!! Love and greetings from Greece!!!!! Yianna P. :)

[@cjhoyle]

That older video was actually posted nearly 9 years ago! I'm glad you enjoyed the new-and-improved version. Thank you Yianna for all your kind comments over the years!

[@alkyoniGR]

Thank you CJ, my pleasure ! Take care and have safe rides! ♥ :)

[@rayheatley9910]

Thank you, I had heard about using aluminum to remove rust from chrome but now thanks to you I know how to do it. You have made my life a bit brighter. Ray

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, happy to help!

[@cliffraven6749]

After cleaning with the foil and letting it dry can you close those pores with turtle wax this would prevent oxygen getting into the steel.

[@coffeyscarburetors6437]

Ive done this to bikes. If you dont keep it polished give it about a year and it will go back.

[@Cosplaygirl03]

I’ve heard about that. I’ll have to give it a try.

[@asamicat8323]

Good idea

[@p.doetsch6209]

After polishing soak with phosphoric acid then clean and wax and it shouldn't come back.

[@truantray]

@@p.doetsch6209 it will come back because the chrome nickel layer is already damaged and the iron will just oxidize again because wax will not seal for long. The real solution is just by an aluminum bar for $10, and it will be much lighter.

[@areyousureyouenteredyourna85]

As someone who collects and customizes old BMX, choppers, lowriders,and beach cruisers, this should be incredibly useful. Thanks.😎👍

[@megastick9324]

I’ve used foil and water on numerous motorcycle parts over the years. It works wonderfully. I’ve brought back many parts others would have thrown out. As long as the chrome hasn’t flaked of it works. The wax afterward is key to preservation. If you get to a weld joint or similar it’s sometimes not possible to get it nice. At that point I sometimes tape off the good chrome and paint the joint if it can look good and symmetrical. For instance, on a front crash bar, the point where the top bolt on and the ends bolt to the frame. You can tape both sides of the joint and paint the middle, where it connects to the frame. The paint will blend in with the frame and looks good.

[@LasseGreiner]

As Aluminium is also down the oxidation potential, reducing iron with aluminium will help. This would also explain why wetting is necessary. Without an electrolyte (such as water) oxidation is much slower. That is one reason why seawater is a corrosion accelerator.

[@doricdave7192]

Been using this for years now after restoring old BMX bikes, it’s brilliant

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, glad to hear!

[@uniworkhorse]

Very concise and helpful presentation. Really appreciate you for formatting the lesson in a way that respects our time!

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I appreciate hearing that. The structure of my instructional videos is something I've really been working on improving over the years.

[@danielanimalla7377]

@@cjhoyle Does this work on Scooter rustings too?

[@joshv6722]

Very informative I said aloud after watching, my wife said you should tel him. So here goes.. very informative!

[@cjhoyle]

Haha thank you very much to you and your wife!

[@PeterMaddison2483]

I said... WOW! It's amazing.

[@josephhackett9354]

This worked amazingly! I used this on the handlebar and any other chrome surface I could find then disassembled the rusty bolts and bike pedals and soaked them in Iron Out. 30 year old bike that's been sitting outside looks as good as new!

[@rich-qk7dc]

Feels good bringing something back to life doesn't it

[@MrRasZee]

you watched a video then went and got busy

[@SillyButWise]

I just bought a cheapo unicycle off Facebook marketplace for 20 bucks. It's so rusty, but I'm glad to see that there's a simple way to restore its Chrome shine!

[@kimberlyhardesty7858]

Awesome explanation! Thank you - shared it with several people. Always beneficial to know the “why”.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I couldn't agree more!

[@wiejetze8397]

Very good hint! Thanks! That is exactly my problem these days preparing a bike that stood for longer time in the cellar for use again.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks!

[@ungratefulbastard8166]

I love videos when you feed curiosity. Nice video .

[@jacobjames1171]

Thank you for this. I bought a used spin bike today that has a little surface on the chrome.

[@callumbjazevich5366]

Did it on my Commemcal Absolut dirt jumper fork and it worked like magic... Thank you

[@25inspector]

I removed rust off an 1967 CCM 3 Speed fenders and rims with this technique. I worked very well. Thank you.

[@jozefsk7456]

i was one day away from stripping away just slighty rusted chrome handlebars and painting them. Thx a lot . A lot of work saved

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear you found this trick first!

[@lailingfrancislam4056]

You are precise , direct and convincing. Please teach us more.

[@cjhoyle]

haha thank you! I have quite a few tutorials on KZbin.

[@ColinTorrible]

Wow! Thank you for relating this tutorial towards chemistry. I learned not only what I came for but why what I am cleaning gets rusty.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks. Glad it was helpful.

[@gigihentz5510]

I've never liked chemistry but thank God, there are people like you....great trick, it works just perfect !!

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear it worked for you too. Thanks.

[@bAc0nBoY755]

This is the best video I've seen on the topic, thanks!!

[@TheReality_TV]

Literally the best way to remove rust , thanks a lot man

[@keithbrewster8427]

Thank you. Very clear explanation with well crafted diagrams. Congratulations on a great video. 👏

[@hiimdominic3780]

Great video!!! I love how informative it is. I can tell that you care about teaching 👍🏼

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks!

[@eyeonart6865]

I was Leary but tried it on a rolling storage cart they someone put next to garbage it had some rust on it took it home and it totally worked. Thanks ever so much.

[@cjhoyle]

Glad it worked for you!

[@jorgechaux2506]

I just subscribed!! You are very professional and amazing...wow!! You should have a TV show. God bless u!

[@bojack-horseman]

my bike's fork was more rust than chrome yesterday, now it looks almost new. thanks bro

[@cjhoyle]

Nice work!

[@vinmat3558]

Honest presentation of a good solution, with caution about limitation of aluminum scratching paint. Thanks.

[@cjhoyle]

No problem!

[@shanehaslett1535]

Wow, thanks buddy! Restoring an 80’s DYNO GT AIR all chrome for my son. Has some light rust just on the frame. This is awesome and hope it works. Ty.

[@Nateboogie805]

Dad of the year !

[@Work_G]

After year from uploading this video popped up in recommends and I definitely will use this trick for my ATV project, thanks!

[@cjhoyle]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@SamsungChat335Blog]

Great info and explanation! This is the kind of content that makes KZbin a great place.

[@AbdullahBasit24]

Agreed. I enjoy watching such videos.

[@cjhoyle]

Thank you, I appreciate it!

[@jerrydc818]

The explanation and graphics made the video a whole lot better. Thanks for posting.

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear, thanks!

[@donaldfranklin5391]

Thanks for the video in tips on how to get rid of rust on handlebars

[@jdillon8360]

Nice clear explanation and great visual examples. Well done and thank you!

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks.

[@behrpalomo4479]

Thank you, I’m looking forward to cleaning up my motorcycle chrome with this tip.

[@cjhoyle]

No problem, best of luck!

[@amirashea2463]

Thanks for sharing this. Nice to see the science behind it as well.

[@cjhoyle]

No problem, thanks for watching.

[@davidjimenez2996]

Great tip. Will try in on the pipes of my motorcycle

[@edgarperez1141]

Wow, excelent solution, I have recover a part of my bike in just 10 minutes, many thanks.

[@genregurl]

The nerd in me loves this. I'm refinishing a vintage project bike right now, so this was cool to watch.

[@cjhoyle]

Awesome! This trick has come in handy for me too while restoring vintage bikes.

[@aitorbleda8267]

You could disolve the rust afterwards with evaporust or similar, clean, and give it a clear coat.

[@cjhoyle]

I've heard that car wax can also help to seal the surface and limit future rust. In my case, I'm fine with it gradually rusting again over time so I don't bother with that.

[@firstmkb]

I love Evaporust!

[@msk3905]

This works like a champ, been using it on my bikes for years

[@cjhoyle]

Good to hear!

[@Brian-ft4dh]

Very thorough vid, thanks for giving info on the science of it too to broaden our understanding!

[@mpt12345]

Thank you for this helpful tip!

[@waltw8230]

Wow just actually makes a lot of sense thanks for breaking it down

[@cjhoyle]

No problem, glad it was helpful.

[@superviola88]

your extra effort in creating those diagrams really made a difference

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@irvsstella]

FANTASTIC! I'll be using this technique on some old forks. Thank you!!!

[@PeterMaddison2483]

Hows this going to work on old folk? LOL

[@dinkc925]

I can't wait to try this on the classic Schwinn bicycle my father bought for me when I was twelve. Thank you!

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, best of luck with your project :)

[@grantperkins368]

How did it go? Old Schwinns are cool.

[@davidcarruthers8274]

thats excellent. I'm just about to restore a 1980 bike and this will really help me a lot

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, glad you found it helpful.

[@jonathandescostes2263]

This SUPER worked in my case, thank you so very much!!!!!

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear!

[@masterfuckerfuckface3376]

Excellent video, worked quite well on my mum's rusted handlebars.

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear, nice work!

[@ricardosanchez2610]

Thank you! This really works!!

[@jrh5544]

Who else just got out their bike after 2 years of it sitting in the shed? 😂

[@kryptex_wolf5681]

Mine has been 6 years and since yesterday this bike litreally gave me pain in the arse

[@brianik8100]

nah bout like 5- 6 years 😭😭

[@brianik8100]

@@kryptex_wolf5681 sameeee rllly need new seats fo men

[@lothburke2243]

10 years in the shed 🤣🤣🤣

[@sufiannavi3266]

Me

[@RampartPh]

thanks for the tip. i should've seen this earlier.

[@prajeethk4348]

Very well explained, brother with excellent animation. My doubts about what chome is gone. Keep up the good work...

[@EricHeston98]

great video and great scientific explanation

[@frankviramontes139]

Thanks for the excellent explanation. Great job 👏 👍

[@mikelandry3375]

Thank you. You always have great tips.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoy them.

[@johnpaulmakowski7464]

Excellent informative video. I've been refinishing surfaces fir decades, and this is the first time I found out about using aluminum foil and water.

[@cjhoyle]

Nice!

[@ginawalker9286]

which dide of the Alluminium foil should I use? Also water dripping filth onto brake cables? Yeah. No.

[@ginawalker9286]

So it can be used on gorks attached to the ftont wheel with water? I was toldnot to do this. Use a beillo pad carefully. Nothing should go near the forks or they will seize up, same as the beakes

[@StevethecavemanLive]

wonderful video, going to try this before letting go of my old bike :)

[@cjhoyle]

Great idea. Best of luck!

[@chrisreibold1634]

Now to try this on my old GT Interceptor. Nice video!

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, best of luck!

[@anaf4072]

The best video on the topic!

[@streetratt9999]

You absolute legend! Thankyou so much!

[@ericshiver3734]

I don't know why but on top of the video being very informative, the editing skills were Fantastic

[@dylanchapman6403]

Thank you so much for this . I just tried this on my mini moto and now i can sort it for the summer so it can get shiny 😁

[@cjhoyle]

Nice work!

[@andrewh214eslo]

This really works! Thank you

[@desiarnaz7739]

Great video and very educational, keep them coming please. Thank you!

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks!

[@casperthegm741]

Confirmed, it works. Great tip, thank you.

[@cjhoyle]

No problem, thanks.

[@lindabeataczepiel2671]

Science, yeah biatch! Thank you for a great tips!

[@mvp_kryptonite]

Rim brakes for the win!! Great video as usual

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks.

[@senecagordon5472]

This actually worked great on my bike

[@Ruzzett]

Brilliant! Thank you.

[@spencerreinstein7352]

This is so smart I cant believe I didt know it at all..Ill use this not only on my Bicycle collection but my motorcycles aswell, thanks so much Im subscribing🎸

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@michaellawson6533]

Thank you very much for that genius idea.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks.

[@williamsaloka9043]

Excellent vid. and really helpful tip!!

[@franciscodocalgarcia3278]

Very nice vid, thank you! I am looking into getting an old dutch bike, and almost all of them have some rusty spots, but with this trick, I am hopeful :D

[@cjhoyle]

For sure, good luck!

[@lilyleclaire]

thank you! this works wonderfully 🤩

[@cjhoyle]

No problem, glad to hear.

[@KhanhNguyen-gd8fv]

Nice video. I love your explanation. May your channel grow exponentially!

[@cjhoyle]

haha thanks!

[@robertcox8066]

wow! definitely goin to try this. thanx again!

[@cjhoyle]

No problem, hope it helps!

[@Moon-magic109]

I enjoyed your video, thank you for posting.

[@jdubs1007]

Thank you!! , Awesome video and lesson.

[@cjhoyle]

No problem.

[@caryswansong2197]

That's awesome, thank you!