HOW TO Remove rust from your old BMX and make the chrome sparkle

An easy to follow guide on how to remove rust from any BMX or any kind of steel frame. This method uses pool grade citric acid to dissolve rust - it's especially good at making old chrome sparkle. Mongoose, GT, Haro, Dyno, Redline.
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Video production by re-rides. ©2022 re-rides.

[@itsmecen50red70]

brooooooo you just made a lot of companies mad letting this cat out of the bag. I've spent hundreds of dollars on evaporust, clr and metal rescue. While they all work, they're all way too expensive. i just soaked 2 old hammers overnight, maybe 12 hours and they came up a treat. Even faster than a bought product. You the man thank you :)

[@re-rides]

My pleasure. Happy to help and thanks for watching.

[@rickdehoyos1080]

Nice job show me how to make a banana seat 🎉

[@Superogobongo]

I've seen a lot of videos dealing with rusty frames but yours is probably the best! I liked the attention to detail, for example the fact that used a post bath to neutralize the acid. Kudos and thanks.

[@re-rides]

Appreciate it. Thanks for watching.

[@semiliterate6930]

Awsome video, thx for mentioning the ratio and importance of neutralising the frame .😎

[@re-rides]

Thank you

[@auntbarbara5576]

BEST vid on this, cant wait to try, thank you!!

[@re-rides]

Thanks for watching.

[@anthonyreddy2834]

Awesome tutorial and easily the Best I've seen.

[@re-rides]

Thanks mate appreciate it

[@enriquegarciaquinones2135]

Excellent, thanks for sharing, very well detailed methodolgy!!!!

[@re-rides]

Thanks for watching.

[@getreal4371]

I'm going to have to do this on my 1983 Quicksilver. I have had it from new. Got it for my 15th birthday.

[@re-rides]

Gotta love a Quicky. I have an 81 20” and 24” neither were mine back then. I have crap hand me downs in ‘81.

[@ralphscanga2571]

Thanks for the info man it was very educational I'll do well with this thank you so much

[@re-rides]

No problem. Thanks for watching.

[@jonsharman6853]

This is an absolute game changer, in two hours time I’m going to look at an old GT chrome frame with lots of surface rust and wasn’t sure if it was too far gone for me, this has completely given me the confidence to buy it, I just looked up citric acid and my local store sells pure citric acid for £1.99 a box, this video is actually life changing, thankyou so much.

[@re-rides]

Perfect.

[@babbalonian2]

@@re-rides He needs to get out a stainless Scouring pad and go at it right? That is by far the stupidest thing Ive seen someone do. I can't imagine all the people watching this scratching the living s out of their old BMx using your stupid advice..

[@adambishop5739]

Great video buddy! Awesome results!

[@re-rides]

Thanks very much.

[@stephenwhite5444]

At Lowe's for $18 you can get a large black tub for mixing drywall mud or concrete in. It's about 36"x24" and 8" deep. That gives you approx 44" diagonally. You can also raise the level of the water by adding 2 liter or gallon jugs filled with water.

[@re-rides]

Great info. Cheers.

[@stuartsimpson8548]

Very cool. Thanks for the video. 👍

[@re-rides]

Thanks for watching.

[@blc2103]

Good video - very informative !!

[@re-rides]

Thanks for watching

[@abrahamracing2356]

Very enjoyable, I learn a lot. Thank for what you do! Regards!!

[@re-rides]

Thanks for the words of encouragement and watching.

[@kurtweber4813]

Great video mate.👍

[@re-rides]

Thanks for watching

[@Junior-fd8ux]

Wow. Probably the best rust removal video iv seen… wish I looked into this before going through my last chrome frame…. A lot of steel wool, aluminum foil, mothers polish and flitz polish used… and hours of elbow greese.

[@re-rides]

Thanks mate. Best method there is.

[@OldTimeyGraeme]

Yeah great video mate On point in every subject Perfectly done ✅

[@re-rides]

Thanks for watching

[@busstah]

awesome vid, i was a vinegar user,, but i will be changing over, thanks mate.

[@re-rides]

Much easier.

[@raimonddeieso7433]

Best tip I have seen for removing rust so far 😊

[@re-rides]

Thanks for watching.

[@medgart2154]

Thanks for sharing this, my old treasure will be getting a dip real soon.

[@re-rides]

Thanks for watching

[@michaelrizzi6448]

Nice to see how easy it is without using dangerous chemicals..cheers from america 🇺🇸 stay rad

[@re-rides]

Absolutely. And I think a better, more consistent result too. Thanks for watching.

[@laurencecook7209]

Great video 👍👍👍

[@re-rides]

Thanks mate

[@SharkAttackSkinder]

Nice work man 🦾

[@re-rides]

Thanks for watching mate.

[@psychokillah87]

Got a '97 mongoose rogue I'm going to restore. Reckon you might have just saved me the cost of re-chroming the frame. I've probably only got half the rust as that haro frame did and that came out pretty fresh. Good stuff man.

[@re-rides]

Yea. Always got to get rid of the rust first and see what you’re dealing with.

[@robertmarsh5786]

Great video, I'd of love to have seen the bars finished though!

[@re-rides]

I never did finish those bars lol. Looks like I’m doing another video on those.

[@danielseverino6144]

Nice and very clin

[@re-rides]

Thanks for watching.

[@danielseverino6144]

Is where do you buy this product

[@shawnlockett4676]

Still have my old school predator

[@re-rides]

Nice. What year?

[@bobbygzzz7116]

Thanks alot for info...im from usa...i was using vinegar...works pretty good...but others say citric acid works the best with less damage if u leave in bath to long...

[@re-rides]

Def citric in my view. The food grade citric acid also works but more expensive to buy.

[@usernametaken457]

This is the best!!!!! Thank you so much 😅😅

[@re-rides]

No problem

[@BeersBikesandTheFlag]

Awsome

[@re-rides]

Thanks for watching.

[@jim4707]

This does work really well, but a bit of caution man. Citric acid doesn't sound harmful but can and will burn skin badly if you get the undiluted stuff on you, so glove up!

[@re-rides]

Thanks for the info.

[@page76metalcraft19]

A fine S.O.S. pad works like butter and doesn't scratch the chrome. No soaking or chemicals necessary

[@re-rides]

Thanks for watching.

[@theLiveChive]

Thanks for sharing, I used this method with my old BMX bike I had for a kid and was impressed with the results. If you’re in Australia and can’t find a suitable container, try the big shell kiddie pool/sandpit things. Only $25 and fit my bike perfectly.

[@re-rides]

Awesome and thanks for the tip.

[@j.b.1526]

Dug out the old Schwinn XS Pro and put some new wheels, seat, and chain on it. Now to tackle the rust after a trip to the pool supply store.

[@re-rides]

Nice one JB. Let me know how you get on.

[@joeym.9868]

Awesome video man. I will be using this method for sure if I can find all the materials with no problems. Just curious, is this safe to be touching with bare hands the whole time?

[@re-rides]

Yep totally safe to handle, unlike Oxalic Acid. Citric Acid is basically concentrated lemon juice. That’s why I use it. Safer to have around kids and pets. Just don’t let them drink it though. 🤢

[@joeym.9868]

@@re-rides oh perfect. I got 2 kids and they get into everything. So I'd be worried about them opening it up

[@claytonkirby878]

Yeah I did similar but didn't neutralize ..thanks .for info

[@re-rides]

No worries. Thanks for watching.

[@tinocojohn1]

I use citric acid on all rusty frames, if it's not too bad I also use crumbled aluminium foil and Coca-Cola. Then polish.

[@re-rides]

Cheers. I might do a vid on the alternate methods too.

[@vsh510]

Bath didn’t mess up the stickers but you scratched the hell out of them

[@re-rides]

Getting removed and replaced anyway. So not being careful with those. Not everyone removes their decals so they like to know that the solution does not destroy them.

[@Junior-fd8ux]

I spent endless hours on my current frame… kinda of wish I had seen this video before hand lol. 95 villain on the way

[@re-rides]

It really is a quick and easy way to get rid of rust. Thanks for watching.

[@JorgeRamirez-np7ov]

😎👍

[@re-rides]

Thank you

[@nathanlittler1357]

Hi mate what are the ratios? I have bought the citric acid in the video but not to sure with the amount of water. Do you still use 400-500g with say example 40l container?

[@re-rides]

My tub is about 65 to 70ltr and I use 500g or half a container of crystals.

[@rosstaylor1545]

Hey mate just wanted to know if this process affects paint at all I have a chrome frame this is partially painted can I dip the whole thing.

[@re-rides]

Hey mate I haven’t had this affect my paint. Just don’t leave the frame in longer than you need. And if your frame is white make sure to use a fresh batch not an old batch that’s gone yellow. You don’t want any staining to occur.

[@rosstaylor1545]

@@re-rides thanks heaps.

[@danielseverino6144]

Would you buy this from please I'm at the simple situation thank you Great job

[@re-rides]

Thanks for watching.

[@MadMetalShop]

Meh. Once chrome is compromised itll just keep flaking away. And its sharp too! I might do this for very VERY light rust but if its anything significant better to just strip and rechrome or paint it. Also Evap-o-rust is a game changer and it wont hurt paint.

[@re-rides]

It all depends on the value of the frame. Not just monetary value. Here in Aus the cost to rechrome will cost $800 to $1000. Not worth it for most chrome frames. So removing the rust and keeping it clean once done is a far better option.

[@re-rides]

It all depends on the value of the frame. Not just monetary value. Here in Aus the cost to rechrome will be around $800 to $1000. Not worth it for most chrome frames. So removing the rust and keeping it clean once done is a far better option.

[@davinhiscock290]

Dad used fish emulsion on his xh ute that stop the rust spreading wonder if that be idea for inside of the frame

[@re-rides]

Don’t know that one. Let me know how you go if you give it a try.

[@anthonyreddy2834]

What is fish emulsion?

[@davinhiscock290]

@@anthonyreddy2834 fish oil Prevents further rusting

[@smck4769]

Does it damage the stickers? Should I just leave them on my old mongoose villain frame or try to take them off and reapply?

[@re-rides]

You won’t be able to remove old decals and reapply them later. They will be destroyed if removed. There are recreated decal sets available for many models.

[@carbonfibercreationswashin7213]

Wax the frame and fork with 5 or 6 coats of carnuba car wax. Wait 45 minutes between applications

[@re-rides]

Don’t know that one. Thanks

[@carbonfibercreationswashin7213]

@@re-rides Just for rust prevention to block out the air and moisture from the metal.

[@Yunasen]

Would Sulfamic acid work?

[@re-rides]

I’m sorry I don’t know what that is.

[@joeym.9868]

Anything special about the wash water/neutralizer?

[@re-rides]

Nothing special. Just helps to ensure all the acidity is gone.

[@lifegoeson1007]

What if you don’t something to soak the frame in?

[@re-rides]

There is a risk that without neutralising the acidity of the citric bath that moisture in the air can cause a more severe return of the rust. But if you have nothing to neutralise with, just washing down with lightly soapy tap water is pretty good.

[@mortonbeard2240]

Cover the non-submerged piece with paper towel or rag from the solution.

[@re-rides]

Great suggestion. Thanks

[@Bimmy420Leanin]

Are you selling that frame and fork?

[@re-rides]

Not yet I’m going to give it a bit of a resto first. It needs a bit of work on the fork crown and head tube are flared.

[@Terps_N_Trichs]

Whats a wheelie bin ?

[@re-rides]

Haha. I guess they get called a few things. It’s your big plastic bin on wheels that goes out on the street for the trash collectors. Usually stands above waist height and is big enough to hold a 20” and I believe a 24” frame and a heap of parts.

[@Terps_N_Trichs]

@@re-rides good to know, lol .. we call that a trash can or trash bin.

[@willjj9175]

What citric acid was that I can’t find it

[@re-rides]

That brand is only available here in Aus. But it’s pool grade citric acid salt stain remover. Check your local swimming pool shop. This one is like 98% citric. I wouldn’t use anything with too much other additives.

[@patsmith6405]

I have a mongoose that I’m not sure the age of. Any way of telling by the serial number?

[@re-rides]

Yep. There are a few pages on the internet that will help. ‘How to read GT BMX serial’ is a good search to start

[@patsmith6405]

@@re-rides I actually came across one of them and dated it to the best of my ability to an 08-09 mongoose bmx. Was hoping it was a little older. Thanks for the reply

[@michealwardle6526]

Second last number

[@imnxtsleepy]

got a gt dyno myself from the early 90s back when it was seen as one of the best bmx bikes to ride love it and doing a restoration on it now

[@rahmatpermata5650]

what kind of medicine for rust remover?

[@re-rides]

Sorry mate not sure.

[@rahmatpermata5650]

@@re-rides yes

[@concretenyc6826]

Will any Citric Acid powder due? That product you use seems to only be in AU, NZ & UK.

[@re-rides]

Hey I’d expect there would be a similar pool cleaning product available in most countries. Just make sure it’s as close to 100% citric acid as you can get.

[@loadedfun4764]

Methamatics 101

[@re-rides]

Definitely don’t need to be a methematician to remove rust from bike frames. Thanks for watching.

[@loadedfun4764]

@@re-rides who mentioned math?

[@re-rides]

@@loadedfun4764 meant to say methematician lol.

[@brooklyngolden9464]

Those other methods not being as good, honey that’s not your opinion that is a fact.

[@re-rides]

👍🏼

[@troyt6006]

PEOPLE GET THE STRANGEST TATOOS... MONKEY IN A SPACEMAN HELMET? WTF WAS THAT A LSD NIGHT?

[@re-rides]

Hahaha. I can see that. Thing is, all my tattoos I've drawn myself and have some kind of meaning to me. That one was pretty straight forward. Even though we try to steer our lives in certain directions, ultimately we have zero control over so many things that happen to us along the way. Sometimes I feel like i'm just a monkey in a space suit looking at the stars thinking WTF.