Removing a Stuck Seatpost Using Chemistry

[@pompeymonkey3271]

I wish I'd known this fifteen years ago when I trashed my (rather neglected) '96 Merckx trying to remove a Chorus seatpost. Ho hum. Live and learn etc. ;)

[@Gribbo9999]

Seriously, NEVER put poisonous or caustic liquids in an unmarked drinks bottle!

[@PiersWebster]

No blackcurrants were harmed/consumed in the making of this film. Promise.

[@freds4703]

Agree 100%. Handling lye is not a joking matter. See my comment regarding the danger of this procedure.

[@edwardallan197]

Yeah, partner! Take no prisoners! All resistance is FUTILE.... "no" is not an acceptable answer! OUT DAMN POST! You escalated to chemical power correctly sahib! ❤

[@ln1577]

Congratulations, it's good that you finally succeeded, and only small losses around. My memories - a few words: This method is effective. The scenario presented here is very dangerous. The reaction is highly exothermic. The solution may foam and bubble for hours. Hydrogen is released. It's worth being outdoors. But how to protect cats, hedgehogs, birds and children from getting burned? The solution should be replenished from time to time because the process takes a very long time, which means that checks must be made. After etching, you need to have easy access to running water to rinse the frame perfectly. And then dry it thoroughly, clean our tube with a wire brush on a drill, remove filings, and finally pour oil over the frame and protect it against corrosion... The best thing that happened to me was that before digestion, I met a plumber who showed me his hands. They were full of sodium hydroxide scars. When fire burns us, we feel pain immediately. The hydroxide we use burns gently. But deep. I cut off the seatpost at the top, glued a kind of funnel on it, and sealed the area around the pipe from the bottom, on the bottom bracket side. Thanks to this, the mud fell down and I could conveniently pour the newly added liquid from the top. In the funnel, the solution boiled like soup and splattered. Previous attempts with a punch, two car jacks, pouring kerosene or heating were not effective... If two or three days with WD-40 or kerosene do not help, it is worth dissolving it immediately with hydroxide.

[@PiersWebster]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Yes, it's nasty stuff. That's why I kept the solution relatively week and took around 5 days, changing the solution every 24 hours. It still fizzes and makes a mess though!

[@JohnWilkinson-f4k]

I have had this problem with a disaster. So the latest stuck seat post l took it to the seatpost man in Chorley. Total success. This is dangerous and bonkers!!

[@JamesDavis-kp4ll]

"So I've gone over it with a Sharpee...," 😂🙌💞

[@PiersWebster]

She still hasn't noticed ;-)

[@robertlitherland4459]

Great video! Did mine last week took 6 days to remove . Mine was a 400mm seat post that had 300mm inserted. I made the mix a bit weaker it all most dissolved the post . No Damage to the paint work whatever

[@PiersWebster]

Nice work! Yes, it's pretty evil stuff - amazing how the paintwork seems to remain intact though.

[@kangt650]

just want to know, Will this damage the hi ten or chromoly material tube in the future, such as becoming brittle?🤔

[@pierswebster9629]

Not that I'm aware of. All good so far.....

[@twintwitch1]

Why would they use low carbon steel with an investment cast BB shell

[@bikerebuilder]

Well done. I’ve only done this once before but it was a nasty job. Mine was bubbling away like a witch’s cauldron 😂

[@PiersWebster]

It does bubble, doesn't it?! Audible evidence that a chemical reaction is taking place!

[@kieranbarry8193]

wouldnt gallium have been less messy?

[@PiersWebster]

No idea - never tried it

[@alans1816]

It's good you didn't splash it into your eye. You could have lost an eye.

[@edwardallan197]

Tell the next stuck part what happened to this one. It may be more agreeable! !