Chain rust is bad news for many reasons. Not only does it look bad, it can cause your chain to break or worse yet, it can wear down your bike’s drivetrain.  

The good news is that most bike rust is just surface rust and can be removed quickly and easily using only a bit of baking soda or vinegar.

Let’s look at the many methods of rust removal so that we can get your bike shining and spinning again!

Protect Your Bike

It almost goes without saying that you don’t want to damage your bike when trying to remove rust.

Always be gentle as surface rust isn’t worth scratching your bike over.

When you’re using any products, you should use them as directed, and as tempting as it may be, don’t try to scrape the rust off with a hard metal edge. Otherwise, you may be finding yourself doing some touch-up painting as well.

Removing Rust on Bike Chain

Getting rust on a bike chain is common and one of the most intuitive ways to remove it is to oil it first.

Sometimes oiling and wiping it off with an old rag can be sufficient, which is especially true for surface rust.

Patience is key here.

First, place the bike upside if you don’t have a bike rack to keep it secured while you clean it.

Dropping a bit of oil on each of the rusty spots or links and then using a cloth to wipe it can get the job done.

Sure, this is going to take a while to do the whole chain but it’s better than having to replace the chain, right?

Many riders believe that smothering oil over the chain and then riding it is the best way to oil a chain, however, the key to doing it right is to make sure that each link of the chain is lubed, rather than soaked, in order to get into all the tiny crevices and expel hard to reach rust.

Using WD-40 on Rusty Bike Chains

WD-40 is also perfect for removing chain rust and most certainly, either you or someone you know will have a spare bottle handy. 

If using oil on your bike chain hasn’t cleared up the rust, then WD-40 could be your next step. 

WD-40 is more of a cleaner than it is a lubricant. In fact, it’s not really a lubricant at all.

This means that it can work wonders at removing rust, particularly surface rust, but if you’re using it on a chain, you’re likely to find that you’re going to want to apply some lubricant afterward.

Using Baking Soda to Remove Rust from a Bike

Using baking soda is more of a home-based method and not a method you’ll likely see at your local bike shop.

Baking soda is a mild cleaner which means that it won’t damage anything, however, don’t be fooled by the word “mild”, it works effectively on rust and forces it to fade away quickly.

 Here’s how to do it: 

1. Mix Baking Soda and Water. Take equal amounts of warm water and baking soda and mix them in a bowl. If you have a lot of rust on your bike, you might want to add a higher ratio of baking soda.

2. Give the mixture a stir until it turns into a paste. Always keep a little extra baking soda and water on hand just in case you need more. Adding an extra bit of lemon helps to strengthen the mixture, so if the rusting is particularly bad, it could be worth doing.

3. Apply the Paste. A spatula or a brush works well to apply the mixture. Ensure that the paste is thick enough so that it doesn’t drip over other parts of the bike or the floor—if it does, it means it’s not thick enough and you’ll need to mix in more baking soda. Apply the paste evenly to all of the rusted areas. Leave it in place for around 15 minutes—this is the best time for maximum effectiveness. If you leave it for less than 10 minutes, the paste won’t have time to set and therefore won’t remove the rust.

4. Remove the Paste. To remove the paste, you can use a sponge, toothbrush, or steel wool. When you’re scrubbing, you should notice that the rust is coming off with the paste…hopefully revealing a shiny chain! Having said that, if you’re not seeing a change, then give the process another go. When you’re happy with the result, rinse the chain and dry your bike completely as this will help to prevent further rusting.

After, if you can, store your bike in a dry place.

How to Use Vinegar or Coca-Cola To Remove Rust from a Bike

Vinegar, Coca-Cola, and various types of citric acid are strong enough to break down rust.

1. Spray your Bike. First, we recommend that you throw on some plastic gloves before you start this method. Pour either vinegar, Coca-Cola, or a citric acid like lime juice, into a spray bottle. Similar to baking soda, there isn’t a required ratio here, so it’s down to your judgment and how badly your bike is rusted. Before spraying, wrap a bit of tin foil around a spare toothbrush. Spray the rusted area, then, with the toothbrush, scrub the affected area.

2. Add Baking Soda. If vinegar or Coca-Cola isn’t doing the trick then you add some baking soda to the mix. This will create a stronger mix and help to remove the rust. One thing that is worth noting is that you shouldn’t add too much baking soda as it can make the mixture too strong, causing damage to your bike. Once the solution is mixed, spray it onto the affected areas and scrub again!

3. Soak Rusty Parts. If you don’t want the hassle of scrubbing away the rust, you can soak the rusty parts of your bike in the vinegar or Cola mix. Leave the parts in the mixture for 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly using water. Be sure not to leave anything in the solution too long otherwise, it’s likely to cause damage to your bike!

How To Prevent Rust On Your Bike

We all know it’s better to try and prevent something rather than cure it, so here are a few steps you can take to keep your bike chain rust free.

Keep Your Bike Indoors 

If you can keep your bike in your house or somewhere that’s climate-controlled that would be amazing.

However, if you can’t, then at the very least, you should be looking at storing it in a shed or a bike shelter. This will keep your bike out of the elements and prevent it from getting wet!

Wipe Your Bike Down

After you’ve been riding in the rain, you should wipe your bike down, even if it’s just a bit of splash back from the road.

Just make sure your bike is generally dry.

Give special attention to shiny parts, so components like the chain, brake components, and derailleur.

Oil Your Bike 

Every single cyclist should own some oil. Giving your bike an oil should be something you do often.

Any component that’s exposed to the elements deserves your attention, especially the chain.

After cleaning and lubrication, make sure to wipe it down with a rag.

Final Thoughts

So there we have it! A few tried and true ways to remove rust from your bike.

Remember, don’t do anything that might make the issue worse or damage your bike. It’s better to be patient and get it right the first time around.