I’m fixing up an old BMX for my daughter and there’s a fair bit of top rust on the chrome handlebars and seat post that needs removing. Having looked about the interweb, there seems to be three favoured methods:

1 – Apply oil to the rust then rub down with fine steel wool.
2 – WD40 onto the rust then rub with a brillo pad.
3 – Tin foil dipped in coke – then rub.

Has anyone tried any of these methods – which is the most effective ?

I worked on a bike building project with some youngsters who had the same probs. The BMX was a full chrome version and was pretty rusty. I used the first method and was amazed by the results. The whole bike came up really shiny. The kids were pretty impressed and it didnt take long either.

I did use wd instead of a thicker oil.

I expect the chrome plate is pitted
You may get some of the rust out but it’ll always be a nuisance

Autosol polish and steel wool would also do the trick.

Cheers fellas – I’ll go with method 1 as I have wire wool and oil and see how it goes. To be honest, (my eldest daughter) Thea’s not that fussed…she’s just excited about the prospect of riding a ‘proper bike’ 🙂 Bunny hops and endos by the end of summer !