Oxalic acid is chromes best friend
#1
Eater of carbs
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Daytona Beach
Posts: 215
Bikes: 1989 Trek 330
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Oxalic acid is chromes best friend
In a recent thread about my 81 Univega someone suggested using Oxalic acid to restore my chrome forks. I think it may have worked. You be the judge.
Before:
After:
I think it worked.
I used two cups in about three gallons of water (I would have used less if I had a smaller container to hold the forks) and let it soak for three days. The third day wasn't really necessary. It looked like this on day two. A quick coat of Mothers chrome polish and it shines pretty good. It's certainly not perfect but it keeps me from having to paint over a cool part of that old frame. Thanks to whoever suggested this stuff. It works miracles.
Before:
After:
I think it worked.
I used two cups in about three gallons of water (I would have used less if I had a smaller container to hold the forks) and let it soak for three days. The third day wasn't really necessary. It looked like this on day two. A quick coat of Mothers chrome polish and it shines pretty good. It's certainly not perfect but it keeps me from having to paint over a cool part of that old frame. Thanks to whoever suggested this stuff. It works miracles.
#3
Señor Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hardy, VA
Posts: 17,925
Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1492 Post(s)
Liked 1,095 Times
in
641 Posts
Not to hijack the thread, but how the heck is Mother's supposed to work? Whenever I use it, I get a haze. I put very little on and rub like mad. It starts to look pretty good, but then it heads downhill in a hurry.
__________________
In search of what to search for.
In search of what to search for.
#4
Eater of carbs
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Daytona Beach
Posts: 215
Bikes: 1989 Trek 330
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You put the polish on wet and let it dry to a haze and then polish the hazy bits with a dry cloth. Kind of like regular car wax.
That's how I use it anyway.
That's how I use it anyway.
#7
Eater of carbs
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Daytona Beach
Posts: 215
Bikes: 1989 Trek 330
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I got a pound from a seller on ebay who sells it for cleaning iron stains from rocks.
https://cgi.ebay.com/1-Pound-Oxalic-A...QQcmdZViewItem
He has a bunch left. At the time that I did the search he had the best prices (for both quantity and shipping). Other products have oxalic acid in it as well. This monster thread on a vintage BMX forum goes fairly in depth and has tips for usage:
https://www.vintagebmx.com/cgi-bin/ul...4;t=004702;p=1
https://cgi.ebay.com/1-Pound-Oxalic-A...QQcmdZViewItem
He has a bunch left. At the time that I did the search he had the best prices (for both quantity and shipping). Other products have oxalic acid in it as well. This monster thread on a vintage BMX forum goes fairly in depth and has tips for usage:
https://www.vintagebmx.com/cgi-bin/ul...4;t=004702;p=1
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,055
Mentioned: 201 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3015 Post(s)
Liked 3,804 Times
in
1,408 Posts
Originally Posted by amnomad
Where did you get the Oxalic acid?
#10
Eater of carbs
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Daytona Beach
Posts: 215
Bikes: 1989 Trek 330
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't know. It doesn't get much easier than just pouring some powder into water and then putting your part into the solution and forgetting about it for a day or two. No elbow grease involved. Or scratches for that matter.
#11
Stop reading my posts!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,584
Mentioned: 90 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1444 Post(s)
Liked 1,063 Times
in
788 Posts
Originally Posted by amnomad
Where did you get the Oxalic acid?
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,959
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I think I was one of the oxalic prostely... I don't know how to spell that word. Wow. I've contributed something.
It works awesome, don't it? Almost unbelievable. And steel wool by no measure is easier than oxalic acid. I steel wooled three bikes before I discovered oxalic acid and I will never go back. All the acid does is eat the rust, it doesn't touch anything else.
It works awesome, don't it? Almost unbelievable. And steel wool by no measure is easier than oxalic acid. I steel wooled three bikes before I discovered oxalic acid and I will never go back. All the acid does is eat the rust, it doesn't touch anything else.
__________________
fun facts: Psychopaths have trouble understanding abstract concepts.
"Incompetent individuals, compared with their more competent peers, will dramatically overestimate their ability and performance relative to objective criteria."
fun facts: Psychopaths have trouble understanding abstract concepts.
"Incompetent individuals, compared with their more competent peers, will dramatically overestimate their ability and performance relative to objective criteria."
#15
FalconLvr
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SW Virginia
Posts: 1,298
Bikes: 62 Falcon, 58 Raleigh Lenton Gran Prix, 74 Raleigh Pro, 75 Raleigh Int, 75 Raleigh Comp, 76 Colnago Super, 75 Crescent, 80 Peugeot PX10, plus others too numerous to mention!
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 51 Post(s)
Liked 112 Times
in
68 Posts
From Wikpedia - Proselytism is the practice of attempting to convert people to another opinion
#16
FalconLvr
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SW Virginia
Posts: 1,298
Bikes: 62 Falcon, 58 Raleigh Lenton Gran Prix, 74 Raleigh Pro, 75 Raleigh Int, 75 Raleigh Comp, 76 Colnago Super, 75 Crescent, 80 Peugeot PX10, plus others too numerous to mention!
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 51 Post(s)
Liked 112 Times
in
68 Posts
I recently picked up some wood bleach at a local Lowes. You need to look at the ingredients, find the one that says "Contains Oxalic Acid", that is your score!
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,959
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Originally Posted by evwxxx
From Wikpedia - Proselytism is the practice of attempting to convert people to another opinion
__________________
fun facts: Psychopaths have trouble understanding abstract concepts.
"Incompetent individuals, compared with their more competent peers, will dramatically overestimate their ability and performance relative to objective criteria."
fun facts: Psychopaths have trouble understanding abstract concepts.
"Incompetent individuals, compared with their more competent peers, will dramatically overestimate their ability and performance relative to objective criteria."
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,404
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Here's where I buy mine... https://www.chemistrystore.com/oxalic_acid.htm
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 394
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by McDave
Here's where I buy mine... https://www.chemistrystore.com/oxalic_acid.htm
Can't beat that!
#20
hunter, gatherer
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,183
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
has anyone tried citric acid as an alternative ?
i have heard it highly recommended for flushing radiators and cooling systems on cars
it seems to be derived naturally and so might be a bit friendlier to use
i have heard it highly recommended for flushing radiators and cooling systems on cars
it seems to be derived naturally and so might be a bit friendlier to use
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,959
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Oxalic acid is naturally occuring stuff too. It occurs in plants a lot, even stuff we eat. Check above, unworthy describes a flower that produces a lot of it.
__________________
fun facts: Psychopaths have trouble understanding abstract concepts.
"Incompetent individuals, compared with their more competent peers, will dramatically overestimate their ability and performance relative to objective criteria."
fun facts: Psychopaths have trouble understanding abstract concepts.
"Incompetent individuals, compared with their more competent peers, will dramatically overestimate their ability and performance relative to objective criteria."
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,959
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Information I've found refers to the powder as a somewhat nasty substance because it can burn or be inhaled and damage the lungs, etc., but dissolved in water it's a pretty weak acid and heavily diluted it can be sent down the drain. Otherwise you're supposed to nuetralize it first. I've only really found reference to industrial applications so my guess is the amount you'd be using for a bike is so small that it's not going to harm anything. It's not a known carcinigen, for example.
__________________
fun facts: Psychopaths have trouble understanding abstract concepts.
"Incompetent individuals, compared with their more competent peers, will dramatically overestimate their ability and performance relative to objective criteria."
fun facts: Psychopaths have trouble understanding abstract concepts.
"Incompetent individuals, compared with their more competent peers, will dramatically overestimate their ability and performance relative to objective criteria."
#25
Eater of carbs
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Daytona Beach
Posts: 215
Bikes: 1989 Trek 330
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by McDave
Here's where I buy mine... https://www.chemistrystore.com/oxalic_acid.htm
*Edit* and more rust- this stuf is a pretty good rust remover. You should have seen the orange grunge that came out of my forks.
Last edited by Kinetikx; 01-19-07 at 05:52 PM.