
- Spray WD-40 Multi-Use Product directly onto the affected rusty surface.
- Allow to sit for 10 minutes.
- Use a wire brush to scrub at the unwanted rust.
- Then use a clean rag to wipe off the residue.
- Repeat the process until clean. Pro Tip: Now your bicycle chain is repaired and rust-free, why not keep it in tip-top condition by lubricating it with WD-40 BIKE® ...
How do you clean a rusty bike chain?
How to Clean a Rusty Bike Chain?
- Baking Soda. One popular alternative that you can go for when removing rust from your bike chain is baking soda. ...
- WD40. Another good alternative to bike chain lube for your rusty chains is the WD40 Trusted Source www.wd40.com .
- Chemical Rust Remover. You can also use a chemical rust remover when removing rust from the bicycle chain. ...
- Vinegar. ...
How can I remove rust from a bike chain?
Steps to Remove Rust from a Mountain Bike Chain
- Move the bike to a place that you can work on the wheels and drive assembly. ...
- If you have a chain breaker, remove the chain from the bike to clean it. ...
- Depending on the degree of oxidation, you may need to replace the chain. ...
- If you have to replace the chain, do so now and don’t bother cleaning the old one. ...
Can you save a rusty bike chain?
If your bike chain is severely rusted, replacing it entirely may be best for the health of your bike. Imperfections in severely deteriorated chains can damage other parts of your drivetrain. For bikes only suffering surface rust, lime juice or WD-40 are great ways of restoring your chain to shiny and rust-free condition.
How often should you lubricate a bike chain?
The ABC’s: Air, Brakes, Chain
- A is for Air: Having properly inflated tires helps prevent flats. Check the sidewall of your tire for the recommended tire pressure. ...
- B is for Brakes: Squeeze your front and rear brake levers to make sure that the brakes engage properly and smoothly.
- C is for Chain: Look at your chain and all the gears. ...

Can I fix a rusty bike chain?
The good news is that a rusty chain is a relatively easy fix. You can either clean the rust off the chain, or–if it's really bad–replace the chain all together.
How do you fix rusty chains?
4:335:31Clean Rust from Bike Chain - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then when you finish up apply your chain lubricant great one is this finish line dry bikeMoreAnd then when you finish up apply your chain lubricant great one is this finish line dry bike lubricant um works really well in wet or dry conditions.
Is WD-40 good for rusty bike chains?
WD-40 is great at removing rust from your bike chain. You will want to spray it on the rusty areas of the chain and let it sit for about 3 to 5 minutes. to work its magic. Next you'll want to use a wire brush to scrape and remove off the rusted chain portions.
Does WD-40 Remove rust?
WD-40 can help remove rust from metals like iron, chrome, and stainless steel without further damaging the surface of the metal or removing the paint. The Multi-Use Product is great for loosening and removing excessive surface rust.
Can Coke remove rust?
You can remove rust with coke products, as coke beverages contain phosphoric acid, which interacts with iron oxide and allows rust to dissolve. While it might take longer to remove rust with coke compared to other tools, it is definitely possible to eliminate rust with coke.
How do you get rust off a bike chain without removing it?
Step 1: Spray WD-40 Multi-Use Product directly onto the affected rusty surface. Step 2: Allow to sit for 10 minutes. Step 3: Use a wire brush to scrub at the unwanted rust. Step 4: Then use a clean rag to wipe off the residue.
What is the best lubricant for bicycle chains?
Best bike chain lubesSquirt chain lube. ... Purple Harry's Purple Extreme. ... Fenwicks Wet Weather. ... Muc-Off Hydrodynamic. ... Finish Line Wet. ... Morgan Blue Syn Lube Course. ... Rock 'N' Roll Gold. Impressively fast running and super clean membrane lube. ... Smoove chain lube. Very durable high-performance wax lube for extended clean efficiency.More items...•
Is silicone spray good for bike chains?
Yes. It is not optimal for use on chains though. It washes away rather easily leaving your chain unprotected and un-lubricated. It would work in a pinch but a light oil or something specifically made for the application will work much better and last a lot longer.
How do you get rust off a necklace chain?
Dish SoapPour one cup of warm water into a bowl and add two drops of dish soap, preferably unscented.Add your jewelry to the water and scrub with your fingers or a soft toothbrush to get hard to reach places.Rinse the soap off your jewelry in another bowl of warm water. Then use a soft cloth to dry.
How do you remove rust from a chain link?
Rinse the chain-link fence with water from the garden hose, setting the nozzle on the highest pressure setting and holding it a few inches from the rusty spots to remove loose rust pieces. Scrub the rusty spots with a wire brush, moving the brush back and forth over the spots to flake off the rust.
How to get rust off a chain?
If there’s rust on the chain still, only then you should go with this step. Apply lime juice on the rusty portions of the chain. Once it dries, use a steel wool pad to scrub the rust off. You’ll find that the rust is beginning to dissolve slowly.
How To Get Rust Off A Bike Chain Without WD40?
There are tons of components other than WD-40 that can help you get the rust off of any bike chain. We’ve already discussed how you can use a degreaser and lime juice to deep clean bike chains and get rid of the rust. If you have failed to prevent your bike chain from rusting, you can use the following methods.
How to clean a chainsaw chain?
As you take the chain off, take some degreaser on a wet towel or cloth, and apply it across the whole chain properly. Once you’re done applying it, leave it to dry for some time, and wipe it clean.
What is the best way to remove rust from a car?
Baking soda is a mild cleaner and it’s considered to be one of the best rust removers out there. However, this method can be a bit toilsome as it must be done periodically.
How to disconnect a bike chain?
Look for the master link on the chain. The master link is a single chain that looks a bit different than the other chains. Slide the pinout to disconnect the chain.
Does WD-40 clean rust off chain?
However, make sure to lube the chain afterward. WD-40 acts as a cleaner, and it will clean the grease off of the chain along with the rust, leaving it very dry. Unless you lube it after cleaning the rust, you’ll experience high friction.
Can a rusty bike chain break?
Having a rusty bike chain can be trouble. A rusty chain leads to higher friction than usual, so you’ll have to apply more pressure as well. Plus, these are more pro ne to failures, and you definitely don’t want them to break while you’re riding them.
How to clean rust off bike chain?
A degreaser is used to remove the dust, gunk, and grime along with the surface-level rust from your bike chain. Soak up a clean rag with a lime juice or citrus degreaser and use it to rinse the chain clean. Use some force if the surface rust doesn’t come off easily.
Why do the bike chains get rusty?
Moisture on the bike chain (or other metal parts of the bike) causes rust. It happens due to a chemical process called oxidation. When moisture is placed over metal surfaces for an extended period, they react to form another layer on the surface, called metal oxide or rust.
What is the best rust remover?
WD-40 Specialist Rust Remover is currently the best rust remover on the market. The US-based company’s WD-40 Specialist lineup is the industry standard for bike maintenance. It includes rust removers, cleansers and degreasers, lubricants, and corrosion inhibitors.
What to use to get grease off chain?
You need a citrus degreaser (preferably biodegradable for environmental reasons) to help loosen up the dirty and sticky layer of grease off of the chain. Use the same one we used in the previous section.
Why does my bike chain lose its color?
The bike chain will have lost its original color because of exposure to the elements outside.
How to tell if bike has master link?
You can check the manual to see if your bike has a master link, and then look for the chain link with a pin-slot connection that further connects to the chain links. Remove the pin, and voila!
Why do you have to turn your bike upside down?
Even if you do have a bike stand, it’ll probably be a bit unstable because of the distorted center of gravity, so just turn your bike upside-down and hang it off a bike rack.
What causes rust on a bike chain?
Rust is a natural occurring chemical reaction that can happen on your bike chain. The moisture in the air reacts with metal like iron and steel to form rust.
How to remove rust from chain?
If you’re in need of a quick fix, this is one way to remove rust from your chain! All you have to do is get some toothpaste onto your fingers and rub it into the metal until clean. Rinse off any grime afterward before letting air dry.
What is the best way to remove rust from metal?
The easiest and best method is to use a rust remover. These products, commonly available at hardware stores or home goods store in your area, are typically used to remove rust from any metal surface.
How to tell if your chain links are rusting?
The most common signs of rust are brown spots on the outside of your links while also seeing some orange-colored debris in between them (that’s what makes up the rust). You might be able to remove these by using a non-abrasive brush (we recommend this one) or just wiping off any excess dirt from your chain before applying oil for easier application!
How to remove chainring?
To remove the chainring you need to unscrew the bolt and then use a special puller.
How to remove a chain with a missing link?
If your chain has a missinglink, one way of removing it is by using pliers (if you have an open link) or with the help of another person. Grab each side and squeeze them together until they snap apart. This process can be quite difficult but if done correctly, should remove quickly without any additional problems!
Can you use household materials to clean a chainsaw?
Can I use any household materials? -No: never use anything abrasive for cleaning because this can damage the metal of your chain which leads to more corrosion.
How to Clean a Rusty Bike Chain?
There are different ways you can clean a rusty bike chain once you notice the rust on it , but regardless of what you do, you need to ensure that you take care of your bicycle. Don’t do anything that can cause scratches or any other damage.
How to protect bike chain?
You can protect your bike chain and other metal parts of the bike by keeping it indoors whenever you’re not riding it. Storing it indoors prevents the different kinds of elements and harsh weather from touching it. The storage room should be clean and dry too, so that it doesn’t develop rust quickly.
Why is it important to lubricate your bike chain?
As a bike rider, an important part of your toolbox is the bike chain lube set, which is important in the maintenance of your bike. Your bike chain and every other part of your bike that moves a lot, especially if it is exposed to different elements, should be lubricated after every ride. Keeping your bike chain oiled and wiping it down would be useful in preventing rust.
How to get rust off a sandpaper?
The first thing to do is the baking soda with water until it becomes a thick paste. The two of them should be of equal amounts, but the baking soda can be more if the rust is severe. The amount of paste that you use is depending on how much rust you’re dealing with.
How much does a bike chain cost?
If you’re considering buying a new bike chain instead of derusting the one you have, you can buy a new bike chain. A good bike chain would cost between $20 and $50, although you can spend as high as $100 if your bike is high-end. If you ask a repairman to fix it for you, you would also spend an additional $10 to $15.
Why does my bike rust?
Your sweat can also cause you rust on your bike, especially around the places where the sweat from your face would drip. You can place a towel on the stem area of the bike to stop sweat from dripping on the important places. This is especially important when you use an indoor bike trainer.
How long does it take to remove rust from a car?
After 15 minutes , you can scrub it off with scrub pads or a sponge. As the dried baking soda comes off, the rust would also fall off. You can repeat the process until you get rid of all the rust.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Remove Rust from a Bike Chain
Step-1: To begin, carefully check your bike chain to see where the rust is accumulating if you want to start with how to remove rust from a bicycle chain. Rust does not consume your whole bike chain but just a section of it. As a result, you must pinpoint the location of the rust.
How Often Should I Lube My Bike Chain?
It is determined by how often you ride your bike and where you ride it. If you ride your bike more than twice a week, you should clean and lubricate the chain at least once a month. Check the drivetrain as you go through the procedure.
Conclusion
Rust is an inevitable part of the bike experience, no matter how cautious you are. That is why you will find several articles on how to remove rust from bike chain at home. There are various treatments on the market that promise to remove rust from a bike chain, but nothing beats degreasing and cleaning it with lime juice.

How to Clean A Rusty Bike Chain?
- Turn the bike upside or secure it in a bike rack. It’s unlikely that a kickstand will be stable enough to keep your bike upright while removing rust from the chain. Instead, hang your bike on a rack or turn it upside down so it rests sturdily on the seat and handlebars. If you have a nice bike, you may want to lay a drop cloth in between your bike and the ground so you don't …
- Evaluate the condition of the chain. Take a look at your chain up close. If you notice warping, …
How to Prevent Rust on Bikes
Tips and Advice
FAQ
Final Thoughts
- There are different ways you can prevent rust on your bike, especially if you notice that they are beginning to appear on your bike chain. Even if rusting is natural, it’s better to take care of your bike properly so that it doesn’t turn into an extreme case of destroyed bike chains before you know it. When you notice surface rust on your bike, there are a few causes. Here are a few ways …