how to remove rust from a bike chain

How to Remove Rust From a Bike Chain – 11 Simple Steps

How to Remove Rust From a Bike Chain – A rusty bike chain is not only unsightly, but it’s also a serious problem for the performance of the bike, and can even be quite unsafe, as a failed chain can lead to all sorts of issues and even serious crashes.

While you may be tempted to consider simply replacing your bike chain, this can actually be quite wasteful and add unnecessary expense to your hobby.

Instead, consider first trying to clean off your bike chain and salvaging it, as there are several great techniques you can use to restore even the most suspect bike chain, ridding it of rust and massively improving your overall biking performance.

In this guide, we’re going to look at some of the best techniques for removing rust from a bike chain, using an array of different methods and materials to help you preserve your chain and keep your bike rolling cleaner for longer.

But first, let’s look at what we actually need.

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What You Need

Essential

  • A cleaning rag
  • Wire brush
  • WD-40
  • Degreaser
  • Bike Lube
  • A bucket of water
  • A large sponge or chain cleaner

Position The Bike

First of all, you need to position the bike well, as removing the chain or cleaning it can be quite awkward and you need your bike to be stable to make this process as easy as possible.

If you have a bike stand, that’s perfect and will make the whole process much easier.

If not, that’s ok, you can still tip the bike upside down so that it’s resting on its handlebars and the bike seat, as this will enable you to access the chain more easily without the bike moving around and the wheels potentially spinning and sending the bike rolling away.

Inspect The Chain

Next, it’s important to inspect the chain and assess how rusted it is, and what you’re going to need to do to clean the rust off.

For example, if a chain only has some limited spots of rust, it may be possible to clean these off without removing the chain from the bike, which would save a lot of time and effort.

However, if the rust is located in an awkward spot, or is widespread on the chain, then you will need to take a more drastic approach, removing the chain and giving it a deeper, more comprehensive clean.

Depending on the severity of the rust, if it isn’t severe and just needs a quick clean, you can use this Bicycle Chain Cleaning Kit, without the fuss of having to remove the chain from your bicycle

how to remove rust from a bike chain chain cleaning kit

Locate The Master Link (If You Have One)

If your chain has a master link, this will make removing the chain much easier. The master link is a special link in the chain which can be pressed in a specific way to split the chain without using a tool and allows you to clean the chain much more easily.

Alternatively, you can remove the chain from the bike by lifting the derailleur and using the slack to slip the chain off the cassette and rings or if you want to totally remove the chain from the bike, you will need to split the chain with a special tool.

Remove The Chain

how to remove rust from a bike chain rusty bike chain

If the rust is extensive, remove the chain using one of the above methods.

Run The Chain Through A Cleaning Rag

From here, you can run the chain through a cleaning rag, and this can be done even if the chain is still on the bike.

Put some degreaser on your cleaning rag, and run the chain through it by wrapping the cloth around the chain and either pedalling to pull the chain through, or manually pulling the chain through the cloth.

This will help remove unwanted grease and help loosen up the rust to make it easier to remove.

Soak The Chain

Soak the chain for 20 to 30 minutes in degreaser if there is significant rust and grease buildup, as this will make cleaning much easier.

After this, rinse the chain off with water to remove a little more rust and to clear away the degreaser.

Remember to use latex gloves as degreaser can be harsh on the skin and may not be very pleasant for you if exposed to it a lot.

Degrease your bike chain with this WD-40 Specialist Bike Chain Lube

how to remove rust from a bike chain wd 40

Scrub The Chain

Now you should be able to use some steel wool or a wire brush to scrub the rust off the chain.

Don’t forget to regularly wash your brush or wool as the rust can build upon these cleaning products and make them ineffective over time.

Continue with this until most of the rust is totally removed. It can be quite time-consuming and rough on the hands, so consider using latex gloves to offer some protection.

Once the rust is totally removed you can move on to the next step.

Rinse-Off

From here you want to thoroughly rinse off your chain again to remove any small dust and rust particles that will have spread around the chain during the scrubbing process.

These small particles will accelerate the process of rusting up again, so rinsing them away is the best way to ensure your cleaning process doesn’t need to be repeated again in short order and helps get everything ready to be lubed back up.

Use WD-40 And A Wire Brush

If there are still rust particles you can’t remove before rinsing, use a little WD-40 and a smaller wire brush to be more precise and target these stubborn areas more specifically.

Use a Stainless-Steel Wire Brush Set with different bristle sizes.

how to remove rust from a bike chain wire brush set

Reattach The Chain

From here you can reattach the chain to the bike by either replacing the master link or relinking the chain, and placing it back on the cassette and rings as appropriate.

Lube The Chain

Last but not least, lube the chain up with some good quality chain lube to help prevent water and gunk from building up on your chain and restarting the rusting process.

It’s important to not use too much chain lube, however, as this can lead to dirt and dust building up more quickly, restarting the rusting process and reducing the performance of your chain. And that’s how to remove rust from a bike chain!

How to Remove Rust From a Bike Chain – 11 Simple Steps