Surface rust in seat tube of steel frame; how much is too much?

[Goudgey]

G'day All,

Was cleaning my On One Inbred and popped out the seat post and noticed a lot of light coloured rust staining in the seat post and inside surface of the seat tube.. It's the type of staining that you can wipe the majority off with a fag or finger but a distinct discolouration remains on the frame and post. Likely caused by water ingress following a few rides in wet conditions.

Annoyingly I didn't think to take a photo to show what I mean.

Is this type of surface rust staining ok and to be expected or if the frame likely damaged and in need of replacing?

Cheers,
Mark

 

[Ivan]

It sounds very minor, and probably not worth stressing over, but I would get a bottle brush on the end of a drill and clean up the inside of the frame so you can get a good look at the corrosion. Once it's cleaned up you will get a better understanding of any tube thickness loss.

 

[moorey]

It's the type of staining that you can wipe the majority off with a fag

This is the only thing that would concern me... :noidea:

 

[pink poodle]

Clean it out and coat it with something protective...spray paint (not really a great idea as it will flake up etc), fish oil, grease, mum juice...just too it up regularly. Last steel frame I had received regular squirts down the seat tube. External chips in the paint were covered with clear nail polish.

 

[Goudgey]

Touché moorey. I didn't want to get my rags dirty.

Good idea Ivan, will give that a go.

Cheers.

 

[Elbie]

Coca cola will remove the rust, but i dont know if filling your frame full of sugary goodness a great idea.

 

[NeoNasty]

Minor rust will be zero problem.

Spray some lube down the tubes and it'll be fine for many years to come.

On another topic. Do you like the Inbred? I was thinking about moving to an aggressive hardtail 29er.

 

[Nerf Herder]

Get a bottle brush and smear Slickoleum in there. Will both clean it / treat the oxidation / add a layer of film and fill the 'pores' of the surface / provide water proofing and a better air tight barrier, resisting further ingress from the elements.

Do the bb and head tube as well.

i just did my in-bred ... Can't get the top or down tubes unless you really want to get fancy ... But you can coat the main ingress points which was enough for me.

 

[will2]

Coca cola will remove the rust, but i dont know if filling your frame full of sugary goodness a great idea.

Yes will remove rust, but is also highly corrosive. But in Nail in a glass of coke overnight and come back to us.

 

[Goudgey]

I think it's a great frame and bike NeoNasty.
I've got a 26 running SRAM X7 drivetrain, XT brakes and Rock Shox somethingorother and it's a fun responsive ride.