CLR on rusted shocks

I guess this is more a cleaning then a modification but I thought the info could be useful. These shocks are off my 82 xj650rj. Before I got the bike it had been sitting outside for about 6 years. Even though they are completely functional I almost got rid of them so I could get some nice new ones. Just to see how they would clean up I used some CLR and a wire brush and... well I thinks it saved me about 300 bucks.

The shock on the bottom cleaned up even better the the one on the top.

The moral of the story? Try a little elbow greas before you throw that rusted part out.

 

Well done and how! I gotta get a little more creative when I poke at them, my brush won't fit in the coils!

 

Ok, I'm impressed.

 

Damn, I was going to buy a new set of shocks cause mine are getting pretty rusty, but if you can clean that mess up with CLR, then I'll save my money and spend some elbow grease!

 

Nice cleanup there

I've been buying a product over here called rust converter (cheap no name brand). I find it great stuff... Just hit what ever it is with a wire brush to remove loose rust then brush this stuff on, wait 10 - 30 minutes, wipe off with a damp cloth, wipe again with a meths soaked cloth and god damn it really works a treat, especially on chrome. It's nasty stuff and you have to be careful not to leave it on too long but the results are amazing and it takes quite a while before the rust comes back.

 

What is CLR and where does one buy it? In the USA, that is........!

 

Can be found just about any place that sells cleaning supplies... This particular pic is stolen from walgreens website, but I've seen it at walmart, grocery stores, hardware stores, etc.

It's pretty common.

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YEAH! That was my 100th post!

 

Thanks!

 

<sigh>

If only it could take the nasty crap off the aluminum on our bikes.. But great job on those shocks!

 

Tried this on my shocks and exhaust cannister this weekend and mother of God does this stuff just rip the rust off of chrome!!!

 

That is a really good idea i was going to through mine away and get new ones. But that made them shine like new

 

is it safe on the seals?

 

Here are some things that the manufacturer says: http://jelmar.com/CLRbasic.htm

I would think that seals are fine since you need to wear rubber gloves? Just make sure to rinse often!

 

I've used it for the inside of the headlight bucket. Works great but you must treat it with someting to prevent rust from coming back. It can come back in a few hours after use.

 

I had the same problem with my shocks, they were rusty but still worked great. I removed the coil spring and buffed them up with some scotch bright and chrome cleaner, then I paint the coil springs gloss black. They turned out great. A little tricky getting the springs off though but was worth it.