*pictures added* Your favorite methods to address surface rust on a steel frame

[mstateglfr]

Originally Posted by TM267905

Not to sidebar, but how do you dispose of Evaporust once you are finished with it?

It can be used multiple times, so I let it sit so the junk settles at the bottom and pour then reuse the stuff thats clean.
The junked up stuff is poured down a drain.

[warren128]

Here are a couple more pictures for your entertainment. I cleaned those two circled spots in question and I found two tiny gaps in the filler.

I know that British frames of this vintage are infamous for sloppy quality control, so I guess I have an example here. I'm not worried about it though, I'm going to build it up and ride it, after I do some of the surface rust removal things mentioned here. As I mentioned in the first post, I'm not doing a restoration or a full repaint. I'll touch it up and (hopefully) enjoy the vintage ride and the 44 years of "patina".

Thanks again for all your comments.

IMG_20240209_102714415_HDR~2 by warren t., on Flickr

IMG_20240209_102720179_HDR~2 by warren t., on Flickr

[unterhausen]

I would never have imagined the gaps were that small. You lucked out. If you do ever have it refinished, you could have them filled in.
I don't think this frame is worth refinishing though.

[warren128]

To follow up, I ended up removing as much of the surface rust as possible, then I used clear nail polish over those areas.

Here's a photo of the bike, just completed today:

IMG_20240304_163817758 by warren t., on Flickr

The only original parts are: the headset (I installed new loose ball bearings), shift levers (Suntour Power Ratchet), front derailleur (Suntour Cyclone), and pedals (SR).

[weisan]

Turned out great! Nice shades of brown.

[fmradio516]

Originally Posted by warren128

To follow up, I ended up removing as much of the surface rust as possible, then I used clear nail polish over those areas.

Looks great! How did you wind up removing the rust? And what are those tires? They look great!

[jamesdak]

Looks great, nicely done on the build!

[warren128]

Originally Posted by fmradio516

Looks great! How did you wind up removing the rust? And what are those tires? They look great!

I only did a cursory going-over of the little spots of surface rust, to remove as much as possible. I carefully rubbed the rust off with wet, crumpled aluminum foil. I didn't want to remove any of the original paint, which was in very good condition for being 44 years old. The foil trick worked well enough for me. I then went over those spots with clear nail polish.

The tires are a low mileage pair of 25mm GP5000 that popped up for sale here on the classifieds.

[warren128]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I'm looking forward to putting it through its paces on my local routes.