Internal frame rust

[sokyroadie]

I recently bought a beater steel frame to leave at work - the exterior is in great shape, but I am not sure about the interior of the tubes. The seattube is perfect but this fell out of the chainstay's as I was cleaning the frame. Nothing is very thick, just some very fine pieces - opinions welcome.

Thanks,
Jeff

[thwart]

Good thing about older steel frames... the steel tube walls are thicker. ;)

I'd Frame-Saver it and call it a day. There have been threads here in the past that minimized the importance of superficial internal tube frame rust. Of course at some point it can become structurally significant, but if you have no bubbling or pinholes developing, I think you're likely OK.

[William]

Frame saver is good stuff. I prefer this...

http://www.fluid-film.com/

http://gearpatrol.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/fluid-film-gear-patrol.jpg





William

[rePhil]

Are the stays chromed by any chance?

Check their integrity with a good looking over. I would coat them with OSPHO, let it dry then coat it with your favorite rust inhibitor.
I prefer this marine spray: http://www.michiganmotorz.com/corrosion-guard-p-835.html

[130R]

hit it with

http://toolmonger.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/Evapo-Rust.jpg

then hit it with

http://renaissancebicycles.com/images/tools/frame-saver.jpg

[Peter P.]

All the treatments above are very good suggestions.

I wouldn't worry about what's going on inside the tubes. Even if the frame fails, it'll likely give you plenty of warning with either pinholes appearing or a crack propogating.

This was caused by external rust, but it doesn't worry me, and I ride it daily:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2090/2344605656_926ef38a51.jpg