Motorcycles are an excellent way to commute and can be a lot of fun. However, if you do not maintain them and remove rust from them on a regular basis, their functionality can take a big hit. In case the mirrors of your bike are rusty, looking at that is happening behind you can become quite challenging.
The bigger problem is that if you don’t address the issue, it continues to worsen over time. What may seem like a small problem today will be a big problem tomorrow.
Don’t forget, the mirrors on your motorcycle are there for a reason. If you can’t see clearly in them, they are not serving their purpose. More importantly, dirty or rusty mirrors can result in accidents if you can’t get a clear view in them.
In this piece, we will talk about the rust removal process of motorcycles and the importance of following a regular rust removal routine.
How to Clean and Restore a Rusty Motorcycle Mirror
If you have been riding bikes for a long time, you may be wondering how you can clean and restore a rusty motorcycle mirror.
Well, you are not alone, as there are plenty of people who want to learn how to remove rust to make sure that their bike looks tidy and clean at all times.
What You Will Need
The biggest mistake that bike owners make when they see a rusty mirror is replacing it entirely.
While there is nothing wrong with this, it can cost you a great deal of money when simply removing rust from your mirror would have done the trick.
What you need to remove loose rust from your bike is as follows:
- High quality rust remover
- Aluminum foil
- Chrome polish
- Soap
- Water
- Rag
- Some elbow grease
Once you have all of these things in one place, here is the method you will follow to remove rust.
The Method for Removing Rust
Start by using some water and soap to wash your mirror in order to remove all the rust, dirt and grime.
Once you do so, take your steel wool and scrub away dirty and rusty spots. Remember, rust removal can be slightly time consuming, so avoid rushing the process.
Keep It Gentle
Make sure to use gentle hands and a clean piece of cloth to avoid making your mirror dirty.
Once you remove the surface rust properly, use a high quality rust remover and wipe it off with a tidy cloth.
These are the only steps you will need to follow to make sure your motorcycle mirror looks as good as new.
Tips to Remove Rust and Restore Your Bike’s Mirror
If you want to remove rust from your bike’s mirror, all you need to do is follow a few straightforward steps.
Step 1
Start by removing your bike’s mirror using a screw driver. In case the mirror is clipped on, it would be best to make use of a flathead screwdriver to pry the mirror off properly.
Step 2
Clean your mirror’s surface with a soft cloth and soapy water. Doing so will properly remove rust, grime and dirt to ensure cleaning the rest of the mirror becomes a straightforward task.
Step 3
After the surface of your bike’s mirror is clean, apply a tiny amount of chrome polish to the mirror. Following this step will give your bike a smooth finish.
How to Remove Rust Spots from Your Bike’s Mirror
Contrary to popular belief, it is easy to dissolve rust from your bike’s mirror. Here are the items you will need to remove rust spots from your motorcycle mirror.
- High quality steel wool
- Aluminum foil
- Rust remover
- Fine sandpaper
These items come in quite handy for making sure that the mirrors of your motorcycle look as good as new for a long time.
Did you know you could get rid of rust using coca cola too?
Use a small quantity of coke, dip a clean piece of cloth in it, and rinse the mirror. Scrub it a little or just wipe is multiple times to remove rust using coke.
Common Questions About How to Prevent Rust from Bikes
Do You Need Steel Wool and Chrome Polish to Remove Surface Rust?
While there are plenty of items required to remove rust from bikes, the most common items are steel wool, aluminum foil, rust remover and chrome polish.
These items combined with soapy water and a wire brush can make sure your bike remains neat and tidy for a long period.
Is Using Aluminium Foil on My Bike a Safe Option?
There is nothing wrong with using aluminium foil in your bike’s rust removal process. Paired with high quality rust removers, these foils can give your bike a tidy look that other items may fail to achieve.
What to Do if there is More Rust on My Bike Than Usual?
If there is more rust on your bike than usual and your vehicle is badly rusted, it would be best to use a little elbow grease, high quality rust removers and apply chrome polish properly.
Remember, this process may take some time and last about an hour or so. However, once you are done, you will notice the difference it makes for your motorcycle’s mirror.
Can I Use an Old Toothbrush to Clean My Motorcycle Mirrors?
There is nothing wrong with using an old brush to clean your bike’s mirrors. This item can especially come in handy if you want to remove inside out in order to get a clean surface.
Sure, the process may take a few hours, but it will definitely be worth the trouble.
Can I Only Use Water to Remove Rust from Chrome Parts?
While water is an excellent ingredient to remove rust inside your bike’s mirrors, it may not be enough.
People swear by using baking soda, lemon juice and a few other ingredients as excellent alternatives to clean the rust away from motorcycles.
Should I Also Clean my Motorcycle’s Metal Parts when Cleaning the Mirrors?
Yes, you can definitely clean the metal parts of your motor bike when cleaning its mirrors.
If anything, doing so would be advisable as maintaining your bike in one go instead of doing it in different parts will take too much time.
How Can I Keep My Bike’s Mirrors in Good Shape for a Long Period?
Preventing your bike from being exposed to non toxic materials can be quite challenging. This is why cleaning it regularly is the only way to ensure it looks good and is corrosion free for a long period.
Sure, you can get your bike’s mirror painted, but it may not do the trick.
Instead, it would be advisable to do things the old fashioned way and work on restoring your motorcycle mirror’s look.
Rust removal processes often last for a few hours, but if you follow the tips discussed in this piece, the result will speak for itself.