Rusting BB Shell.

[Harril]

Hello all, I need your help. I noticed some rust on the bottom bracket shell on my Dawes Galaxy and I'm wondering how bad it is. Is it just cosmetic or something more serious? Should I replace the whole thing or just clean it up? Here are some pictures of the rust. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

 

[Ajax Bay]

"I noticed some rust" Should have gone to Specsavers!
Looks pretty rough. Not sure what you mean by "replace the whole thing". A new frame seems drastic.
I would work back on the paint/rust boundary till I got to metal (as opposed to a metal oxide surface) and then go to town with Hammerite Kurust and then further cosmetic measures.
The BB therein will be fine: I'd leave it be.
I'd also replace the screw securing the cable guide plate.
And while you're at it, I recommend removing and refitting the mudguard on the chainstay bridge; and removing all the chain rings and giving them a good clean and maybe a replacement set of chainring bolts.

 

[cyberknight]

i would get the bike frame sandblasted and resprayed

 

[presta]

Hello all, I need your help. I noticed some rust on the bottom bracket shell on my Dawes Galaxy and I'm wondering how bad it is. Is it just cosmetic or something more serious? Should I replace the whole thing or just clean it up? Here are some pictures of the rust. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

That rust on the outside is ugly but cosmetic, the real question is what are the threads like on the inside.

You have a dilemma. If they're starting to rust, the sooner you get in there and deal with it the better your chance of saving the threads before there's nothing left of them. On the other hand, if they're already rusted away, and it's only the rust holding it together, removing the BB to inspect it will leave you either writing off the frame or salvaging it with a threadless BB cartridge.

 

[Ian H]

I'd certainly want to check inside the shell. I suspect you'll find more corrosion to deal with.

 

[All uphill]

Before putting a lot of effort into a neglected bike it would be worth checking everything else so you can get a complete picture of what needs to be done to bring it up to the standard you want.

Seatpost stuck?
Condition of tyres, rims and bearings?
Any damage?

You could do a complete respray and bring it back to a very good condition, or wire brush off the rust and use hammerite to have a daily bike, or sell it cheaply to someone who would enjoy doing it up.

 

[Cycleops]

Looks like the corrosion has been going on for quite a while underneath the paint, you can see it breaking out on the other side. The BB metal is pretty thick but you need to look at those chain stays, the metal is much thinner there and could rust through making the frame junk. Seat tube needs looking at too.
If you can find a frame in good condition I'd go for it.

 

[Gunk]

That’s not that bad, I would strip it back to bare metal, paint it with Jenolite and repaint it, it’ll go on for years.

 

[sleuthey]

I would use a toothbrush size wire brush to remove the crap and paint in Hamerite or Red Oxide. Remove the BB and wire brush the threads along the grain and gease up. Then ride it.

 

[Harril]

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to thank you all for your helpful advice and tips on how to deal with a severely rusted bottom bracket shell. I really appreciate your time and input.

I haven't had this bike for very long and I only noticed the rust when I was cleaning it the other day. I bought it from a chap who said he had stored it in his garage for a few years. I guess I should have checked it more carefully before buying it. It's a shame because I was hoping to use it for some long-distance touring in the summer, and I had bought it to replace an older Galaxy that my LBS had recently condemned due to a collision.

Anyway, I'm going to try some of the suggestions you gave me and see if it can be recovered.

 

[Harril]

Hi all, An update and seeking further advice if possible. I've added a few more pictures of the horrors that were discovered. The BB threads seem ok after a clean up, but I'm finding lots of patches on other parts of the frame that are starting to concern me. Is this frame safe or should I start to think about scrapping it? TIA.

 

[Chris S]

Hi all, An update and seeking further advice if possible. I've added a few more pictures of the horrors that were discovered. The BB threads seem ok after a clean up, but I'm finding lots of patches on other parts of the frame that are starting to concern me. Is this frame safe or should I start to think about scrapping it? TIA.

It doesn't look any worse than the bike I ride daily. It won't get any worse now that the paint has come off.

 

[richardfm]

It doesn't look any worse than the bike I ride daily. It won't get any worse now that the paint has come off.

Now that the paint has come off it will get a lot worse. It will continue to corrode and eventually turn into a pile of dust.

 

[Jameshow]

I know a garage which leaves mini shells outside to rust in order to reduce weight for racing!!

I'd treat with rust treatment and then epoxy paint.

 

[Big John]

I have one that looked like this when it came into my possession. I stripped all the paint off, wire brushed the rust off with an attachment on a chordless drill and painted it with green hammerite. One coat might not be enough but once it's done the bike should be fine. Mine rides like a dream. I'm a big fan of steel 👍