Rejuvenating (not restoring.....yet! ) a 1970 AT1. Working on the wheels at the moment. Front one is nice enough to use as-is after bearing replacement. Rear has rusty spokes, not bad enough to justify replacement, but 'unsightly'. I wanted to see if I could clean up the spokes a bit without disassembly.

After soaking the wheel in a tub of Evaporust for a week or so, flipping the wheel around and turning it to get all the spokes immersed for a couple days, the spokes look better. Rust is no longer seen, being replaced with a darkish grey color. So..... better.

My question: Do I need to now cover the spokes with a paint or...?? If it was a different kind of part, a brake pedal or bracket as an example, I would now clean it up well, and then prime and paint. But for spokes?? Should I remove the dried Evaporust? I will need to wash the chrome rim with lacquer thinner to get it off, but it's chrome, so no issues there. And if I just leave it and continue on with the rebuild, what happens when I wash the bike? Does that coating wash away and leave the spokes bare and ready to rust all over again?

Anybody else use this stuff? The ads I have seen actually indicate dipping a spoked rim into the solution as an example of suggested usage.

I’m responding simply to the paint aspect. I did not use Evaporust on my rusty spokes. I simply scuffed them with strips of emery paper used like dental floss. Then I taped off each spoke nipple or nut, as well as the chrome rim. Then I sprayed the drum and the spokes. No primer. No clear.

I know, I know. What a hack job right? But it didn’t turn out bad and it’s held up well for several years.

imgur.com/a/OocmNJh

Had not thought about painting the hub as well in that fashion. Something for me to consider I suppose. On a 360A I relaced the wheels with alloy ones (used) from a YZ125 on the front and a RM250 on the back, so I was unlacing/relacing anyway. Cleaned the spokes and nipples up on the wire wheel and repainted with Eastwood 'Clear Zinc', which so far has held up.

Thank you for the suggestion!

I used Evaporust to de-rust my 1972 LT2 gas tank. I added a cup of BB's to shake inside the tank to help loosen the rust. Soaked and shook for 3 days. A lot of rust gunk came out. Two sessions of that and the rust is gone. I also soaked my rusty chrome rear shocks in it and they came out rust free and look as good as new. I have to say Evaporust really worked for me!

I have used Evaporust for some years . I use it on old rusted hardware , to clean up prior to replating .
I've been very happy with the results  .

I'm going to be trying to re-plate the chrome on several small pitted areas on various parts. Using 5 volt dc, chrome plating solution, a nickel anode and small makeup remover pads instead of painting. Have to degrease really well and then clean with paint remover or acetone. Going to work on misc. spare parts first. I also have a digital plating pen, might have to do some alterations to use the anode bar. We'll see.

Evapo rust is too expensive! If you search on youtube you can find video's that tell you how to make your own that works just as good, if not better, for WAY cheaper.

Evaporust works great. Use it in a ultrasonic cleaner for even better/quicker results.

I've had a 5gal bucket for like 10yrs that Ive prolly dropped and submerged at least 10 rusty tanks and countless rusty parts in there and it still keeps on going. Had to pour it through a strainer recently to decrud it. Amazing stuff.

"Evapo rust is too expensive! If you search on youtube you can find video's that tell you how to make your own that works just as good, if not better, for WAY cheaper."

How cheap can u be?
Time/mess/effort.....

What's your secret?