Spray on rubber

[Zenarchy]

I was thinking of rubbing the rust off my spokes and giving them some sort of coating to protect them and keep them clean and from rusting again, so figured some sort of plastic or rubber spray might work for that and be a bit more chip proof than using laquer, when I came across this:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/s...nds-217933.php

Do you think something like that would work for protecting the spokes?

What about other plastic and rubber sprays, would they work very well do you think? I was thinking that if I could get a spray it'd seal the spokes and I could spray around the bottom of the spokes where they meet the rims to prevent any moisture getting under the rims as well.

I know it mightn't look as pretty as new spokes or a propper lacquer, but after my experience yesterday painting the frame using hammerite in freezing temperatures, I think I'm going to go for 'practical and well protected' rather than trying to restore the bike to cosmetic perfection (at least until next year when I'll hopefully pluck up the courage to get the engine out and have the frame properly powdercoated).

I've seen people cleaning spokes and using a lacquer to seal them, but never anyone using plastic or rubber, so just wondering if there's some reason why this wouldn't be a good idea.

[Zenarchy]

P.S. Not sure I'd be so confident using that spray for it's intended purpose, but I figured it must be waterproof and should be fairly hard wearing, so might be handy for sealing and waterproofing bike bits?

[Zenarchy]

Found some other sprays that might also work:

http://www.ccl-light.com/docs/electroshield.html

http://www.yachtsofstuff.com/userPos...&cexs=pro-tect

I think I might be missing something dumb though because I haven't heard of anyone using rubber like this as a weather protection for spokes etc. yet (though haven't had bikes long so maybe just not come across it yet).

[russh]

Umm, how did you find that link??

I would guess the spray on rubber wouldn't be that effect as water would be drawn between rubber and spoke by capillary action then stay there and be unable to dry. IMHO the best way to protect spokes is by covering with sticky gloop like ACF-50, even paint would soon get worn through where the spokes touch leaving an area prone to corrosion.

[Zenarchy]

Umm, how did you find that link??

I was wondering if anyone would ask that. I just typed 'spray on rubber' or something into google and it came up as one of the first links. I'm tempted to email them and tell them I want to trial it for motorbike wheel spokes and see if they'll send me a free can.

I would guess the spray on rubber wouldn't be that effect as water would be drawn between rubber and spoke by capillary action then stay there and be unable to dry.

Ahh.. I hadn't thought about that. You might be right. I thought the rubber might actually stick to the spoke and prevent any water getting in at all, but perhaps it'd come free with the force of the wheel spinning. No idea if that's the case though.

IMHO the best way to protect spokes is by covering with sticky gloop like ACF-50, even paint would soon get worn through where the spokes touch leaving an area prone to corrosion.

That's what I was thinking of plan B. I'd really like to get the rust brushed off so they're nice and shiny again, but a bit worried about doing that unless I can get a propper seal to stop them rusting again. I've got some waxoyl that might do the trick perhaps. I'm not keen on the idea or having to reapply stuff frequently though (I think with ACF50 you need to do that each time you wash them from what I've heard and that'd be a bit of a pain with so many fidly spokes to do perhaps).

Thanks for your help

[Lumiya]

The one thing I would be concerned about in a mech/tech sort of sense would be it's UV stability as UV does nasty things to rubber/plastics unless it's been treated.

Kymmy

[russh]

That's what I was thinking of plan B. I'd really like to get the rust brushed off so they're nice and shiny again, but a bit worried about doing that unless I can get a propper seal to stop them rusting again. I've got some waxoyl that might do the trick perhaps. I'm not keen on the idea or having to reapply stuff frequently though (I think with ACF50 you need to do that each time you wash them from what I've heard and that'd be a bit of a pain with so many fidly spokes to do perhaps).

Thanks for your help

Waxoyl would be good, your right about re-applying the ACF, I get round this by not washing the "grubby" bits during the winter, just add another layer of ACF every once in a while, bike gets a bit sticky by springtime

Also ACF-50 remains quite runny, and after covering my rims and spokes and callipers on Sunday some managed to creep onto the discs it's a great friction reducer!!

[Zenarchy]

The one thing I would be concerned about in a mech/tech sort of sense would be it's UV stability as UV does nasty things to rubber/plastics unless it's been treated.

Kymmy

Another good point that I completely missed. Thanks If I do try this I'll need to make sure it's UV protected.

[Zenarchy]

Also ACF-50 remains quite runny, and after covering my rims and spokes and callipers on Sunday some managed to creep onto the discs it's a great friction reducer!!

This is one of the things that leads me to think of a dry coating as a first choice. I don't like the idea of centrifugal force spinning liquid/gloopy stuff out towards the discs, or onto the tyres (not only for friction reduction but what it might also do to damage the tyre walls etc.).

It sounds like that or lacquer might be the only choice though. I'll need to do a bit more research into these rubber sprays before I try it I think.

This is the first spoked wheel bike I've had since my bmx as a kid, so I was surprised to find that there isn't some perfect product out there to protect the spokes (considering how long they've been used). Or if there is I can't seem to find it.

Anyway, thanks again for your help If anyone else has any reasons why a rubber or plastic spray would be a bad idea that'd be great, then I can use that list of things to look out for when trying to find something.