Surface rust on crank journals?!?

[kenikh]

My impression is that if there is rust (even if it is just surface rust) on the journals, polishing isn't an option and the crank has to be reground, thus removing the original nitriding coating? Is this a correct assessment?

[YTNUKLR]

Kenik, depends on how much. I had a crank where enough water had gotten in the oil, and it has sat long enough, that surface rust had started to form on the edges, where the rods didn't cover. I thought that it was toast, but I dropped it off at Ollie's just to make sure. They just polished it and it was good as new. So, to answer your question, it's case by case...I have definitely seen a crank with enough rust on it to not be able to use in the standard dimension...btw, I have that CW one all done for you when you need it (maybe that case too).