BMX-ers around here used a similar treatment... but used Simichrome polish instead of toothpaste. Done carefully, the results were amazing.
I used the Simichrome treatment on a new Suzue double-sided hub that had rough cones. Instead of riding, I installed a small rubber cone in a Dremel drill, pressed this cone against the end of the axle, and let it turn briefly at very high RPM. It got kinda warm, but I was able to stop and start to check progress. Took about 5 minutes to get a mirror finish.
I'll try rigging up a headset jig this week, to see if it will works on headset bearings too.
Aldo Ross
> I recall stories of hubs being cleaned, loaded with toothpaste, ridden a
> few miles, then cleaned again and greased.
>
> -S-
>
> Mark Stevens wrote:
> >
> > Dear All, I have done this successfully on an old pitted headset. Only
good
> > for an occasional rider as you will wear away the hardened surface to
take out
> > the pits. It's only microns thick.
> > I used valve grinding paste from an auto repair shop. I held the cup in
the
> > lathe chuck smeared it with the paste and stuck a load of balls to it.
Then
> > the race was offered up on the running centre. A slow speed ,about
180rpm and
> > moderate pressure was used. I kept undoing it all and cleaning out the
black
> > goo to check on progress. I also ran the lathe backwards and forwards. I
guess
> > on 5 -6 applications of paste before it looked uniform. I wont say
smooth
> > 'cause it wasn't. It looked dull grey but with no pits.
> > Re Lawrence's enquiry about grey/black patches. If no rust is
visible and
> > it feels smooth then I would'nt worry too much. Mark Stevens. London