Aluminum oxidation

[marcmax]

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to minimize oxidation on the aluminum parts?

I have my bikes parked inside an enclosed garage but it is not climate controlled. Living in coastal Georgia (USA) it is a high humidity area. My R65ls has been parked for about three weeks while I was out of town and when I went to ride it today there was a fine coating of white oxidation on the engine covers, etc. It almost looked like flour had been sprinkled on it.

A stiff bristled brush and some elbow grease removed it but is there any way to slow down its formation?

[nhmaf]

Some people claim that after cleaning the engine and leaving a thin film of a light oil, like WD-40, helps slow this effect.   I cannot say for sure how well it works.  You DON"T want to scour the engine with a steel scrub pad as it will leave minute bits of steel, which will promptly rust.  Those non-metallic scouring pads work pretty well.  

You could also possibly use a soda-blaster (bicarbonate) to clean up oxidized parts, though this does nothing to prevent oxidation from coming back.   The soda leaves a film of bicarbonate which will attract moisture, so it may be a good idea (ESPECIALLY if planning to paint something that's been soda-blasted) that you neutralize the soda by washing the thing down witha mixture of vindegar and warm water.    

[Semper Gumby]

+1 WD-40.  Unfortunately it will also collect dirt so you will have to wash you bike more often.  In a high salt environment I can't see how this would be a bad thing.

Invest in brushes and look for automotive cleaner that leave behind some wax (?).  I'm sure someone in a marine supply store will have something in mind.  

BTW - all my conncetors/fuses and bulbs come from marine stores.  I really like the corrosion resistant stuff and the stainless steel bolts nutz and washers.   8-)

Good luck

[Mike V]

I've been using S100 Corrosive Protectant Spray http://www.s100.com/s100_cp.htm . I've stopped using the other S100 cleaner products but wanted to give this a try since it came with a distant purchase as a kit.  I can't give a supportive report yet since my use has been for a limited time, 6 to 8 months. But I live in a coastal climate at close proximity to the waterfront and I've seen no oxidation on the engine cases or mag wheels. It's easy to apply and does not seem to discolor the aluminum.  Results "to this point" are acceptable.  But, keep in mind the bike has not seen the road yet and has only been exposed to the ambient conditions in my leaky sieve of a shop.