Aluminium cleaning

[Lucky_Lou]

Were still in the grip of crappy weather and every time i take Gertie out the salt on the roads plays havoc with the Ally, ive spent this morning on the scotch bright (more snow on the way)but im wondering if theres something out there that may prevent this oxide attack, brownie point for anyone who knows of some trick to make my life easier.
Ta lou

[Barry]

Considering all the snow we've had I've done well to use the bike 11 days so far this year so I've got the same problem.  The roads were pretty dry today but I've still ended up with salt spray on the front cover and cross over pipe. I intend to cure that problem by fitting a mudflap sometime. After cleaning the bike i've been spraying some thin oil on the alloy and with a small brush I dab some waxoyl on all the nuts, bolts and filler plugs. This seems to help.

[Bob_Roller]

Paint !!

That's the only thing I can think off to prevent tarnishing and corrosion .

After aluminum is alloyed with other materials like copper, tin, manganese, magnesium or zinc, aluminum likes to corrode .

I've been working around commercial aircraft for about 32 years, and it is amazing that with all of the technology available, an aluminum aircraft will corrode to where parts are destroyed, and need to be replaced .

I don't know if electrolysis will work, or how to perform it on a motorcycle .

It's a method of running a very weak voltage/current through a piece of metal, and it counteracts the process of corrosion .

[Lucky_Lou]

Bob...paint... you,ll have the rivet counters after your blood, a better solution would be to move to Arizona or Texas i wouldn't rule either of them out in the long run.
Lou

[Bob_Roller]

I'll tell you from personal experience, Phoenix is a lot more friendly to metal body vehicles, as compared to Chicago .

My '91 Honda CRX, is a solid as it was when it was manufactured 19 years ago, was just under it last Tuesday to change the oil, and not a bit of rust on the underside .

My R65 is almost 30 years old, and all I've ever done to it, other than a quick wash, was to spray engine cleaner on it, and go over it with a stiff bristle brush, and other than developing the typical grayish appearance, it looks pretty good for it's age

[Mike V]

Lou,
Wish I had a definite answer and cure-all for you.  This is much like the search for the Holy Grail.  I've spent a lot of time with this aluminum restoration and beautification with nothing other than labor and worn out fingers as a resolution. With the different types of alloys and materials on our bikes results are a moving target. I don't have the specific experience with this product in the environment that you're experiencing but I am in a salt air climate and corrosion due to ambient exposure is a problem down here on the coast. I've been using this product only because I had it on hand and so far it seems to be protecting my work on the the cases fairly well. I'm not an advocate for S100 nor am I involved in any way other than a consumer. In fact, I've stopped using the S100 cleaner for my bikes and gone to a diluted 50-50 solution of Simple Green for cleaning...and lots of scotchbrite pads. But, all I can say is try this product and with maintenance hopefully it will serve as a barrier or periodic protectant in-between cleanings. If you use this please post your results and let us know if it fills your needs or is affective in any way.
http://www.s100.com/s100_cp.htm

[DanielMc]

After cleaning the bike, spray all exposed metalwork with ACF 50. I understand it was developed to keep commercial aircraft from going furry, and it works a treat on airheads.

[Lucky_Lou]

After cleaning the bike, spray all exposed metalwork with ACF 50. I understand it was developed to keep commercial aircraft from going furry, and it works a treat on airheads.

Can you give me a bit more detail please Daniel'
Mike i cannot find S100 here?? or simple green for that matter.
Ta Lou

[JDS]

spray chain wax  should get you by til the weather changes. but you'll need to power wash it off. Clear coat paint with UV protector should work best. The motorcycle Epoxy paint work good just takes 4 days to cure

I used this chain wax on my bikes and equipment that I stored in Hawaii solved all my rusting issues. worked better than paint for some reason. notice the danger warning and dont spray the heads or exhaust.

[DanielMc]

After cleaning the bike, spray all exposed metalwork with ACF 50. I understand it was developed to keep commercial aircraft from going furry, and it works a treat on airheads.

Can you give me a bit more detail please Daniel'

Lou - here's the UK website: http://www.acf-50.co.uk/ loads of stockists but expect to pay around £14.00 per aerosol. It does however go a very long way and I've never heard a bad word said about it. Remember that WD40 is in fact a solvent - not a lubricant and is really unsuitable for any corrosion prevention duty. Try ACF 50 and if it doesn't work for you I'll buy the tin off you! It really is the dogs b*!!*cks!

[Lucky_Lou]

Daniel
Thanks looks like Bradford Mc are my nearest stockest i will call in next time im passing
Lou

[not-so-fast-ed]

For US distributor of ACF-50 try

http://www.skygeek.com/10013.html

Must be like BoeShield

Ed

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Bob, what about good old WD40?  It was developed for long term storage of aluminum skin aircraft?  It's cheap, readily available, and proven to work on corrosion.  But what do I know, I live in Texas where the only salt we use in on our steak.

[JDS]

http://www.skygeek.com/spray-oil.html

shows the wd40 and I always thought lps was the same as WD but what is the lps rust inhibitor

Inhibits exfoliation of filiform corrosion of aluminum
Inhibits rust and corrosion; protects steelup to 2 years
Penetrates to displace moisture
Resists moisture, sand, dirt,dust and vibration
Does not contain chlorinated solvents or silicone
Nonconductive
Nonstaining
Easily removed with LPS degreasers
Safe on most surfaces
Conforms to MIL-PRF-16173E Grade 2,ASTM F-945,PWA 36604
Qualified per: BMS 3-23 G Type II,TNA.007.10138 Type 1 Grade 2,DMS 2150
NSF Registered H2 (Aerosol #129027,Bulk #059848)
Approved by Agriculture Canada for use in food processing plants


We use to WD40 the tires and bike before muddy races. made cleanup afterwards easy. Seems like it help keep the tires from collecting mud. Not sure I'd try it on street riding.

Approved by Agriculture Canada for use in food processing plants

that gives me an idea....... these work on my snowmobile

[DeeG]

http://www.stewartsystems.aero/product/9c5fda3d-971a-4e9c-bcaa-40f1a448795c.aspx

This was designed for aircraft but works on pretty much anything.  I picked some up, I was going to start with the dual sports.  Just haven't had time yet.