ACF50 and when to clean it?

[Montrose Sun]

There is a company up north (Tyneside IIRC) that will come to you IF you can make it worth their while, i.e. host them at your place and provide enough mates that also want it done.

As for leaving it? Nope. I will keep washing and reapplying every month or so.
It's a liquid. It will eventually drop off non horizontal surfaces and wash off as well, just not as quickly as FS.

This test shows it isn't foolproof, but it is good:
http://www.motorstophelder.nl/anti-corrosie/index.htm

From what i can gather of that test ACF50 comes 2nd? So obviously i looked up tectyl superwax but it gave only 3 results on google - is this stuff top secret or what?!

To be fair to ACF50 it appeared that the handle of the wallpaper scrapper held a little water and thats what started the rust process.

 

[Packer]

My 03 1150GS is goinjg into it's 6th winter now.

The first winter it was just neglected, big mistake, as I use it several days a week all year round for commuting between offices and it just isn't practical to wash it after every run.

I then used FS 365 for a few years but it's water soluble so as soon as you ride on a wet road most of the 365 is washed away.

I switched to ACF50 last winter and it really does stick like sh1t to a blanket. I left it all winter and just sprayed some extra on at what appeared to be appropriate times. It creaps into crevices and stays there.

Come spring time it really looked magnificent!!! A truly filthy pile of crud and salt that no crim would even consider nicking. The only bits I had cleaned were those that I came into contact with, i.e. bits of the tank, the lifting handle and bits of frame.

Hot water and vehicle shampoo removed everything where I wanted it to, I left the out of reach and out of sight bits with just a pressure wash and a nother spray of ACF.

I do have some pretty badly corroded patches on the engine cases but suspect that was the result of the year one neglect. I hadn't had a bike for over twenty years and just didn't appreciate how badly it would deteriorate.

Still goes quite nicely though as some folk will vouch

 

[AdamA]

From what i can gather of that test ACF50 comes 2nd? So obviously i looked up tectyl superwax but it gave only 3 results on google - is this stuff top secret or what?!

It's some european thing I believe. I looked for it too but couldn't find much.
I don't think it would be brilliant for the application anyhow as it would look crap ( a minor problem) and I think be a bitch to get off (think chain wax).

To be fair to ACF50 it appeared that the handle of the wallpaper scrapper held a little water and thats what started the rust process.

Yeah sure, it did great and I think it is the best product for the job currently on the market. Just pointing out it does have it's limitations tho, and a quick clean/extra squirt once in a while wouldn't do any harm.

 

[Allan Davies]

I'm sure this ACF50 is the same ish stuff that the RN uses (or used to when I was infront of the mast, endex 2002) to protect their Harriers and Helo's whilst at sea. it was Called PX24 I think. I had some in an old container that I used and it did the same kind of anti-corrosive duties as ACF50 on my old Priila.

 

[zoltan]

The wax product:
http://216.239.59.132/search?q=cach....pdf+Tectyl+Superwax&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=uk

Mercedes used to sell something similar . Applying the wax to the bike (a k100rs with white wheels) was a nightmare , once it dried it turned yellow and sticky .Soon the wheels were black from dirt and salt .
To take the stuff I had to use petrol and a lot of time. But it did the job...

 

[STUBBS]

whats this washig off lark

 

[Deleted account LB]

Many of the replies to this thread seem to be theoretical rather than from people who have ridden through several past winters and can confirm what the salt will really do!

What happens to the ACF50/WD40 on the engine and exhaust where it gets hot and the stuff smokes? Is there any protective coating left or does it get burnt off?

I have used ACF50 for three years now and it does work well. I tend to spray it on but make sure you warm it up first in hot water as it thins it out a bit. Once applied I tend to start the engine to get it to steam which only gets it to the bits you cant reach. The first time I put it on I overdid it a bit and the bike looked like it had been covered in jam but the excess will eventually burn off or run off.

I wash the bike as normal and reapply the ACF every three months or so

 

[AdamA]

I'm sure this ACF50 is the same ish stuff that the RN uses (or used to when I was infront of the mast, endex 2002) to protect their Harriers and Helo's whilst at sea. it was Called PX24 I think. I had some in an old container that I used and it did the same kind of anti-corrosive duties as ACF50 on my old Priila.

Not the same, but it is very similar.
If you know how you can demand ACF-50 on an NSN too.


Stock #10013, (NSN 8030-01-438-4079), 13 oz aerosol can, case of 12
Stock #10032, (NSN to be assigned in the near future), 32 oz bottle with pump-up sprayer, case of 4
Stock #10004, (NSN 8030-01-438-4081), 4 liter jug, case of 4
Stock #10020, (NSN 8030-01-438-4086), 20 liter pail
Stock #10114, (NSN 8030-01-498-3889), 114 liter drum
Stock #10205, (NSN 8030-01-486-3603), 205 liter drum

 

[GADGET]

acf50

I have invested in a 4 litre container of ACF-50, cost me nearly £100, but I recon will last me a lifetime, if I slow down changing my bikes a bit. I spray it on using one of those small airguns used for detailed paintspraying, its comes out in a fine mist, giving just the right coverage, gets everywhere, but not too much.

 

[cookie]

I have invested in a 4 litre container of ACF-50, cost me nearly £100

i bought two aerosols, a couple of years ago, as they were on offer at normans.

i gave one away, done my bike several times, and still have half a tin left

 

[Gauche Rider]

Works for me!

Apply in Nov/Dec, rinse occasionally, clean thoroughly in Spring, nice shiny bike. Thats 1000 miles per month winter commuting through the East Yorkshire salt mines.

 

[Packer]

I have invested in a 4 litre container of ACF-50, cost me nearly £100, but I recon will last me a lifetime, if I slow down changing my bikes a bit. I spray it on using one of those small airguns used for detailed paintspraying, its comes out in a fine mist, giving just the right coverage, gets everywhere, but not too much.

It has a shelf life of 20 months after which it is useless as it biodegrades





































Just kidding

 

[spm0912]

I bought my GSA last November brand new and coated it in acf50, bike was ridden most days irrespective of weather, I think I washed it twice and recoated main areas. After a 2 hour deep clean in spring I can honestly say the bike looked brand new, no furry fasteners and a shiny engine case.

I re-applied the stuff a month ago and as most have noted the bike looks filthy, I plan to leave it until spring this time before cleaning but I can understand why people get twitchy about not washing their bikes.

I too brought the 2 aerosols from NN and still have a can and a bit left.

IMHO a must for anyone who commutes throughout the winter.

 

[gsbiker]

I bought my bike a few weeks ago, still only 400miles on clock as I only ride for pleasure and see no reason to ride at the moment - however I'm very nervous about NOT washing my bike down as soon as it gets dirty. Maybe I can learn something from you guys who just ACF50 spray and leave - good to know it works! Seems ACF50 is better than Scottoiler! Is there any mileage in getting a front mudguard extender to protect the front of the engine casing and exhaust?

Here's some interesting info from the ACF50 website
http://www.acf-50.co.uk/motorcycle.htm

 

[Hookster]

Hi,

Well luckily I scrubbed the bike down 2 weeks ago and soaked the thing in ACF50. Works a treat although the brakes don't like it if it splashes on there

Anyway been riding it everyday and now the roads are truly gritted and you can see it on the bike.

I've never used ACF50 before but how do I go about "washing down" the bike or do I even have to? I took the advice of everyone on here and used ACF50 to protect it and I think it means that I only need to wash it down next spring. Is this right? I don't want to wash it down every day and think the ACF50 is still doing its thing when infact I've washed it off.

What does everyone else do?

Cheers

ACF newbie

Have a look here for a bit more info and advice.

Hooky

 

[spencetj]

I have been looking at the AllYearBiker website, on the Testimonial page there are details of what is involved when they come and treat a group of bikes at a hosted site. But in the description and photos of the Newbury event the bikes are cleaned with a pressure washer. I thought that was something to be avoided?

How easy (or hard) would it be to replicate this service at home I wonder? Then you would be able to re-treat you bike as necessary. I have the pressure washer (which I have never dared use on the bike), i guess the spray gun to apply the ACF50 might cost a few quid?

 

[AdamA]

cleaned with a pressure washer. I thought that was something to be avoided?

There is nothing wrong with using a jet washer IF you avoid spraying it directly at areas where water ingress (hence damage) can occur such as bearings and elctrical connetors.

Simply spraying from a distance prevents any damage.

How easy (or hard) would it be to replicate this service at home I wonder?

Depends how much you like graft. Some of us despise even washing the bike.
If you don't mind then it's a piece of piss.

i guess the spray gun to apply the ACF50 might cost a few quid?

Not much. As Gadget said:

I spray it on using one of those small airguns used for detailed paintspraying, its comes out in a fine mist, giving just the right coverage, gets everywhere, but not too much.

Any craft shop should sell something suitable for not much outlay.

 

[Wapping]

I have been looking at the AllYearBiker website, on the Testimonial page there are details of what is involved when they come and treat a group of bikes at a hosted site. But in the description and photos of the Newbury event the bikes are cleaned with a pressure washer. I thought that was something to be avoided?

How easy (or hard) would it be to replicate this service at home I wonder? Then you would be able to re-treat you bike as necessary. I have the pressure washer (which I have never dared use on the bike), i guess the spray gun to apply the ACF50 might cost a few quid?

It would be incredibly hard to replicate.

Under no circumstances try, without a grown-up holding your hand.

 

[Kev B]

It would be incredibly hard to replicate.

Under no circumstances try, without a grown-up holding your hand.

Ive been pondering this all night ! Spraying ACF-50 on my own?
NAH too risky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[spencetj]

OK, OK, nobody likes smart-arse!

Perhaps I didn't phrase it very well but there was a serious point to the question. Mechanically challenged as I am, I can operate an aerosol quite successfully. What I don't have is much free time, a compressor or any spraying equipment.

The people who provide these services claim that spraying ACF at high pressure is more effective than the aerosol and gets it into places that might not otherwise be reached.

I believe they also use a compressor to blow-dry the bike before applying the ACF. Its hard enough trying to clean the bike but getting it dry in this weather? Does it really need to be dry anyway? I haven't found anything in the ACF instructions that say either way.