Corrosion on GSA 08 Panniers
- Thread starter allthegearnoidea
- Start date
If you want shiny panniers Wadpol http://www.indestructible.co.uk/wadpol/
is the stuff. I used to polish betties fast jets many years ago with it.
On the other hand lifes to short once the surface oxidises they won't get much worse.
is the stuff. I used to polish betties fast jets many years ago with it.
On the other hand lifes to short once the surface oxidises they won't get much worse.
You all bought the wrong sort of BMW panniers
The plastic ones would have been corrosion free
The plastic ones would have been corrosion free
slojon
Guest
Go to your friendly Navy airbase and find out what they put on their helicopters.
my solution.........
I had my new GSA on the 1st of November. 1st ride and one pannier went bad. BMW agreed a swap so I had a play with it before the swap.
Best finish by far for me was with a green scotchbrite pad. Next thing is protection from the elements. I used this........
www.meguiarsshop.co.uk/
On the site go to glass & metal and look at NXT metal protection wax.
Not trying to polish the alloy but it protects like a car wax. Water beads and runs off. Top box been on every day in the salt..........no corrosion
Hope this helps
Roger O.
I had my new GSA on the 1st of November. 1st ride and one pannier went bad. BMW agreed a swap so I had a play with it before the swap.
Best finish by far for me was with a green scotchbrite pad. Next thing is protection from the elements. I used this........
www.meguiarsshop.co.uk/
On the site go to glass & metal and look at NXT metal protection wax.
Not trying to polish the alloy but it protects like a car wax. Water beads and runs off. Top box been on every day in the salt..........no corrosion
Hope this helps
Roger O.
gsbiker
Registered user
I had my new GSA on the 1st of November. 1st ride and one pannier went bad. BMW agreed a swap so I had a play with it before the swap.
Best finish by far for me was with a green scotchbrite pad. Next thing is protection from the elements. I used this........
www.meguiarsshop.co.uk/
On the site go to glass & metal and look at NXT metal protection wax.
Not trying to polish the alloy but it protects like a car wax. Water beads and runs off. Top box been on every day in the salt..........no corrosion
Hope this helps
Roger O.
Hello Roger
I followed the links as you said but can you tell me if the NXT metal polish will REMOVE corrosion / salt marks or not? There are plenty of metal polishes, I use autosolve but it doesn't remove the marks and makes your cloth go black and that rubs into the metal and around you go again polishing that black out, buffing etc.
well........
PH4824,
The polish doesn't get out bad salt marks as they seem to etch into the metal itself. I used the green scotchbrite pad as this gets out the salt marks very easily and leaves linear marks just as per the original finish.
The metal polish is similar to autosol in that it makes the cloth go black. I apply it with an applicator pad (Same web site) and buff off with a clean cloth. The difference from autosol is it buffs so much easier and the main thing is it leaves a protective coat.
I scotchbrited the top box lid and back, you cant tell the difference to the standard finish. Did a few hundred miles on wet salty roads and left it three days, Hand wash and no salt marks
All I do after a wash is a quick 2-3 minute wipe over with the polish to re-protect it.
I rarely use the panniers so I've just metal polished them and left them in the garage for the time being.
Hope this helps.
Roger.
PH4824,
The polish doesn't get out bad salt marks as they seem to etch into the metal itself. I used the green scotchbrite pad as this gets out the salt marks very easily and leaves linear marks just as per the original finish.
The metal polish is similar to autosol in that it makes the cloth go black. I apply it with an applicator pad (Same web site) and buff off with a clean cloth. The difference from autosol is it buffs so much easier and the main thing is it leaves a protective coat.
I scotchbrited the top box lid and back, you cant tell the difference to the standard finish. Did a few hundred miles on wet salty roads and left it three days, Hand wash and no salt marks
All I do after a wash is a quick 2-3 minute wipe over with the polish to re-protect it.I rarely use the panniers so I've just metal polished them and left them in the garage for the time being.
Hope this helps.
Roger.
allthegearnoidea
Registered user
Now we're making some progress......
Firstly thankyou to all of you for your suggestions.
My summary of my research so far.
1. Removing the corrosion marks
Not too many suggestions. Wire wool (which sounds really scary anyway) might cause a corrosive reaction. Scotchbrite pads (still scares me) but tried on a small patch does seem to remove the marks but necessitates doing the whole pannier. Are there any metallurgists/practical types who could provide any reason why the scotchbrite pad method is not the one to go for? It does shift the stains in short order.
2. Protecting the panniers either before corrosion occurs or once best attempts have been made to remove existing corrosion.
Various polishes seem to be coming up. Autosol though no claims are being made for its subsequent protective qualities. Belom Alu/Wadpol and NXT metal protection wax. All claim to leave a protective wax coating after polishing which will help prevent corrosion provided the polish is kept topped up. Does anyone have any experience of the use of these polishes on the panniers over a winter?
The miracle cure ACF-50 though there appear to be reservations about its use on panniers. Based on my own experience of ACF-50 I think it would be fine on the wheelside and bottoms of the panniers but would probably lead to filthy sticky mess on the other (more readily touchable) sides.
On balance a combination of Protective polish and ACF-50 on the inner sides/bottom seems to be the way ahead. Does this seem sensible? Does anyone disagree?
The threads on covering with plastic films are impressive but to be honest I don't have the patience or sadly the time.
Take them back and argue with BMW feels kind of just, but I really am worried that without other maintenance measures and given the mileage that I do, I would be back to the dealers once a month during winter. Not an enticing prospect.
Just leave em/bikes are for riding. I really do admire the spirit behind these suggestions and wish I was brave enough to take this attitude. But, I hate my bike looking crap and when the panniers did inevitably need replacing I suspect my wife would have strong views on the subject.
So in summary I'm going to scotchbrite them, put a protective polish on the areas that I am likely to come into regular contact with, and ACF-50 on the out of the way areas unless anyone tells me otherwise.
All we need now is for BMW to think about the use of their products in the real world (riding to work in the winter is hardly "crossing continents") and maybe we wouldn't have to worry about our extremely pricey panniers looking shite after nine weeks.
Thanks everyone for your help.
Firstly thankyou to all of you for your suggestions.
My summary of my research so far.
1. Removing the corrosion marks
Not too many suggestions. Wire wool (which sounds really scary anyway) might cause a corrosive reaction. Scotchbrite pads (still scares me) but tried on a small patch does seem to remove the marks but necessitates doing the whole pannier. Are there any metallurgists/practical types who could provide any reason why the scotchbrite pad method is not the one to go for? It does shift the stains in short order.
2. Protecting the panniers either before corrosion occurs or once best attempts have been made to remove existing corrosion.
Various polishes seem to be coming up. Autosol though no claims are being made for its subsequent protective qualities. Belom Alu/Wadpol and NXT metal protection wax. All claim to leave a protective wax coating after polishing which will help prevent corrosion provided the polish is kept topped up. Does anyone have any experience of the use of these polishes on the panniers over a winter?
The miracle cure ACF-50 though there appear to be reservations about its use on panniers. Based on my own experience of ACF-50 I think it would be fine on the wheelside and bottoms of the panniers but would probably lead to filthy sticky mess on the other (more readily touchable) sides.
On balance a combination of Protective polish and ACF-50 on the inner sides/bottom seems to be the way ahead. Does this seem sensible? Does anyone disagree?
The threads on covering with plastic films are impressive but to be honest I don't have the patience or sadly the time.
Take them back and argue with BMW feels kind of just, but I really am worried that without other maintenance measures and given the mileage that I do, I would be back to the dealers once a month during winter. Not an enticing prospect.
Just leave em/bikes are for riding. I really do admire the spirit behind these suggestions and wish I was brave enough to take this attitude. But, I hate my bike looking crap and when the panniers did inevitably need replacing I suspect my wife would have strong views on the subject.
So in summary I'm going to scotchbrite them, put a protective polish on the areas that I am likely to come into regular contact with, and ACF-50 on the out of the way areas unless anyone tells me otherwise.
All we need now is for BMW to think about the use of their products in the real world (riding to work in the winter is hardly "crossing continents") and maybe we wouldn't have to worry about our extremely pricey panniers looking shite after nine weeks.
Thanks everyone for your help.
Re. helicopter idea. I'm looking into a hanger full of them covered in that magic material....Paint.
I've just finished restoring a very old brass bed, final polishing with MAAS so I'm going to try that on a bit of my top box. I will post results later.
I've just finished restoring a very old brass bed, final polishing with MAAS so I'm going to try that on a bit of my top box. I will post results later.
skywalker
Guest
Oh good grief 28 posts regarding bare metal panniers.Have you bought them just for show ( like to be like Ewan & Charlie) or are you going to do some serious touring? Cos if its the latter shiny panniers won't be worth jack shit after a bit.
Before you take scotchbrite to aluminium http://www.keytometals.com/Article14.htm
allthegearnoidea
Registered user
What does the article mean?
Alby I am sorry to be thick but what should I learn from the article you have linked to? it seems to suggest that the protective barrier will reform.
Alby I am sorry to be thick but what should I learn from the article you have linked to? it seems to suggest that the protective barrier will reform.
Sorry I dropped a link ,,I now can't find the one I wanted but this http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2008/03/19/the-scotchbrite-look-by-meanstreet/ gives the idea.
Scotch brite will leave lots of scratchs and more surface area for corrosion to start, each time you repeat process it will be worse.
I tried several metal polishes last night and had a quick mucky run this morning. I rinsed the top box down.
results MAAS and Betterware miracle metal polish. quick to apply and polish off,, bright finish,, dirt washed straight off with water displacing finish.
Goddards harder to apply finish good and water bobbled on it
Brasso and autosol difficult to work left residue and dirt stayed on finished area as did water..
Not a scientific test just displacement activity instead of doing the jobs I should be doing.
Scotch brite will leave lots of scratchs and more surface area for corrosion to start, each time you repeat process it will be worse.
I tried several metal polishes last night and had a quick mucky run this morning. I rinsed the top box down.
results MAAS and Betterware miracle metal polish. quick to apply and polish off,, bright finish,, dirt washed straight off with water displacing finish.
Goddards harder to apply finish good and water bobbled on it
Brasso and autosol difficult to work left residue and dirt stayed on finished area as did water..
Not a scientific test just displacement activity instead of doing the jobs I should be doing.
swissrob
Registered user
Belgom Alu - super easy to use and also contains a wax to protect.
very well recommended within the detailing community
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/advan...elgom&osCsid=6606eee0634a823b531cd92be124e931
and Alex at the above shop will see you right - top man
very well recommended within the detailing community
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/advan...elgom&osCsid=6606eee0634a823b531cd92be124e931
and Alex at the above shop will see you right - top man
gsbiker
Registered user
Hi allthegearnoidea, reading your conclusion seems like we share the exact same viewpoint - I feel exactly the same as you mate. I bought my new GSA on 20th November and road once with full panniers, the rest with just top box and no top box combination. Since 1st ride paniers have been sat in garage and I noticed today that one of the panniers has some large scuffs on top - very noticeable. Started to clean with autosolve but it made that area shiny - much to my dismay! Got me thinking, I had badly corroded front forks on my recently purchased Yamaha RD350R which were polished by a local metal polishing company and they did a great job. Spoke to the owner who used something like a scotchbrite pad rubbed some shiny chrome like metal to end up looking similar in finishing to our panniers. I'm going to conact this business to see what can be done about them as I am convinced now this is the only way to remove corrosion marks and scuffs. I think my scuff marks was through getting on and off the bike with panniers on - quite tricky! Metal polishes also mentioned here are also interesting me!
BEFORE - before I bought the bike
AFTER - bike restored in many ways
BEFORE - before I bought the bike
AFTER - bike restored in many ways
That really is a very nice job that he's done for you there. I would like to know how as well.
Nice looking bike too.
Nice looking bike too.
gsbiker
Registered user
I had to take the lower fork tubes to them where they polished them with a machine I think. They were satin finished rather that a shiny.
Anyways, I visit Oceon BMW in Plymouth today and showed them the corrosion on my top box and the answer was................ they all go like that sir!
Then I asked what I could do about it...................... nothing sir,
What about having them professionally buffed / polished................................that will make it worse as you will be etching into the ali. ACF50 will be about the best treatment.
I showed him the top of the top box and how I only noticed today what seems to be corrosion marks all over............................. ah that's the metal oxidising, nothing you can do about it I'm afraid sir.
Actually the guy I spoke to is very nice and he didn't say "sir" at all but you get my drift right. Not very good is it really, I mean your exhaust silencer don't corrode like this, I saw a new exhaust can on a GS today, it was a satin finish rather than chrome, I can't see that corroding either so why do these top boxes and panniers?
Anyways, I visit Oceon BMW in Plymouth today and showed them the corrosion on my top box and the answer was................ they all go like that sir!
Then I asked what I could do about it...................... nothing sir,
What about having them professionally buffed / polished................................that will make it worse as you will be etching into the ali. ACF50 will be about the best treatment.
I showed him the top of the top box and how I only noticed today what seems to be corrosion marks all over............................. ah that's the metal oxidising, nothing you can do about it I'm afraid sir.
Actually the guy I spoke to is very nice and he didn't say "sir" at all but you get my drift right. Not very good is it really, I mean your exhaust silencer don't corrode like this, I saw a new exhaust can on a GS today, it was a satin finish rather than chrome, I can't see that corroding either so why do these top boxes and panniers?
While I agree with you that it's a shame to see your shiny things lose their shine, the dealer was right in what they said (however, I'm not saying their 'tone' was right) - the panniers are raw unfinished aluminium, they are guaranteed to oxidise and corrode.
The only way to have aluminium panniers that don't do this is to either anodise them at manufacture or apply a protective coating (powder coat etc).
Or you can learn to live with it - it doesn't stop them doing their job
The only way to have aluminium panniers that don't do this is to either anodise them at manufacture or apply a protective coating (powder coat etc).
Or you can learn to live with it - it doesn't stop them doing their job
gsbiker
Registered user
While I agree with you that it's a shame to see your shiny things lose their shine, the dealer was right in what they said (however, I'm not saying their 'tone' was right) - the panniers are raw unfinished aluminium, they are guaranteed to oxidise and corrode.
The only way to have aluminium panniers that don't do this is to either anodise them at manufacture or apply a protective coating (powder coat etc).
Or you can learn to live with it - it doesn't stop them doing their job
There was nothing wrong with the tone of the BMW guy, I didn't have a problem with him it's just that I wasn't told that they will corrode or anodise, thought they would stay shiny and new looking as long as I looked after them - obviously not!
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