Corrosion protection??

[GSAHippo]

Due to the new paint/coating on the new R1300 GS and GSA engines, is anyone using any kind of protective anti-corrosion spray?
Feels wrong not to apply anything after drenching so many previous bikes in wd40 & gt85, acf50 etc.

 

[siddo]

XCP Rust Blocker for me.
Do a search as there are plenty of options and yt comparison videos on here.

 

[littleade]

Are you going to ride it all through the winter and how often do you clean your bikes?

 

[GSAHippo]

Are you going to ride it all through the winter and how often do you clean your bikes?

Very little riding through the winter months occasional clear days, generally clean the bike after a couple of rides.

 

[Fiddlesticks]

I tend to give mine a coat of XCP once the roads get gritted. A rinse off with water won't wash it away, but a proper soapy clean will. So maybe one decent wash through the winter, and a re-application mid way through. Otherwise just a quick rinse. If it's not out in the salt, you might not bother, but if it was me I'd be putting it away clean every time in that case.

 

[littleade]

Very little riding through the winter months occasional clear days, generally clean the bike after a couple of rides.

I remove the tear wheel and use XCP Clear on the rear hub/disc assembly making sure I don't get any on the disc itself. I also use it on the parts I can't see normally on the underneath of the bike. The other fixings I need to protect I coat with FS365. This needs regular applications, it's not like ACF50 or XCP but I prefer it as it comes off easily with a normal wash and it's not sticky like ACF50Nsonall the road crap doesn't stick to it so the bike still looks nice if that's important to you. I don't ride once the gritters appear until spring now, I lay mine up after giving it a good clean and a coat of FS365, but have previously ridden on nice days in the winter, but always cleaned the bike after the ride once it's cooled down fully and reapplied FS365. Using stuff like ACF50 or XCP it's vital the bike is really clean, otherwise you just cover the crap up, which can then cause corrosion. It all depends how keen you are in keeping your bike free of corrosion and how often you ride in the winter months.

 

[botus]

XCP Rust Blocker for me.

now I've used it, that spray on vaseline is just a nuisance

ACF50 is far better, and if you really what to look after your bike just wash it regularly and spray on wd40 like I did for 40 years on Jap bikes that still look like new....

Post in thread 'XCP vs ACF on new engine cases.'

Oct 7, 2025

Gave the XCP clearcoat a go yesterday... observations

Easier to spray apply from an aerosol can then ACF50 - in my experience ACF50 is so thick it almost doesn't spray out, just dribbles - which works and saves lots. I just dribble on an old tooth brush and apply on the bare metal surfaces where it comes with nothing, and on to brake calipers, bolt heads, pipe unions etc.

You need a mask - never noticed ACF50 get airborne but XCP clearcoat lingers - and now I can feel it next day in the back of my throat - WEAR A MASK !!!

It smells naff compared to ACF 50, not unpleasant but not...

• botus

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[Barnoe]

I found ACF50 too thick and greasy and actually made the bike look shite, and cleaning it off is a nightmare!
never again.

A good clean, WD40 and wax polish is all i do now.

Never used XCP so cannot comment, the ACF50 experience put me off these type of protection.

 

[siddo]

now I've used it, that spray on vaseline is just a nuisance

ACF50 is far better, and if you really what to look after your bike just wash it regularly and spray on wd40 like I did for 40 years on Jap bikes that still look like new....

Post in thread 'XCP vs ACF on new engine cases.'

Oct 7, 2025

Gave the XCP clearcoat a go yesterday... observations

Easier to spray apply from an aerosol can then ACF50 - in my experience ACF50 is so thick it almost doesn't spray out, just dribbles - which works and saves lots. I just dribble on an old tooth brush and apply on the bare metal surfaces where it comes with nothing, and on to brake calipers, bolt heads, pipe unions etc.

You need a mask - never noticed ACF50 get airborne but XCP clearcoat lingers - and now I can feel it next day in the back of my throat - WEAR A MASK !!!

It smells naff compared to ACF 50, not unpleasant but not...

• botus

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In your opinion.
I like that it stays on until removed with degreaser i.e. Jizer.

 

[littleade]

 

[botus]

how usable is the vehicle after putting it on and how easy is it to apply

if you survive the spray on vaseline you have a sticky hideous mess that needs cleaning straight away, as dust, bugs and debris stick worse than shit to a blanket

 

[Barnoe]

In your opinion.
I like that it stays on until removed with degreaser i.e. Jizer.

Didnt know you could use Jizz as a degreaser.

might get some funny looks of the neighbours though!

 

[siddo]

how usable is the vehicle after putting it on and how easy is it to apply

if you survive the spray on vaseline you have a sticky hideous mess that needs cleaning straight away, as dust, bugs and debris stick worse than shit to a blanket

You wipe off the excess!

 

[Slipperyeel]

Not using it on a nice new 1300, but I swear by ACF50. I finally trust it and don't mind the bike looking shite in the dark months. What I do like, is that it cleans up a gleaming bike for the spring and summer riding every time!
My twin cam gets lots of comments on its condition... I've done 60 of the 70k miles on it, through all weathers and aside from looking after it mechanically and the dowsing in ACF50, I don't do a lot else to it.
But... maybe...the paint finishes on the newer bikes isn't what it used to be.

 

[clutchspring]

WD40 for me as well after a “proper “WASH” & dry ,
Don’t waste your money buying wd40 ln cans buy it in 5ltr containers

 

[Redboots]

WD40 for me as well after a “proper “WASH” & dry ,
Don’t waste your money buying wd40

85% kerosene

 

[WhiskyMac]

I use ACF50 -but only on the bolts/fasteners. Apply with a small paint brush, and remove the excess with a microfibre (avoid brakes/careful on banjo bolts obviously). Was recommended this - https://www.morrislubricantsonline.co.uk/workshop-pro-surface-conditioner-en.html - seems very good, less likely to attract dirt than ACF50 - however, I tend to wash the bike after a rainy ride and dry before putting away, so probably wouldn't trust for longevity. Basically, if I was riding all winter I'd chuck XCP/ACF on the bike everywhere. If riding in decent weather/prepared to rinse/dry after riding in rain, then something less likely to attract dirt.

 

[Bobinyak]

from the test in the Bennets video Waxoil came out great for protection but hard to get off, Jenolite the makers suggest Paraffin for removal ready for washing, drying re-application

 

[Engineer]

Are there any reports of common corrosion issues on the 1300 yet?

 

[botus]

the whole thing looks more knackered at 6 months than a well loved 20 year old air cooled GS