Using ACF 50

[byron]

Looking for a bit of advice on how to apply it. Just got a tin and was wondering how much and where to apply to the 1200rt. In the past on my bikes I have regularly used WD40 and got used to the burn off from some of the hotter parts for the first few miles, but my dealer CW in Dorchester suggested that this was the only suitable protection for the bike for any winter use.
How do you guys use it and is it easy to remove?

Regards
Byron

 

[Buz]

Just had Allyearbikers do mine. He sprayed all the bike except the tyres and brake discs. For the wheels he sprayed it on a cloth and wiped it on the wheels. the art is to spray it finely so it atomises, he used a spray gun and compressor.
Less is more kind of thing.
Make sure the bike is clean, dry and engine is not hot before spraying.

 

[Fluffmeister]

I usually spray a bit in the lid of the can and then use a soft brush to apply it on the area's I need it on the GS. Goes a long way then, I bought 2 cans 18 months ago and still have a can left that's using it on the GS, Blade, MX-5 engine bay.

It's good stuff, but don't discount Scottoiler FS365, this is excellent as well, even though it is water based and will wash off eventually, it's great to have a bottle of that handy to spray on the bike in winter after a quick sluice down.

 

[GADGET]

I use a spray gun/compresser to apply mine, it then comes out in a fine mist which goes everywhere. Which is what you will want for an RT, unless your planning on stripping it down to get under the plastic.

 

[jonnie comet]

Could I just add, watch out for it 'creeping'....as in running down anything that you put it on. Really really watch out for it dripping onto brakes and tyres.

You don't need anything fancy to remove it, just use paraffin....comes off a treat...

 

[Riktus]

As already said dont worry too much about it if you are spraying in a large area use without the "straw" on the nozzle. I tend to be a bit liberal with it around engine and frame area and then place some in the can lid and use a cloth to wipe it on.

I think the key is to wash the bike with water after use adn not worry about it looking a bit manky until spring next year when you can remove the lot again and it looks sparkly)

I might add I left mine on parts of frame not in sight and all over shock and susp linkages and stand - bike still looks like new......

Rik

 

[Fluffmeister]

I use a spray gun/compresser to apply mine, it then comes out in a fine mist which goes everywhere. Which is what you will want for an RT, unless your planning on stripping it down to get under the plastic.

I need to get the ACF 50 out of my eyes ....sorry, I thought it was a GS Must pay more attention.

 

[Angryjock]

If you heat the can up first (I put it in a cup of hot water for 2 mins) and then give it a really good shake for a bit, I find it atomises much better meaning less runs and better surface coverage.

 

[Rasher]

If you heat the can up first (I put it in a cup of hot water for 2 mins) and then give it a really good shake for a bit, I find it atomises much better meaning less runs and better surface coverage.

I now heat up it up my ACF bottle in a bucket of warm water AND then apply it with compressor / spray gun.

You can get a cheap compressor and a spray gun for about £100, probably well worthwhile for those who do a lot of winter riding / have several bikes.

For the 3,000 dry miles per annum folk a once a year professional treatment (All Year Biker / Shiny Bike Syndrome) should suffice.

 

[byron]

acf 50 advice

Thanks for all the advice so it will be sprayed on warm and brushed with an artist brush with excess wiped off with parafin

Byron

 

[Nutty]

I like a clean bike, but I'm buggered if I'm going to spend 2 hours cleaning the bike after every ride this winter. So after reading all the posts, have booked the chap from AYB to come and work his magic on my black beauty next week. I just know that it will all go horribly wrong if I try to do it myself. For £60, it was a no brainer.

 

[Tilly]

Cotswold Motorrad do the job for £39.

 

[Nutty]

Cotswold Motorrad do the job for £39.

But do they take 3 hours to do the job and use an atomiser connected to a compressor? Pay £20 more and get a proper job done. Vines offered the same deal to me; when I asked about the full valet, and application with an atomiser, the service chap looked blank!

 

[Budweiser]

But do they take 3 hours to do the job and use an atomiser connected to a compressor? Pay £20 more and get a proper job done. Vines offered the same deal to me; when I asked about the full valet, and application with an atomiser, the service chap looked blank!

There is a place in Sudbury so that's where I'm going. Sounds great value for £60

 

[1964Hall]

The trick is not to throw on to much of the ACF.

CW's are a good dealer and IMO correct in the comment that ACF-50 is far better than the rest of the options.

Personally my routine is this for my RT12 used daily and coming up for it's fourth winter.
Come October time I clean the bike and remove the plastics up front.
Give a bit of a clean but not to much under the plastics and then fire up my small compressor and cheap gravity fed spray gun. Give a it a light coat all over the areas of metal or aluminium even if they are painted.

I touch up the exposed bolts and wheels with a paint brush, and keep a ACF-50 damp rag in a bag for the final wipe around and to mop up any surplus ACF.

Recently I purchased a new £50 hobby mini spray gun and compressor of ebay which works well as it's small (actually fits in mt pannier with skinny lid on) has a flexable hose which reaches around the bike, and is quiet and economical in use for the touchups that might be required through the winter.
actually works quite well and very accurate and light with spray.
You can get ACF-50 grease as well, I use this on all the electrical connectors, only have to do this once tho really.
hth
\v/

 

[Budweiser]

Had mine done yesterday by AYB and am very pleased with the outcome. £60 well spent IMO

 

[1964Hall]

Yes, I used them once...

\v/

 

[byron]

Cop out at last

Thanks for all the useful and interesting comments about the dreaded ACF50 but fortunately earlier in the week I had the RT seviced at CW in Dorchester and as part of their winter offer coating with ACF50 was done for free, together with reduced costs but still with the usual CW top quality service.

So spare can of the slippery sucker at the moment--any ideas?

Byron

 

[bumble beemer]

Does anyone use anything else other than paraffin to remove ACF50 ?

 

[Nutty]

Does anyone use anything else other than paraffin to remove ACF50 ?

Sdoc100