Washing after ACF-50

[Juanma33]

Hi Guys,

Since I've been living most of my life in Spain, corrosion wasn't a problem until now, so my knowledge about products like ACF-50 is quite limited... be gentle!!

I'm commuting every day on the bike, before the winter is here, I decided to have a go, I applied ACF-50 (Spray tin from amazon) before going last week to Snowdonia, so I could see how performs and how dirty the bike gets.

As expected, the film created on the bike is quite sticky, so I got plenty of dirtiness, mostly in the swingarm and front of the engine, nothing to be worried so far, however, after washing the bike (using a hose pipe, shower gel and lot of patience) I still have a few spots pretty much "glued" to the bike. I was expecting that as soon as the water hit the bike, all the dirtiness would go away easily, but it didn't happen, a few questions rise here...

1) Is it normal to get some "sticky" patches of dirtiness? or I applied too much ACF-50? I passed a cloth on the bike after spayed it, so the film created on the bike was quite uniform and not excessive (at least, that's what I though)

2) Winter preparation, Should I just stop worrying... apply ACF-50 again in october/november and don't wash the bike until the spring? I read that some people do that, but I can imagine that the bike will get tons of dirtiness on it during the winter.... and some of it won't go away after that...

Thanks!!!

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Once it's been ACF'd, don't wash it until after the winter salt has gone. Then give it a bloody good scrub.

 

[Edward]

Once it's been ACF'd, don't wash it until after the winter salt has gone. Then give it a bloody good scrub.

Then you will see all the bits you missed.

 

[Juanma33]

Thanks guys!

I´ll probably wash the bike at least a once during the winter.... as Edward said, I will see the bits I missed.. so.. ACF will be apply to those areas

thanks!

 

[Spectre]

I just never wash it.. Just keep re-applying!

 

[blues n twos]

Personally I would never trust it to keep your bike safe from corrosion from November to April. If you don't really càre about corrosion and can't be arsed to wash it then by all means rely on it.

You are better off just rinsing the bike down with cold wàter when you get caught out. Regular maintenance is the only way to gaurantee your bike will mot rot in front of you over the winter.

Jon

 

[Beemerman59]

Personally I would never trust it to keep your bike safe from corrosion from November to April. If you don't really càre about corrosion and can't be arsed to wash it then by all means rely on it.

You are better off just rinsing the bike down with cold wàter when you get caught out. Regular maintenance is the only way to gaurantee your bike will mot rot in front of you over the winter.

Jon

I would always hose it off with cold water after a salt laden winter ride but if you wash the bike using a cleaner etc then you should reapply the ACF. I only have corrosion on the caliper bolts because I forgot to cover them with ACF last year. Rest of the bike is in great condition after 5 winters.

 

[blues n twos]

I tend to hand apply it to all the bolts heads especially spoke ends etc as they are hard to clean areas. Regular washing and reapplication with a small brush of ACF50 is about what I do.

Pre winter the wheels, sump guard and body panels will come of and I will liberally coat never seen areas with ACF50 but the easily seen areas get regularly cleaned and a wipe over with a WD40 soaked rag.

This is my first new BMW so I will maintain it to the best of my ability, and Until the end of Jan I will be commuting daily to Waterloo

Previous bikes have never suffered through winter use due to regular cleaning

Jon

 

[Juanma33]

Well... I will do my best.

I normally wash the bike twice per month.... I guess I would end up washing it once per month during the winter and re-applying ACF-50.

However, any tiny sign of corrosion... and I will pay a visit to the leadership and use the warranty.

Thanks!

Juanma