ACF-50 and the application of it
Discussion
Oh wise men of PH, help see the ways of the all-weather-biker and commuter and tell me how best to apply this stuff.
I've read that its good and its the only thing that keeps all the bolts and fastenings on BMWs from dissolving like aspirin. So I have bought a can and I could read the instructions but in the real world, how much should I slap on and what happens when I wash it? Re-apply?
I've read that its good and its the only thing that keeps all the bolts and fastenings on BMWs from dissolving like aspirin. So I have bought a can and I could read the instructions but in the real world, how much should I slap on and what happens when I wash it? Re-apply?
I've just booked my bike in to have it professionally applied by one of the chaps from All Year Biker. £60 for him to wash the bike and ACF50 it seems like a reasonable price to me.After I have cleaned the bike and its fairly dry I liberally spray it on the mechanical parts of the bike, but away from the brakes and tyres, which I guess its obvious.
Linkages and electricals get it all...
I will say that I had to learn not to overdo it as I had purple liquid dripping off the bike. A fine mist is whats required.
Linkages and electricals get it all...
I will say that I had to learn not to overdo it as I had purple liquid dripping off the bike. A fine mist is whats required.
if you can borrow or have a compressor with attachments that is one of the better ways, sprayed as a fine mist under pressure
i had an aerosol which i used to heat up in bucket of water and then for a reason i don't know, bought a big bottle of the stuff with a tiny applicator bottle which only emits a jet rather than a spray, so i brush it on, the bike, me, the drive, the garage floor, kitchen
stuff gets everywhere
i had an aerosol which i used to heat up in bucket of water and then for a reason i don't know, bought a big bottle of the stuff with a tiny applicator bottle which only emits a jet rather than a spray, so i brush it on, the bike, me, the drive, the garage floor, kitchen
stuff gets everywhere
Thoroughly clean and dry bike.
Leave can of ACF50 in warm bucket/ sink of water whilst doing above.
Shake can well and give bike a quick spray avoiding brakes/ tyres.
Use paint brush and ACF50 soaked rag to distribute ACF50 over bike and into all nooks and crannies. You only need a really fine film of the stuff. 1/3rd of a can is plenty for a whole bike.
Having said all that I wouldn't bother with the ACF50 application until November or when there's any chance of salt going down. The stuff is a bugger to get off and attracts loads of dirt so the bike will look crap pretty quick and a normal wash won't bring it back to shinny. It protects the bike against salt and corrosion so once applied you just have to leave it and trust that's its' doing it's job (which it does).
Personally as a year round commuter I apply it in Nov/Dec and then don't wash the bike until Feb/ March. Save the odd top up if it's seen some really bad weather. The bike looks terrible with the ACF50 attracting all the dirt. But it is protected underneath. Once I'm convinced we've seen the last of the salt it's time for a spring clean.
Jet wash to get the worst off
WD40 to get shot of the ACF50
Normal wash to get shot of the WD40
Been using the above system for the last five winters now and it does work. The other alternative is to wash all the salt off every time I ride which is every day. Sod that.
Leave can of ACF50 in warm bucket/ sink of water whilst doing above.
Shake can well and give bike a quick spray avoiding brakes/ tyres.
Use paint brush and ACF50 soaked rag to distribute ACF50 over bike and into all nooks and crannies. You only need a really fine film of the stuff. 1/3rd of a can is plenty for a whole bike.
Having said all that I wouldn't bother with the ACF50 application until November or when there's any chance of salt going down. The stuff is a bugger to get off and attracts loads of dirt so the bike will look crap pretty quick and a normal wash won't bring it back to shinny. It protects the bike against salt and corrosion so once applied you just have to leave it and trust that's its' doing it's job (which it does).
Personally as a year round commuter I apply it in Nov/Dec and then don't wash the bike until Feb/ March. Save the odd top up if it's seen some really bad weather. The bike looks terrible with the ACF50 attracting all the dirt. But it is protected underneath. Once I'm convinced we've seen the last of the salt it's time for a spring clean.
Jet wash to get the worst off
WD40 to get shot of the ACF50
Normal wash to get shot of the WD40
Been using the above system for the last five winters now and it does work. The other alternative is to wash all the salt off every time I ride which is every day. Sod that.
Edited by Harry H on Tuesday 25th August 14:08
terry tibbs said:
if you can borrow or have a compressor with attachments that is one of the better ways, sprayed as a fine mist under pressure
i had an aerosol which i used to heat up in bucket of water and then for a reason i don't know, bought a big bottle of the stuff with a tiny applicator bottle which only emits a jet rather than a spray, so i brush it on, the bike, me, the drive, the garage floor, kitchen
stuff gets everywhere
Totally agree.i had an aerosol which i used to heat up in bucket of water and then for a reason i don't know, bought a big bottle of the stuff with a tiny applicator bottle which only emits a jet rather than a spray, so i brush it on, the bike, me, the drive, the garage floor, kitchen
stuff gets everywhere
I've tried the aerosol, the tiny pump spray bottle and a hand pump garden sprayer. All utterly useless because you can never get a fine enough mist. It just dribbles down the can or on to the floor when you inevitably spray too much at the bike.
Get a cheap paint sprayer (something similar to this) it really is so much better. Super fine and even spray with minimal waste.
Harry H said:
Thoroughly clean and dry bike.
Leave can of ACF50 in warm bucket/ sink of water whilst doing above.
Shake can well and give bike a quick spray avoiding brakes/ tyres.
Use paint brush and ACF50 soaked rag to distribute ACF50 over bike and into all nooks and crannies. You only need a really fine film of the stuff. 1/3rd of a can is plenty for a whole bike.
Having said all that I wouldn't bother with the ACF50 application until November or when there's any chance of salt going down. The stuff is a bugger to get off and attracts loads of dirt so the bike will look crap pretty quick and a normal wash won't bring it back to shinny. It protects the bike against salt and corrosion so once applied you just have to leave it and trust that's its' doing it's job (which it does).
This. Leave can of ACF50 in warm bucket/ sink of water whilst doing above.
Shake can well and give bike a quick spray avoiding brakes/ tyres.
Use paint brush and ACF50 soaked rag to distribute ACF50 over bike and into all nooks and crannies. You only need a really fine film of the stuff. 1/3rd of a can is plenty for a whole bike.
Having said all that I wouldn't bother with the ACF50 application until November or when there's any chance of salt going down. The stuff is a bugger to get off and attracts loads of dirt so the bike will look crap pretty quick and a normal wash won't bring it back to shinny. It protects the bike against salt and corrosion so once applied you just have to leave it and trust that's its' doing it's job (which it does).
Edited by Harry H on Tuesday 25th August 14:08
Also be prepared for a few funny looks when you first ride up the road and the bike starts smoking from it all burning off.
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