Applying ACF-50
Discussion
Got a can of this sat in the garage that I want to apply before the salt comes out, but wanted a couple of answers from real world use.
Do I need to clean the bike first? It was clean about a month or so ago, so not too dirty - will it be fine to do without a deep clean?
Also, do I just go for it - engine, exhaust, bolts, body panels, wheels, dashboard, electrics - the lot? Obviously I'll be keeping it well away from the brakes - I will use a cloth to do anywhere near those.
Should the bike be hot or cold?
Do I need to clean the bike first? It was clean about a month or so ago, so not too dirty - will it be fine to do without a deep clean?
Also, do I just go for it - engine, exhaust, bolts, body panels, wheels, dashboard, electrics - the lot? Obviously I'll be keeping it well away from the brakes - I will use a cloth to do anywhere near those.
Should the bike be hot or cold?
Its basically just oil acting as a barrier against moisture and other crap.
Put it on anything you think might corrode, but not get hot (it'll burn off, not literally hopefully), or that you don't want oil on - the seat, the tyres and the brakes mainly.
It'll work best on a clean, cool and dry bike.
Good luck.
Put it on anything you think might corrode, but not get hot (it'll burn off, not literally hopefully), or that you don't want oil on - the seat, the tyres and the brakes mainly.
It'll work best on a clean, cool and dry bike.
Good luck.
I would say cleaner is better, but not essential that it's spotless. Obviously mud or dirt will prevent it from getting on the surface and it won't do it's job, but a bit of dust will just get absorbed into the product. A bit of road grime is fine I reckon.
Just got nuts with it, cover everything. I did my girlfriends bike before putting it away last winter. When we put it back on the road I gave it a quick once over on the cosmetic bits (forks, tank etc) to make it look a bit shinier - ie; wiping off the bulk of the residual ACF-50. It'll just smoke for a bit on exhaust parts, but no harm done. The bike still looks like brand new.
Bit late for you now, but I find the cans a bit messy to use. Kind of an all-or-nothing approach to applying it - hard to have much finesse. I've found buying a bulk container and using one of those plant mister spray things works better.
Just got nuts with it, cover everything. I did my girlfriends bike before putting it away last winter. When we put it back on the road I gave it a quick once over on the cosmetic bits (forks, tank etc) to make it look a bit shinier - ie; wiping off the bulk of the residual ACF-50. It'll just smoke for a bit on exhaust parts, but no harm done. The bike still looks like brand new.
Bit late for you now, but I find the cans a bit messy to use. Kind of an all-or-nothing approach to applying it - hard to have much finesse. I've found buying a bulk container and using one of those plant mister spray things works better.
I spray it onto a paintbrush, it's a lot more controllable and you really don't need much of the stuff to cover.
I use it on everything engine and suspension related, all bolts etc and have had good results.
The first time I used it I went mad a sprayed everything, then found the bike sitting in a purple puddle the next day. It smoked like hell every time I used it for about a week!
It's effective stuff, one rig I worked on used it to protect the power turbines (essentially jet engines).
I use it on everything engine and suspension related, all bolts etc and have had good results.
The first time I used it I went mad a sprayed everything, then found the bike sitting in a purple puddle the next day. It smoked like hell every time I used it for about a week!
It's effective stuff, one rig I worked on used it to protect the power turbines (essentially jet engines).
CAPP0 said:
There's an outfit with depots/operators all over the place who will (allegedly) deep-clean your bike then apply ACF-50 for £70. Anyone used these? I hate cleaning bikes so it might be a good option.
You and me both and yes I've seen this too but have no experience in it myself Just did my winter detail on the bike yesterday. Everything south of the seat gets ACF-50 as much as possible. Wipe off the plastics and any paintwork that got splashed. Plastics and trim get a trim protector applied and paintwork gets a sealant. Hopefully that should keep it looking good.
Make sure the bikes cleanish before starting, acf-50 can in a bucket of warm water to thin it down a bit, then go nuts.
Make sure the bikes cleanish before starting, acf-50 can in a bucket of warm water to thin it down a bit, then go nuts.
Much more controllable if you get the bulk bottle and small sprayer, or paint on with a small brush.
I did both my Indians with one can this summer, and still have a waterproof area on the block paving!
Think about where you're spraying it, I did the wheels and hubs, forgetting that the stuff gets flung out when riding! Took a while to wear the residue off the brake discs!
If you've not done it before, expect to be sat in a cloud of smelly smoke at the first couple of sets of traffic lights.
I did both my Indians with one can this summer, and still have a waterproof area on the block paving!
Think about where you're spraying it, I did the wheels and hubs, forgetting that the stuff gets flung out when riding! Took a while to wear the residue off the brake discs!
If you've not done it before, expect to be sat in a cloud of smelly smoke at the first couple of sets of traffic lights.
I had a dealer ACF50 my bike a couple of years back as part of a service special offer. Their valeting 'specialist' sprayed the stuff over everything, including the brake discs & pads 
I very nearly crashed just riding out of the workshop, as I had zero brakes! The engine/exhaust smoked for half an hour, & the brakes only started to work again after continuous use over 20 odd miles. Good stuff, but only in the right hands.....
I very nearly crashed just riding out of the workshop, as I had zero brakes! The engine/exhaust smoked for half an hour, & the brakes only started to work again after continuous use over 20 odd miles. Good stuff, but only in the right hands.....Thanks all - everything is very useful, including All Year Biker. Weekend plans meant I didn't get a chance to have a look at it yet, but will be trying it out this weekend coming.
Basically cold clean bike, warm can, and apply to everything metal but sparingly. Avoid brakes and tyres, and limit the amount on the exhaust.
Basically cold clean bike, warm can, and apply to everything metal but sparingly. Avoid brakes and tyres, and limit the amount on the exhaust.
LemonParty said:
Thanks all - everything is very useful, including All Year Biker. Weekend plans meant I didn't get a chance to have a look at it yet, but will be trying it out this weekend coming.
Basically cold clean bike, warm can, and apply to everything metal but sparingly. Avoid brakes and tyres, and limit the amount on the exhaust.
Sounds like you've got it. You need a lot less than you think though. You're after a thin film. I tend to use a paint brush and then a rag to wipe the excess off. I only spray in the hard to reach places. It's worth spending a bit of time on the project as that'll then be it over the winter. So it saves a lot of time in the end. Basically cold clean bike, warm can, and apply to everything metal but sparingly. Avoid brakes and tyres, and limit the amount on the exhaust.
Did mine at the weekend, took a few years to trust the stuff is working as it won't get washed now till March. Bike will get properly filthy as the ACF50 does attract the dirt. You've just got to believe it's all protected underneath. My old GS looked like it'd gone round the world twice without being washed. Come spring it came up like new.
Getting it all off once the salt has finished is time consuming as well. I tend to use WD40 to shift the ACF50 then a good wash with car soap to get shot of the WD40.
Edited by Harry H on Monday 20th November 10:27
I've just invested in a small spray gun and compressor. A light film and then run the bike up a little to let it "creep" if it's cold.
I wipe the wheels down again every few weeks and occasionally if I get caught in full on rain.
If you get salt on it, you can rinse it off with a hose (so the AYB guy told me).
I had it done last year by them, excellent service and the bike came out shiny come March and April.
SDOC1000 (or something like that) removes the ACF-50 easily come wash time. Spray it on, leave it for 20 min then brush it down and rinse off.
I wipe the wheels down again every few weeks and occasionally if I get caught in full on rain.
If you get salt on it, you can rinse it off with a hose (so the AYB guy told me).
I had it done last year by them, excellent service and the bike came out shiny come March and April.
SDOC1000 (or something like that) removes the ACF-50 easily come wash time. Spray it on, leave it for 20 min then brush it down and rinse off.
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