Winter is a cummin

[a101960]

In preparation for winter, I have been giving my RGS a thorough clean. I have given all the paint work a good wax polishing, lubed all the cables, and the chain etc. All of this is obviously in addition to the routine cleaning and maintenance  that I carry out all year long. Now, what I want to know is this. Do any of you use ACF 50? I have read so many good things about this product. I am not expecting it to be miraculous (although many people make claims that border on attributing  divine properties to it). Anyway I have treated all the shiny parts with ACF50 that is to say all the chrome plated parts, tank panels, chain guard, mudguards, and so on. What I am unsure about is items like the exhaust pipes, the silencer, and the polished  castings. The timing cover, the primary chain cover, and the gearbox for example. If I treat these items with a coating of AFC 50 will it be safe to start the engine? If there are any mild days during the winter months, and the roads are free of salt I do like to take the bike out for a run. It is good for the bike, and it is good for me. Obviously what I am concerned about is the possibility that AFC 50 will burn itself into the plating in the same way that oil and grease will on hot parts if it is not removed before running the engine. Has anyone had any experience of a bike that has been treated with ACF 50? I have read in reviews of the product that people do apply ACF 50 and run their bikes all through the winter months specifically to protect their bikes from all the rigours of winter riding and that in the spring it is washed off and everything is in pristine condition. However, what I am not sure about is whether this includes treating the bits that are likely to get hot. I would be very interested to read your comments and know what your experiences have been. That is the trouble with an RGS. With all the shiny bits, it looks beautiful when it is pristine, but without constant attention it can get to look quite tatty very quickly!

John

[Topdad]

John, I was given a small tube of this stuff by a dealer who sells it close by our office, I've had it 3 yrs and use it on my chrome guards etc with excellent results it lasts all winter and although expensive would say it's worth it as long as you don't spill it. Think you can get a spray can as well . Was told it was developed to stopp corrosion on US war planes, but can't confirm that, regards BobH.

[roadrocket.chris]

i use it on my rocket and my son uses it on his rgv good stuff.

[Greybeard]

I have an aerosol of ACF50. I used it to protect my bike while it was laid up over last winter and I'll be doing the same this time *.
I didn't see any ill effects from ACF50 being on the exhausts or engine covers when I started the engine.
You could test the effects of heating ACF50 by spraying something inexpensive and chromed and then heat it in an oven or gas flame.


* I also had a cover over the bike with a small tubular heater under it.

[WozzA]

Summer is a commin here...      the rebuild is almost complete. Time to get her OUT of the shed.

[Greybeard]

Lucky you WozzA! Bike looks great.

[Topdad]

Looking good Wozza , enjoy,  by the way how do find the ariel type front stopper? Always look so nice  ( lot of polishing ) but mine wasn't wonderful , regards BobH.

[WozzA]

Thanks guys...  eMail sent Bob...  getting off track here..     sorry..

[Jules]

interesting thread this, thanks for starting it John. I've never heard of this product before but having researched their website it sounds very good. Not sure I understand the uses of the other products though which sound similar ie Corrosion block/Rust block, has anybody used them with good outcomes? where/when do you use each of the products?
I'm keen to look into them because as well as the BSA restoration I'm also doing a car resto., its about to get painted so do you know how these products manage on fresh paint? cheers

[a101960]

Jules, I have only just learned about this product, and therefore I do not have a great deal of knowledge about it. However, it does have a military approval specification (MIL-SPEC 81309 types II and III) and it has also been allocated a NATO stock number 8030-01-438-4079 which means that it is used by all NATO member countries armed forces. That in its self is a pretty good indicator of how well it works. I have not been able to find any information relating to how ACF50 behaves with new paint, but ACF50 can be used to rejuvinate plastics that have faded. Here in the UK there is a product called Waxoyl http://www.hammerite-automotive.com/waxoyl.htm I have used this product in the past when I rebuilt a BMC Mini Cooper 1275 S. I sprayed it inside all the box sections and other cavities and it worked very well. To return to the subject of ACF50, I have now treated my RGS, and I have now learned that it can be applied to the exhaust pipes, silencer and engine without causing problems. It does apparently give off a cloud of white smoke when the engine is first started up, but it does not burn in or cause any staining. Thanks to everyone that has contributed to this topic. I will let you know next spring how well the AFC50 has done in protecting the bright work on the bike.
John