It is the nature of refined metals to return to their most stable form, that of a metallic oxide. The rate at which metals corrode depends upon their environmental conditions. Metals exposed to salt solution, moisture, and tropical temperatures have the highest rates of corrosion. 2/ ACF-50 Kills Corrosion On Contact. ACF-50 is a state-of-the-art anti-corrosion/lubricating compound that has been specially designed for aviation and aerospace use. It is a clean, clear, non-toxic, ultra-thin fluid compound which leaves a non-greasy atmospheric barrier to protectACF-50 will kill corrosion cells on contact and completely remove the moisture fromIt actively penetrates into seams, lap joints and even beneath rivet heads, expelling moisture and saline solutions (salt water). ACF-50, with a dielectric rating of almost 40KV, can be used to great effect on all your electrical connections too. It will not only ensure a water proof seal, but stop the dread green coating often seen in plugs and sockets.

In addition, it can be used on all types of plastics, paints and seals without fearOf course the upside for us motorcyclists is that it works as well on our bikes as it does on aircraft !I’d rather be riding my motorcycle than washing it, but after a long weekend of riding, it can be fun bringing it back to showroom quality and a great way to while away a couple of hours in the company of your best friend – your bike. We have updated our popular tips with some from readers. Do you have more tips? Please add them in the “Leave a reply” section at the end of the article. Remove tank bags, luggage and any accessories you don’t want to get wet such as a GPS. Also, get all your washing and cleaning products ready. You’ll need a bucket, soap or liquid detergent, bug and tar remover, degreaser and/or engine cleaner, a toothbrush, WD40, a brush for wheel cleaning, tyre cleaner, paint polish, metal polish, at least two micro fibre rags, 100% cotton sponges, a variety of soft cotton or microfibre towels, abrasive rags and a chamois for drying.

Stay away from commercial washing facilities and do it yourself. Don’t do it on the street or in a unit driveway as it’s dangerous. Also, never wash straight after a long ride. Give the bike time to cool down, because you don’t want to spray cold water on a hot engine. Also, avoid washing in the middle of the day or in direct sun as it can dry detergents on the bike’s surface before you can rinse them off, leaving streaks. Contaminants in water, such as mineral deposits, also become much more aggressive when warm and, if water is sprayed on a hot bike, those water spots are more difficult to remove. If you are a bit of a greenie, wash on your lawn to water your grass and prevent precious water, harmful detergents and pollutant grease from running into storm water drains. This is a bit of a balancing act. Frequent washing will alert you early to any developing problems such as oil or fluid leaks, loose or damaged parts etc. Leaving squashed bugs on your paintwork makes them difficult to remove later and can leave behind a blemish.

Also, squashed bugs in your radiator can cause overheating problems. However, if you wash too often, you can displace lubricants from cables and exposed grease points on old engines. If you’ve come back from the bush and your adventure bike is caked in mud, you will need a full wash straight away. triumph motorcycles for sale phoenix azIf you’ve just had a short jaunt up to your favourite mountain cafe, then your bike might just need a gentle wipe over with some windscreen or bodywork spray and a soft cloth.dirt bikes for sale nashville tn Don’t use a lot of water. honda motorcycles for sale in lubbockUse the right cleaning product for the job. used motorcycles for sale near hickory nc

There is a product for every use. But be careful of abrasive cleaners or general-purpose household cleaning products as these can damage paint or chrome. Detergents should have a pH balance between six and eight, so it’s neither too acidic nor too alkaline as either could damage your paint. used harley crossbones saleCheck it’s safe to use on all paint types. florida motorcycle helmet law 2012Don’t use vinyl cleaners on the seat as it may look shiny but it will be slippery. motorcycle parts olatheIf you are using any harsh compounds to tackle tough jobs you should probably think about wearing rubber gloves. It can be effective in removing caked-on mud and tough grime, but it can also force water into electrics and crevices where it can pool and cause corrosion or, at least, degreasing of vital parts.

If using a high-pressure cleaner, keep it away from the instruments, electronics, chain, brakes and vinyl seats which can be ripped by pressurised water. Concentrate on wheels and bodywork. Pressure cleaners will do a good job of cleaning mud off a chain, but you will have to re-grease the chain afterwards. (When applying chain lube use only enough to do the job. Excess lube flings off on to your wheels.) If you do use a pressure cleaner, use a domestic unit like the Karcher K2.180 (read my review here) that isn’t too powerful. It can also be environmental as they often use less water. Have separate cleaning rags and sponges for different areas. Don’t use a sponge to clean grease off the wheels then attack the seat with the same sponge as you will leave grease on your seat. There is a wide variety of modern cleaning equipment available. Microfibre cloths are particularly effective while also protecting surfaces. However, don’t dismiss the effectiveness of an old toothbrush for getting grit and grime out of hard-to reach areas such as radiators or for cleaning laced wheels.

You can also use finest-grade steel wool to remove burnt-on grease and grime from chrome exhaust pipes. Test it first underneath the pipe where it can’t be seen to check whether it leaves fine swirls as some pipes are not well chromed. You can also use plastic scourer as used on kitchen pots, or a brass wire brush as brass is softer metal and won’t scratch, Follow up with metal polish. This makes the difference between a clean bike and concours standard. When you’ve finished washing and polishing, spend time going over the bike one more time with a micro fibre cloth. Wipe the cables, clean the engine casings, rub the wheel hubs and lie down on the ground to see if you’ve missed any areas. If you are entering a concours, judges will often wipe their fingers under the bike looking for grease and grime. Only you use tyre shine on the tyre walls if you are entering a show and shine and not riding, otherwise overspray can reach the tread area and adversely affect grip. Don’t use cutting compounds as they leave permanent swirls in the paintwork.

Use a soft wax that adds a layer, rather than takes a layer off. Some modern bikes are actually covered in a layer of plastic or lacquer that can easily be damaged. Trial the product on a discrete area first then look at it in direct sunlight to see if it leaves swirls. Good quality wax will act as a sunscreen, leaving a UV barrier to protect your paint. Wax needs to be reapplied regularly to provide this protection. Put the polish on a clean rag, not directly on the bodywork. When dry, buff off the wax with a lint-free cloth. WD40 is great for getting rid of excess water as well as gently removing built-up grease. Therefore, you shouldn’t spray it where there is essential grease such as around the wheel axles as it will dilute the grease. WD stands for water displacement which is what it does. However, it’s not a great lubricant, so buy some silicon or oil and spray the cables, hinges and levers that might have lost some lubrication in the wash. Use wax spray or dedicated chain lube to coat the chain and always follow the instructions on the can.