Treating / Preventing Rust Inside of Frame

[CafeRacer]

Has anyone here attempted to use Rust Mort, Corrosion X or Ospho inside of the frame tubes?

When I got my Guzzi down to the frame (and leaned the frame over) a little bit of rusty water started dripping out.

Since the bike was sitting for over 20 years, I've used a center punch to make sure none of the frame tubes are rusted through. I drilled two small drain holes as well. The metal still looks thick.

Now that I have these holes, I'm temped to spray some kind of rust converter or inhibitor into the frame. Has anyone tried this?

[rufusswan]

Have use Phosphoric Acid on a few but I don't know how the it lasts. Have heard of folk spraying stuff inside every few years so it's easy to assume that some sort of treatment works. I wouldn't be against trying to pour a bit of paint inside the frame and sloshing around to make some type of permanent seal.

[robsmoto]

I periodically squirt WD-40 into frame openings. I don't do this on a particular schedule.

If I've ridden a steel framed bike in the rain I might remove the tank, seat, and what ever else that comes to mind and deliver a few WD-40 squirts here and there. I do this after getting cleaned up, dried off, and generally after the bike is cooled off - I keep my bikes in an attached (which means sorta heated) garage so I don't have to worry too much about condensation during the winter.

[anotherguy]

JP Weigle Frame Saver. A bicycle product however will do just what you want. Buy 2 cans. I use it and application to a heavy motorcycle frame will be quite a workout but it will work. As will Boeshield T-9. Boeshield T-9 is quite pricey but available in several different sizes and types. Any bike I have down to the frame gets a treatment.

[yokesman]

Look up the the treatment for tube frame light aircraft. I think most used a linseed based oil. As far as WD-40 goes it is nothing, a solvent and minerail oil mix-Water-Desperant-40th experiment for coating missels in the silos during the 50's' freezes-no basic lubrication qualities other than the petroleum solvent it contains-great for what it was made for.
rem oil- for firearms is a better choice, nor more money- for iron based parts.

[CafeRacer]

Originally Posted by yokesman

Look up the the treatment for tube frame light aircraft. I think most used a linseed based oil.

I'm told they do Rust Mort followed by compressed air to dry it. Then linseed oil on top of it.

Those tubes are thinner than ours though...

[supershaft]

I used to have a job restoring Monocoupes and Travel Air biplanes. Travel Air claimed that they used linseed oil on the inside of their tube fuselages. My main boss had about five original fuselages and my other boss had one. We could find no evidence on any of them that they in fact did it.

It would make for some sloppy welds if you ever added anything or had to make a repair.

[Brad Felmey]

Soak in acid (or white vinegar) then electroless nickel plating at least 1mil thick.

[wmax351]

I'd wonder about filling it with yellow expanding foam. Its a water activated reaction, so the tiny bit of water left would start it expanding. Do it through a tiny hole on a bare frame, and clean off wherever it squeezes out.

I did this to my center stand, after treating the inside with phosphoric acid.

[rpet]

expanding foam?!?


I vote for JP Weigle Frame Saver... quality product.

[Pez]

ACF-50

Used to spray this down the tunnel of my Bajaj Scooter (Old Vespa Sprint basically.) Works great

Low Down:



ACF-50, Anti-Corrosion Formula, is a state of the art, anti-corrosion/lubricant compound, that has been specifically designed for the Aerospace Industry. Itcan be described as an ultra thin fluid film compound which must be applied on an annual basis.

ACF-50 actively penetrates through the corrosion deposits to the base of the cell where it emulsifies and encapsulates the electrolyte, lifting it away from the metal surface.
ACF-50 then dispels this moisture and provides an atmospheric barrier which prevents any further moisture contact, thereby keeping the cell inactive. This compound continues to actively penetrate and "creep" into the tightest of seams, lap joints, micro cracks and around rivet heads, dissipating the moisture, even salt water, in these corrosion prone areas. These unique abilities of ACF-50 remain effective for 12 months, gradually disappearing as it is chemically consumed.


Edit: Forgot Link: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/acf50.php

[HapHazard]

Originally Posted by CafeRacer

When I got my Guzzi down to the frame (and leaned the frame over) a little bit of rusty water started dripping out.

I'm surprised that this could happen, although I'll admit to having close to no Guzzi experience.

Was this in the lower tubes that sweep beneath the motor? Is there a place under the steering head or someplace where water could enter? If so, drying the tube with compressed air and plugging it up - either by welding in a plug or even RTV should do the job, I'd think.

[jackd]

Originally Posted by Pez

ACF-50

Used to spray this down the tunnel of my Bajaj Scooter (Old Vespa Sprint basically.) Works great

Low Down:



ACF-50, Anti-Corrosion Formula, is a state of the art, anti-corrosion/lubricant compound, that has been specifically designed for the Aerospace Industry. Itcan be described as an ultra thin fluid film compound which must be applied on an annual basis.

ACF-50 actively penetrates through the corrosion deposits to the base of the cell where it emulsifies and encapsulates the electrolyte, lifting it away from the metal surface.
ACF-50 then dispels this moisture and provides an atmospheric barrier which prevents any further moisture contact, thereby keeping the cell inactive. This compound continues to actively penetrate and "creep" into the tightest of seams, lap joints, micro cracks and around rivet heads, dissipating the moisture, even salt water, in these corrosion prone areas. These unique abilities of ACF-50 remain effective for 12 months, gradually disappearing as it is chemically consumed.


Edit: Forgot Link: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/acf50.php

This is very good for corrrosion prevention - we use it on our airliners because the manufacturers specify it as an approved product. It's probably available from many suppliers - we buy it by the case.

[It'sNotTheBike]

Boeshield is similar to ACF-50, and can be easier to find locally, because it is often sold in marine
supply stores.

http://boeshield.com/


WD-40 was meant to displace water ( that's what the "WD" stands for )
in missile silos but it doesn't have the staying power of ACF-50 and Boeshield, which
are far better choices for prevention of corrosion in a steel frame.

Speaking of missile silos, I once knew a girl who had worked in one of those silos,
when she was in the military. She was relieved of that duty when THC was detected in her blood.
For some reason, the military didn't want those responsible for missile launches to be stoned :-)

[jackd]

We used to use WD40 on float planes back in the '80s. Being on the west coast we had lots of salt water laying in the bellies and floats to contend with. I still remember spraying that stuff in and watching it encase the salt water droplets up against the aircraft structure. My view was that it actually promoted corrosion.