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Best Corrosion inhibitor / rust preventative for new bike rust
I am just wondering what you guys recommend as a rust and corrosion inhibitor for spraying on either the entire bike, or specific areas like fasteners and bolt heads.
I have a brand new 22 RKS, I washed it a few times already since there may have been some residual dry salt dust on the roads from the winter. I used S100, rinsed, and then spray it down thoroughly with SALT AWAY.
I dry it off using an electric hand blower and compressed air. I even remove the bags after to assist in accessing areas.
I have noticed some orange/rusty water drip from the lower pinch bolts of the fork clamp, from the welded mounting area of the black VH torquer slip on, and most significantly, on the frame mounted front motor mount(photo below, not sure the technical term).
The motor mount sleeve is wide open in the front to allow water and debris to collect and nowhere to exit. I also noticed it is bare steel inside and not powder coated. So any water that collects in there becomes rust water and then when riding it leaks out and splashes all over engine.
On my truck,prior to every winter, I spray a combination of carwell cp90 and fluid film rust preventer and it has worked well, except it leaves a noticeable oily red coating on everything, which is fine for the undercarriage of a truck but not for the exterior of a Harley.
so it there anything you guys recommend? Should I just spray wd40 on any bolt heads and known corrosive areas after I wash the bike ?
this bike is garage kept 100% in a semi heated garage btw. I live 5 min from salt water. I find it hard to believe that the salt dust from Road has anything to do with this, especially since I thoroughly washed it with salt away 12 hrs later.
I appreciate your thoughts and opinions.
Last edited by aftershock00@msn.com; Mar 27, 2022 at 05:02 PM.
I use Corrosion-X on my truck and little boat trailer. As well Ive used it on a few small spots on my bike, like up the frame tubes. Seems to do a pretty good job thus far since Ive been using it a year or two now. I really hosed down my new coilover shocks on my truck before winter and even after following a salt truck in the rain ahead of a freeze and multiple snow events, there is zero corrosion on them and they look like new once washed off. Only down side is it will collect some dust. But it has great creep and gets into tight spots. Ive also used Fluid film, and I think the corrosion X does a better job and gets a better coverage. And it doesnt stink near as bad as fluid film.
I have been using the S100 Corrosion protection, seems to work pretty well. I spray the aluminum fins and other parts of the engine. So far, no oxidation on the aluminum parts or rust/corrosion on the chrome/metal parts. I wipe off any excess from spraying and keep sealer on the chrome after polishing.
I use Corrosion-X on my truck and little boat trailer. As well Ive used it on a few small spots on my bike, like up the frame tubes. Seems to do a pretty good job thus far since Ive been using it a year or two now. I really hosed down my new coilover shocks on my truck before winter and even after following a salt truck in the rain ahead of a freeze and multiple snow events, there is zero corrosion on them and they look like new once washed off. Only down side is it will collect some dust. But it has great creep and gets into tight spots. Ive also used Fluid film, and I think the corrosion X does a better job and gets a better coverage. And it doesnt stink near as bad as fluid film.
thanks for the recommendation. I will look into it even if I dont use it on the bike, maybe Ill try something new on the truck. I have ocd and couldnt decide between the thin CP90 and the thick / waxy fluid film. Since fluid film is too thick to spray, I mix the two products 50/50 and spray using an undercarriage sprayer. People think Im nuts, and maybe I am, but Im nuts with a rust free 2017 ram Cummins.
my bike is a road king special, so most parts are either black or coated with that Bed liner type coating. Im afraid of damaging these coatings in an attempt to protect the finish of other parts. Frustrating.
this bike is garage kept 100% in a semi heated garage btw. I live 5 min from salt water. I find it hard to believe that the salt dust from Road has anything to do with this, especially since I thoroughly washed it with salt away 12 hrs later.
I appreciate your thoughts and opinions.
Hard to believe it's the salt? Of course it's the salt.
Any marine grade products from a local boat supply is your best bet living that close to the water, salt air is going to get to it. Regular motorcycle products just ain't gonna cut it. Expect to be putting regular time, attention and lots of elbow grease in, there is no spray and forget magic something to do this for you.
I live in the San Fran Bay area, sea fog is real headache out here on the peninsula and in the city itself, done this dance.
I live at the beach and corrosion is a real issue. I use Salt Away before every wash and either ACF50 or Corrosion X. I try not to use the spray cans but I use the drop by drop applicators. Less messy
By the way, I used to apply salt away and rinse off with water, similar to what you would do with car wash soap. After contacting the company, I was advised NOT to wash it off. See below email from SALT AWAYHello Mike,
Thank you for your kind words about Salt-Away and also for contacting us regarding your concerns about using our products on your Harley Motorcycle.
Yes, it is safe to use our products on your entire motorcycle. Salt-Away is a water-based product and does not contain any harsh chemicals, acids, or toxic substances. We do not recommend rinsing our product off after it has been applied. Salt-Away has an excellent corrosion inhibitor which will continue to work in areas where it stays wetter longer. It will dry leaving no spots, streaks or residues.
If for some reason you would like to rinse Salt-Away off, it can be easily washed off with regular fresh water.
Attached are some documents that give detailed information about Salt-Away that may help you learn more about our products. For information regarding your application, please refer to the documents titled, Basic Information-Moving Salt Off Any Surfaceand How-To for Vehicles, Industrial Equipment.
Thanks again for contacting us, Mike. We appreciate your being our customer.
IMPORTANT: Salt-Away Products, Inc companys email addresses have changed to @saltaway.com. Please include this change in your records.
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Best Corrosion inhibitor / rust preventative for new bike rust
