Controlling Corrosion
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: ca
Controlling Corrosion
Looking for suggestion, I am moving from the Mojave Desert of CA, to the the Gulf of TX and will only be 100 yards from the ocean. I know the salt air and water is going to cause corrosion in the bikes. Any suggestions to help prevent or limit this other than washing the bikes everyday?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,934
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From: coastal sc
It is not as bad as u think. Big deal is keeping it inside, away from salt mist on those windy days. I keep mine in the garage and don't have any issues. I do keep it waxed and clean. I don't wash it that often. I do wash it if I get caught in the rain.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
I guarantee washing ever day is the last thing you want to do.
I have only washed mine a few times in all these years. And then only because it was covered in mud and grime. Then, it's in the sun and I use a leaf blower on it.
I avoid ridding in the ran but have came home dozens of times wet. I towel it off. More to clean it then anything else.
I live on a saltwater creek off the Chesapeake bay. I just caught a 36" striper 20 foot behind my signature picture. And something is messing with my bullhead creek minnow right now.
I use widex and Johnson's wax.
I have only washed mine a few times in all these years. And then only because it was covered in mud and grime. Then, it's in the sun and I use a leaf blower on it.
I avoid ridding in the ran but have came home dozens of times wet. I towel it off. More to clean it then anything else.
I live on a saltwater creek off the Chesapeake bay. I just caught a 36" striper 20 foot behind my signature picture. And something is messing with my bullhead creek minnow right now.
I use widex and Johnson's wax.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Nov 26, 2020 at 02:59 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
As mentioned, it's not that bad. I live in Houston and my bike spends the day outside close to the ship channel. I use the bike daily to commute and I do little to maintain the appearance. I can't remember the last time I washed it. Over the last 14 years it has spent almost every day and many a night at my office near the channel and all the chemical plants.
I do find it interesting the places that rust has appeared. The heat shields on the pipes rusted from the inside out. I believe it started with the hose clamp holding it to the pipe. I have a few allen head bolts that have rust inside the allen head and it's only on one's I have removed and put back. The one's I haven't touched are still fine. Same with the acorn nuts on the windshield ( Road King). Others on the bike I haven't touched are fine.
I take very good care of the bike mechanically but I hate washing it and rarely do. My Indy has washed it more than I have when it has been there for tires. Considering how poorly I have treated it cosmetically, it's still not that bad. A few hours with some soap and polish and it would look great.
I have read here that someone puts some clear nail polish in the allen heads to seal them. Something you might consider. I also hear waxing it occasionally works pretty good too but I wouldn't know
Welcome to Texas!!! Our coast may not be as pretty as California's but the people are nicer and no state income tax. You'll love it here. Please leave Texas the way it is and not try to turn it into California.
I do find it interesting the places that rust has appeared. The heat shields on the pipes rusted from the inside out. I believe it started with the hose clamp holding it to the pipe. I have a few allen head bolts that have rust inside the allen head and it's only on one's I have removed and put back. The one's I haven't touched are still fine. Same with the acorn nuts on the windshield ( Road King). Others on the bike I haven't touched are fine.
I take very good care of the bike mechanically but I hate washing it and rarely do. My Indy has washed it more than I have when it has been there for tires. Considering how poorly I have treated it cosmetically, it's still not that bad. A few hours with some soap and polish and it would look great.
I have read here that someone puts some clear nail polish in the allen heads to seal them. Something you might consider. I also hear waxing it occasionally works pretty good too but I wouldn't know
Welcome to Texas!!! Our coast may not be as pretty as California's but the people are nicer and no state income tax. You'll love it here. Please leave Texas the way it is and not try to turn it into California.
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Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
I think you'll be worried more about going from hot and dry to hot and humid in the summer months. I use to live in Thousand Oaks and worked in Ventura and had no issues, and now in NC. As mentioned keep it clean and waxed.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: USA
Well, having lived on the sea, Ill disagree with those who say its no big deal and not to wash salt off.
But, spray and wind direction really matter. Ive been in places where the ocean was rough and the winds constant and strong. Those areas downwind had a lot of salt buildup on everything, so corrosion was a heck of a problem. That could be up to a hood half mile away from the ocean.
Conversely, areas where the salt water just gently lapped the rocks or beach. There, it was more an irritant. Even negligible a mere 100 feet away.
Of course if storms blew up, and washed your toys with salt water waves, that was devastatingly corrosive.
As I vaguely recall, the wave action there is typically pretty mild, except when the storms roll in. So at 100 yards distant, salt water flooding is more likely to be s problem.
But, spray and wind direction really matter. Ive been in places where the ocean was rough and the winds constant and strong. Those areas downwind had a lot of salt buildup on everything, so corrosion was a heck of a problem. That could be up to a hood half mile away from the ocean.
Conversely, areas where the salt water just gently lapped the rocks or beach. There, it was more an irritant. Even negligible a mere 100 feet away.
Of course if storms blew up, and washed your toys with salt water waves, that was devastatingly corrosive.
As I vaguely recall, the wave action there is typically pretty mild, except when the storms roll in. So at 100 yards distant, salt water flooding is more likely to be s problem.
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Novice
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From: ca
EdwardK , Thats why we are leaving CA. where we are is very red but not big enough to matter in CA. You don't have to worry about us wanting to change anything, you are correct the people are great, food is good and yes no state tax helps on a retired income.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 673
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From: Alberta
What was bad from my experience was when I worked in Copper Cliff South Mine in the 70's near the INCO super stack in Copper Cliff (Sudbury, Ont.). The sulphur dioxide gas from the smelter was bad in lite rain the grooves in the chrome wheel would hold a little acid water and start corrosion. INCO would even pay for guys to get there cars repainted if they got the stack gas bad enough where they were (it was done on the QT).
My good friend who died last July from lung problems did about 40 years of mining in that area. Too much smoke, dust and gas will corrode the body as well.
My good friend who died last July from lung problems did about 40 years of mining in that area. Too much smoke, dust and gas will corrode the body as well.