Rusty Flange!

[yoyo]

So this is one for the clean freaks and detailers out there.

As we've gone back into lockdown and the bike isn't going to be used for a bit I'm going to change the coolant and paint the rusty coolant pipe. I've polished the headers but the flanges that bolt the headers on look awful.

What can I do with them? Do I take the headers off and clean the flanges as best I can and paint them or are there other options?

Cheers.

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[gunslinger_006]

So this is one for the clean freaks and detailers out there.

As we've gone back into lockdown and the bike isn't going to be used for a bit I'm going to change the coolant and paint the rusty coolant pipe. I've polished the headers but the flanges that bolt the headers on look awful.

What can I do with them? Do I take the headers off and clean the flanges as best I can and paint them or are there other options?

Cheers.

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My flanges and bolts somehow got sprayed with salt last winter and developed surface rust. I sprayed them with ACF50 multiple times over the course of a day, and each time before the next application i took a stainless steel brush to the surface (not the headers, just the flanges and bolts).

Then i went about cooking it off the surface. I gave the bolts and flanges a wipedown with the same ACF50 and went for a short ride and let it cook off as the headers heated up.

A few rounds of that and they look great. No more surface rust, and they have a nice patina from the acf cooking off that helps to seal the surface.


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[gunslinger_006]

Gotta be some parrafin in that acf, cause it smells like melting crayons when you get it hot.


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[yoyo]

Thanks for that Gunslinger, I'm a fan of ACF50 but I've clearly not put enough on the flanges, I'll give your idea a go, I've got a selection of Dremel fitting wire brushes which should be small enough to clean off the rust without touching the headers

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[StefanOnHisS10]

Anyone care to add some pictures, haven’t got a clue what the “problem” is and what the ACF (of what I hear good things on this forum) makes out of it.

Stefan.

 

[yoyo]

Hi Stefan, the issue is the flanges that bolt the header pipes to the engine are mild steel and mine were particularly rusty, they were made to look even worse now I've cleaned the headers. Sadly I've already started to clean the surface rust off so can't take a before pic. I'll upload a pic in a bit, so you can see what I'm up against.

Cheers, Ade

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[gunslinger_006]

Anyone care to add some pictures, haven’t got a clue what the “problem” is and what the ACF (of what I hear good things on this forum) makes out of it.

Stefan.

Sure.

Acf 50 is an anti rust product similar to wd40 but better in every way in my humble opinion.

Lear Chemical Research Corporation

Lear Chemical Research developing and compounding anti corrosion lubricants and greases, ACF-50, Corrosion Block, Corrosion Block Grease, Rust Block, effectively solving corrosion related problems in the Automotive, Aviation, Industrial, Marine, Motorcycle and Recreational industries.

learchem.com

Ill take some pics of my headers soon, they are cleaned up now though.


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[yoyo]

I've started polishing the header pipe but as yiu can see the flange looks a bit naff. Ignore the grey primer, the cross brace also needs some attention.

Being as we are in lockdown for a few weeks I think I'll drop the headers to get good access to the flanges to give them a good clean back before ACF50.

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[gunslinger_006]

Mine was not quite that bad. But if i had not treated it early, it could have become that way.


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[StefanOnHisS10]

Mine are much worse! I’ll upload a pic in a moment. We live in a wet climate, relatively high humidity. Doubt if the ACF can adres that, I’ll see if it is available in the Netherlands. Am willing to give it an honest chance on a lot of things. Can it be used over paint, like a car? I usually put a glasscoating over my both cars before autumn falls. Thanks for the explanation guys.

Stefan

 

[yoyo]

For anyone that doesn't know what ACF50 does this link pretty much covers it all.

ACF50 application centre

We are now accredited ACF50 applicators. ACF-50 (Anti-Corrosion Formula) was originally designed to protect aircraft from existing and new corrosion and is now available to motorcyclists. Aviation products have to meet rigorously high standards and ACF-50 not only meets these but has been...

www.cdscooters.com

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[yoyo]

Mine are much worse! I’ll upload a pic in a moment. We live in a wet climate, relatively high humidity. Doubt if the ACF can adres that, I’ll see if it is available in the Netherlands. Am willing to give it an honest chance on a lot of things. Can it be used over paint, like a car? I usually put a glasscoating over my both cars before autumn falls. Thanks for the explanation guys.

Stefan

Acf50 works well on uncoated metal as well as painted surfaces (don't get it on your brakes). It's not cheap and it does leave an oily film so it wouldn't be practical for a car, for that I'd look at a ceramic coating instead.

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[StefanOnHisS10]

Dang that stuff is expensive, about €16 for one 400ml spray can. Looking out for a discount. Checking out the links you send and some other Dutch forums it looks like people are very satisfied. Thanks for all the info guys.
Stefan

 

[yoyo]

Its worth buying the 1L bottle, it really goes a long way, the last bottle I had lasted 4yrs! It comes with a pump bottle but if you have access to an air compressor its the best way to apply it.

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[Boris]

I purchased a tin of ACF50 when I first got my Super Tenere in 2016. I coat the bike once a year and still have a couple of years left in the can. My bike still cleans up like new.

For most parts I apply from a small microfibre cloth which has been sprayed with the product, never directly from the can. 30 minutes later I wipe over with a clear MF cloth. I use on the tank, including under the trim, frame, forks, shaft, calipers, engine covers, clocks, nuts/bolts/screws etc, Hard to reach places I use a brush. After application I tie the applicators up in a plastic bag to use next time.

Obviously avoid brake friction parts and tyres.

 

[Tenman]

I put acf on with a paint brush and blast it with an air hose

 

[James Phillips]

I have applied ACF50 with an air compressor and it is much better than using any other method, in my experience.

However this stuff is supposed to be even better than ACF50.

XCP Rust Blocker CLEAR COAT Aerosol - 400ml - [XC-XCPRBCC400EN01]

TSSC Product XCP Rust Blocker CLEAR COAT Aerosol - 400ml - [XC-XCPRBCC400EN01]

www.thesafetysupplycompany.co.uk

 

[StefanOnHisS10]

Allright allright I ordered a liter of ACF50. Y’all talked me into it, just kidding. Been researching the product and looks legit. I’ll be using it for my motorcycle of course and my wife’s electric bike. She rides through the road salt and what else Mother Nature can throw at her.

 

[yoyo]

Well done! Try spraying it from the pump bottle cold and then try it after the bottle has been sitting in hot water for 10 mins, it makes such a difference!

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