ACF 50 - Where to apply, and where not to.

[ChrisBiggsUK]

Evening all.

I have ordered myself a can of ACF 50, which will arrive tomorrow.  I know there are likely other products available, but as a newbie to all this, I wanted to go with a tried and true and popular option for my first attempt at preventative maintenance.

Now, I know I need to apply it to the un-painted metalwork on my bike, but my question is;  Do I apply it to every last bit of un-painted metalwork, including the chain and engine, or do I only apply it to areas such as the exhaust and wheels?  I've also read that if it gets on the tyres and other rubber bits that it isn't a problem at all, but is that actually the case?  As in, if my less-than-stellar manual dexterity sees me splash a load on to the side of a tyre, will that cause any damage to the rubber of the tyre, or is it perfectly safe (though obviously if I can avoid it, I should) to do so?

I'm obviously somewhat reticent to do anything to the bike (again, being the complete novice that I am and as can be gathered from my posts to date) so with this being the first thing I'm doing to it, I want to get it right.

Thank you in advance for any wisdom, insights, advice or guidance.

Oh, also, for applying it, is just spraying it on and leaving it fine? Should I use a cloth and wipe it on? If I should use a cloth, is a microfibre cloth best or just a bit of tatty old cotton bedsheet that I hope the wife won't notice me tearing up?  Do I need to leave the bike for a set amount of time after applying it or is it good to ride straight off the bat?  

I think I'm going to stop with the questions there for the time being.  Again, any wisdom that can be imparted would be most welcome!  

[rob m]

I applied it last week my bike, covering frame, bodywork, engine and basically anything that is exposed except brakes and tyres. You can cover anything with it. 

 

I used a microfibre cloth and sprayed the ACF50 onto the cloth then applied it carefully to the various parts of the bike.

 

Wheels and tyres were covered with black bin liners and gaffa tape. 

 

Just take your time would be my advice, you have all the time in the world to do it.

[Shepherd]

Stick the can in a jug of hot water for a few minutes before use, it'll give a better spray. 

Cover everything with it except brake discs, tyres, grips and seat. It won't hurt electrics, switches etc.

It will 'creep' into small areas, especially when warm - a little can go a long way. Wipe off excess from body panels etc and don't panic when you see it smoke off your exhaust headers and things.

[JRH]

I use my compressor and a spray gun. Set to fine mist and generally spay everything, except tyres and breaks. 

[onesea]

My usual bad advice...

It can go everywhere. And give it gentle wipe where you can reach.

 

Obviously avoid getting it on breaks and tyres but it will wear off. 

 

Just ride carefully, when I get it on brakes I ride with breaks on until I start to feel bite coming back normally takes minutes or 2.

 

Also be careful around micro switches, they can go sticky. 

 

It really does creep into corners.

 

First time you ride the bike will smoke and smell that's normal.

[Mickly]

I agree with all the above, I also decant some into an old mug and use a very small paint brush to apply it to hard to get to areas or places near the brakes.

[RideWithStyles]

The product is one of the best out there but it application isn’t the easiest, I found the can not much of a sprayer but more o

globs it out.

if so I used a normal painters brush, glibber on to the brush directly and spread/apply with it. Brush on , leave for a short bit then buff with a not very absorbing cloth.

 

as others say, put in on pretty much everything, if it does go somewhere not intended wipe off.

for key holes/slots and other things like that use gt85, great stuff.

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

You don't need to go mad with it. I soak a cloth in it and wipe over the parts I want to protect. Hard to reach parts can be sprayed but go lightly.  It seeps quite well. 

[husoi]

@RideWithStyles it gets easier if the product is warm/hot.

That makes it more fluid and easier to spray 

[manxie49]

If you have access to a compressor then it's happy days.  I put the oil into a paint sprayer, attach it to a compressor, adjust the nozzle to a fine mist and basically spray the whole bike, after masking off the wheels and brakes, and removing the seat and petrol tank.  Don't over spray or use too much oil.  Leave it for ten minutes to seep, then wipe it over with a micro-fibre cloth, and thats the bike done for winter.  I usually warm the oil first.  Doesn't take that long with a compressor, but the effort is well worth it.

[Fiddlesticks]

Def. warm the oil.

[Pie man]

You could always try this as an excellent alternative XCP Professional - Rust Blocker - SPORTSBIKESHOP 

The All Year Biker Guy who has treated my bikes for years recommended the XCP, he started using this on my bikes a couple of years ago, I just applied this on Sunday, it mist sprays straight out of the tin, unlike having to put the ACF spray in a bucket of warm water for half an hour. 

[RideWithStyles]

 

Most of my bikes have been around the 90-00s (still is) era of bikes plus the benelli 2019, so I’m no stranger to fending off and spotting early signs of corrosion or wear.

 

Yea acf used to be my favourite (far superior to Scott oilers version) and works really well and still would use it if I couldn’t get xcp but due to the prep, how it sits  be haves like a bad separation oil, does its thing and what knot mentioned before its good but….

I found xcp clear coat much better in pretty much every regard, bar i could see that if you was abit long sighted you might not notice where you’ve not applied it? So you could get the normal one which apparently has a slight yellow hue Compared to the coloured acf purple.

its a little more sophisticated or synthetic with the way it is- bit like the difference of gear oil and chain lube they both do the same job but different if you know what I mean.

so id still spray, brush into nocks and cranny’s and buff regardless.