Putoline PPF-52... Corrosion X.... Viable ACF50 alternatives?

[Fuzzy]

Have just run out of acf-50, the aerosol type, and have been meaning to buy the pump spray and big bottle type for ages. However, I've been too lazy and tight so I had a rummage to see what else I had and found a can of Putoline PPF-52 corrosion inhibitor. Supposed to do the same job as acf50 and the like.

Have to say, I've been really impressed. Whether it is as effective as acf-50 long term I do not know but, it is an absolute breeze to spray on (ie. doesn't dribble and spit like acf50 cans) and the bike looks a lot better for it. I might try this instead for a bit - although I'll keep some acf at bay just in case.

Got me thinking, acf has a great reputation and it certainly has worked for me over the years. But it does attract crap and is a royal mess to apply, not to mention expensive. Might be time to try something else?

Has anybody heard about Corrosion X? A similar product designed for aeronautical application but apparently meets US military standards that commercially available Acf does not.

Or maybe there is another product out there that trumps them all, I'm all ears.

[stevierst]

I've used waxoyl on the underside of my fuel tanks,and in the 'creases' of my framework for years. Never had a corrosion problem. The stuff looks a bit naff, but does it's job very well!

The 5 litre can I had lasted for about 20 years using it on my bikes!

[Lez72]

I generally find GT85 to be pretty useful when cleaning the bike. the more you use it, the more corrosion inhibiting protection it gives. Its nowhere near as clingy as ACF50 which I also use when the pocket allows but in comparison, GT85 can be bought in bulk from Ebay for about £3 a tin (aerosol). A tin will last me about 3 bike cleans which means £1 a go.

[Fuzzy]

The stuff looks a bit naff, but does it's job very well!

Re: Waxoyl, I've never used this but I know it's popular with car owners, but not so much with motorcycle owners for some reason. When you say it looks naff, in what way, what does it look like?

I generally find GT85 to be pretty useful when cleaning the bike.

+1 GT85 is great for cleaning, I buy in bulk like you and it's great value. It does seem to burn off/vanish quite quickly though.


I know there are loads of posts about acf50, WD40, GT85 already so not going to harp on about them. Am impressed by the Putoline stuff so will trial it this winter to see if any good. Its about £10 a can and you can practically spray the whole bike incl bodywork (but obs excl brakes, tyres, grips etc), it looks great afterwards. Corrosion X seems like a product that could be superior to acf but is around £18 for a 500ml can.

[Dead Eye]

The only Waxoyl stuff I've seen is like a thick black tar that coats the underside of a car to protect the metal work from all the crap on the road - had this done on my old MkII Golf. Looking in to doing it myself on my current car as its beginning to get a little bit of surface rust on the floor plans.

If its the same stuff, I can't see it being used on a bike really - they may well do some other products suitable though since it is a brand, right?

[Hedgetrimmer]

On the subject of anti-corrosion protection, I used something on the body of the turbo unit on my old Kwak. It came in a plastic bottle, about a litre. It was a thin-ish liquid, blue-ish white in colour, which I painted on the casing with a brush. It dried to a glossy blue-black colour and went hard as nails. The turbo body was cast iron, and so always was coated in a layer of rust (not a problem because of the thickness of the case, but unsightly) and very thick - had to be like armour to withstand temp (turbos glow bright red hot in use) and potential failures (spinning at speeds of up to 200,000rpm a failed turbo impeller could do a lot of damage). This coating I used was very durable - in fact I saw no signs of any kind of deterioration for the rest of the time I had the bike, and the unit was positioned where it caught a lot of road crap. I thought it might be the ideal stuff to coat the EXUP part of the exhaust on the gen 1 , but can't for the life of me remember exactly what the product was. Sound familiar to anyone?

[wezdavo]

I use GT85, never had any problems with rust, once I have washed the bike I give it a quick spray...

I use the pump bottle not the aerosol..

[stevierst]

Re: Waxoyl, I've never used this but I know it's popular with car owners, but not so much with motorcycle owners for some reason. When you say it looks naff, in what way, what does it look like?

The waxoyl that I used was like a sloppy thin grease that dries into a thin film on the bike. It's a bit thicker than ACF50, just looks a bit dull and 'preserved'. I only used it on the underside of my fuel tanks, and on the inside of the frame. Basically anywhere that I didn't go to on a regular basis. I never saw any rot wherever I put it, and didn't really have to reapply it.

Put it this way, it was on the underside of my R1 fuel tank for nearly 7 years, and I didn't touch it!!

The thick black stuff that Deadeye is talking about is the waxoyl underseal you plaster all over the floorplan of cars. It's mingin stuff almost like tar!

[Fuzzy]

Ah right, that's good to know as I was thinking of the same stuff as Deadeye. Will have a closer look next time i'm in halfords.

[mickvp]

another alternative is Bilt Hamber hydrate. Although Ive never tried it personally bilt hamber hydrate (rust prevention) and deox gel (rust removal) are both highly regarded on Detailing World.

http://www.bilthamber.com/corrosion-treatments/hydrate-80

[Dead Eye]

On the subject of anti-corrosion protection, I used something on the body of the turbo unit on my old Kwak. It came in a plastic bottle, about a litre. It was a thin-ish liquid, blue-ish white in colour, which I painted on the casing with a brush. It dried to a glossy blue-black colour and went hard as nails. The turbo body was cast iron, and so always was coated in a layer of rust (not a problem because of the thickness of the case, but unsightly) and very thick - had to be like armour to withstand temp (turbos glow bright red hot in use) and potential failures (spinning at speeds of up to 200,000rpm a failed turbo impeller could do a lot of damage). This coating I used was very durable - in fact I saw no signs of any kind of deterioration for the rest of the time I had the bike, and the unit was positioned where it caught a lot of road crap. I thought it might be the ideal stuff to coat the EXUP part of the exhaust on the gen 1 , but can't for the life of me remember exactly what the product was. Sound familiar to anyone?

Sounds like Kurust to me - can get in Halfords. I bought some for my old Mk2 Golf... but that had a bit tooo much rust to cure

[richfzs]

Just came across this on another forum...

Out of interest:  someone sent me this link...

http://f2mcltd.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/winter-salt-protection-acf50-fs365-or.html

A semi-scientific comparison of ACF50 and other products.  Quite interesting.....

[Fuzzy]

Thanks for the link. Used to use f365 and never rated it, glad the test comes to the same conclusion