ACF-50 or Scottoiler FS 365?

[NJD]

So, this post got me thinking about last winter and how I used my bike throughout the most part of it (when commuting was required and safe to do so) and didn't do any winter prep.. result was an electrical fault and a corroded clutch (post winter).

Now, we're a few months away, well the weathers not to bad where I am anyhow, but I'd rather prepare ahead of time than let my bike being to fall apart a little more before I do something about it.

I have a can of ACF-50 aerosol that sat unused through the whole of last winter and has done ever since, i'm not sure if it's ACF-50 in general that I dislike or the aerosol version (as I haven't had any other form it comes in) but wondered if scottoiler FS 365 was any easier to use and remove?

I'm aware that both are applied after washing the bike, I watched this video on how to apply scottoiler FS 365 and looks like it's a whole bunch easier to remove and far less hastle (just washes off, read that ACF-50 is a b***h to remove).

Again i'm not if it's because I have the aerosol verison of ACF-50 but there's a niggle inside of me that likes the idea of scottoiler FS 365 more.

So, ACF-50 or Scottoiler FS 365?

[-Matt-]

ACF 50 everytime for me (not that i bothered with it the last winter due to not riding much). Never found it that bad to get off after winter to be honest. Just used degreasers and brushes to scrub crud off

[Beehive Bedlam]

I voted ACF 50 because it can be sprayed on and forgot about until spring unlike FS 365 which just washes off in the rain.

[NJD]

From what I've read it comes across that ACF-50 is the main anti-corrosion spray and is applied twice a year, once before winter after a deep clean and then once after winter to do the same again.

Scottoiler FS 365 seems to be water based meaning it comes off a whole bunch easier and needs to be applied a lot more, as a result is cheaper and from what I've read can last 2-3 months a bottle at 3 washes a week (based on one report).

I don't mind the idea of a thick coating of over the bike (after all, anything beats having to push it home because of an electrical fault or nursing a knackered clutch because no protection was applied at all.. as I discovered) i'd just be a bit cautions of allowing dirt and grime to sit on the bike for a few months.

I own a chinese bike.. last winter I just ended up hand washing the down-pipes and bottom of the bike after every ride, apart from a bit of rust on the head of the down-pipes and some part of the downpipe it's in good condition, only one engine nut that looks like it needs a clean and only a couple of cheap materials elsewhere that took a little bit of a bashing.

I like the idea of applying one coat of ACF-50 and then washing the down-pipes and bottom of the bike after every ride and re-applying a coat of Scottoiler FS 365 just as an extra precaution.

Since I don't like the aerosol can that I have of ACF-50 would it be a good or bad idea to brake the top of the bottle and then just pour it into an empty spray bottle (the type that Scottoiler FS 365 comes in)?

Tempted to visit the local paper shop, find any form of bottled spray, tip it down the drain, wash the bottle out and use it for ACF-50.

Also, would you spray ACF-50 on the top of the battery terminals as they're electrical connections or would coating the fairing protecting it be enough?

and what about the ignition and front end of the bike, I'd assume you'd avoid spraying on the seat, footpegs and grips as well as brake/clutch lever, so generally away from that area of the bike?

[-Matt-]

[chickenstrip]

I use ACF. I have heard of decanting into a spray bottle that atomises better (one guy I know of uses a perfume spray bottle), as the ACF aerosol isn't a great way to apply it, too much in too strong a jet. I just spray some onto a soft cloth and wipe everything over, then some into the cap and use a small paintbrush to apply to things like nuts, bolts, small brackets, awkward areas etc. Keep it away from brakes, tyres, and as you say, seat and footpeg rubbers. Fine for everything else.

How did not using an anti corrosion spray leave you with a knackered clutch?

Chinese bike you say? Can you keep it in an oxygen free environment?
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[Benjums]

I have found applying acf 50 to be better if you use a rag and a bit sprayed into the lid for the easier areas, for the harder to reach bits shake the can really well then turn it upside down and apply. It tends to come out in a mist that way instead of a jet, so is easier to control. cover the bottom of your bike in it and leave well alone. Yea ok wash exhaust areas that get hot after every ride if you want as acf or anything will just burn off.

[delsol]

I have not used Scotoiler FS 365, I have used other products, and this is 3rd year using ACF 50

On the basis that ACF 50 works better than the stuff I have previously tried, it gets my vote.

[DrSnoosnoo]

When I started riding, I bought myself some ACF-50, and didn't use it much at the start of my career. I used it last winter and it's great. Yeah your bike looks dirty but because it ISN'T water based, it doesn't just wash away in driving rain.

I bought one spray can 3 and a half years ago and I reckon there's still a third left. After a good bit of driving rain, I just shoot a touch around the nuts and bolts and metal bits.

£13 or so over 3 and a half years isn't too bad?
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[wr6133]

ACF50. It stays put so doesn't cost a fortune in reapplications. It's not hard to remove either unless your idea of cleaning the bike is spitting at it.

I don't buy the aerosol anymore. It's better value to buy the big bottle, which comes with a little spraybottle you fill up. I do 2 big cleans per year (start and end winter), the fairings, tank, etc come off and after cleaning the bike gets pretty much everything coated in ACF50. Fairing bolts, shifter linkage, etc may get occasional reapplications if the bike gets properly filthy and I clean the visible bits.

[Rogerborg]

[sidewinder]

Acf50 used here to.3 yrs and bike still pretty much rust free.looks a mess in spring but all nice again when washed of. If it good enough the U.S. Navy's fighters ...
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"Nitrous is like a cheap hooker, you want to hit it but are scared of the consequences

[doggone]

The squirting thing they supply with larger bottles of ACF isn't very good at fine sprays, I find it's better to use an empty kitchen cleaner spray bottle.
But if you take it back in the house don't get confused by what the label says.

[chickenstrip]

[Rogerborg]

Rusty POS is a made-in-India CBF.

[chickenstrip]

[NJD]

[Rogerborg]

[chickenstrip]

Yes, stay on topic

OP, buy ACF. Use it. Good stuff

Rogerborg, buy a Chinese bike, use ACF, do it!
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
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[NJD]

[Rogerborg]

[evilzed]

I've used ACF50 through winter on a couple of bikes, no rust. Applied with either brush/cloth/crappy spray bottle and later bikes using an air compressor which does a great job also take a look at this.

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

[Joncrete Cungle]

ACF 50 is the tool.
Don't make me act that mother funking fool.

[Ben90]

/thread
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