Topic: Easy Rust Prevention Ideas?

[Gibbit]

I'm looking for some easy rust prevention ideas.  My CB350F unfortunatly sits outside all year long.  I don't have a garage to keep it in at the moment although it does sit underneath an overhang attached to my shed so it doesn't get directly rained on at all.  But living in the southern heat and humidity, it doesn't take long for parts to start showing signs of rust even without direct contact with rain/water.

For example, I have a set of the 11" chrome shorty shocks on my CB350F that I put on a few years ago.  It didn't take long for them to start developing rust spots on the cheap chrome.  I just recently purchased a new set of rear shocks that are a little closer to stock length and I'll be putting those on soon.  They are the same cheap brand as the shortlys, but will get the job done until I decide to go with some Hagons or whatever else down the road.  I want to prevent these from rusting up just like the shortys did (in addition to other chome on the bike too of course).  I know there are chrome polishes out there and easy ways to remove rust, but you can imagine that on springs it would be a little tough to polish and reach all the areas in and around the springs. 

I'm curious if there are any simple options to prevent rust before it starts.  For exmaple, can I just mist some WD40 over the springs/chrome and lightly wipe off the excess?  Would this sort of prevent rust for 3-6 months or so and repeat evey once in a while?  Or would the WD just wash right off or not help at all?  I know wax can help prevent rust also, but again it would be hard to get in those tight spots on springs for example.  Is there maybe some brand of "spray on" wax?

[Sniper X]

I use WD40. WD in WD40 stands for water displacement...yeah now you KNOW! Anywho, wash the bike and dry it thoroughly, get a BIG can of WD40, the one with the fogger looking nozzle on it and spray a light coating over ALL the exposed metal parts. Even on the frame and bolts ans such. Just try to keep it off the tank and side covers since it is a #$%* to wash off.....which is the point! Anyway, let it sit for a while and then if needed, wipe the excess off with a dry clean cloth. Leave a residue on there to protect the parts and don't worry about getting it off the pipes or motor or anything that may rust. If this is done periodically, no surface rust will show up. I used to live in Monterey Cali and that place was horrid for surface rust on bikes since it was by the ocean and ALWAYS damp or even wet since it never really got sunny. I washed my bikes three times a week there till I found out this trick by accident. Only had to wash them once a month after that to keep the rust to zero.

[Bob Wessner]

WD40 works well. I attribute its use to keeping my bike fairly well while stored in the garage untouched for 22 years (long story) . Getting it back in presentable shape was not that bad. I still use it after the last ride of the year before putting it under a cover in the garage (unheated) for the winter. The only drawback is the film of WD40 will attract dust, etc. When it gets too bad, just wash and dry it and give it another misting.

Just an aside, but WD40 is effective for its purpose. I drive a 2000 Honda CRV. About 5 years ago, I noticed rust forming on the inside, lower edge of the doors where the outside metal skin is crimped over. There are drain holes of course, but they are fairly high. It seems over time, dust, dirt etc. accumulates down there and absorbs and holds moisture, hence the rust. I began squirting WD40 through some of the drain holes a couple of times a year as an experiment. It seems to stopped any further deterioration. Great stuff for the purpose.

[lucky]

If that was my motorcycle I would spray it all with WD40. Now.

But I would mostly want to get some 2x4's and plywood and build a little house for it.
Kind of a doghouse but the whole top of it would hinge upwards. A peaked roof or a slanted roof design.

Just big enough to fit the bike inside.
That will do more to protect the motorcycle than anything!!

[SohRon]

These are some pretty good products as well. I use the Rustoleum on bolts and exposed bare metal, and the Boeshield on areas of heavy exposure, like under fenders and such. No problems with rust yet.

[FrankenFrankenstuff]

I met a guy that has been driving an early 1970s Lincoln year round for years...it is still a clean black sexy beast.
I asked him "Dont you worry about driving that in the snow and it getting eaten by the salt?" He told me "Its an old Yankee trick; I use 50/50 mix of kerosene and motor oil in a spray bottle...there is no rust on this car"

Never tried it...but it sounds good....maybe

[RAFster122s]

Lots of Canadians I know and some NYers would oil spray their undersides and wheel wells with used motor oil.  Makes a mess until the excess drips off but it helps slow or prevent the rust.

[Gibbit]

Thanks for the replies so far guys.  The WD40 trick is exactly what I was hoping would work.  It's just simple enough. SohRon, is that Rustoleum product like an actual paint?  Or just a spray similar to WD40?  If it's like a paint or more permanent solution that would be great for some things like fenders, bolts and whatnot.

Lucky, the long term solution is definitely to have the bike in a garage / shed.  Unfortunately for me right now I am renting so building a semi permanent structure isn't much of an option.  I'm looking to buy a house in the next year or so and believe me my new place will have a shed / garage / workshop with the works. I think the overhang provides enough protection for now. 

I actually was using a bike cover for the longest time before I realized the cover seemed to be keeping more moisture in and the rusting process was worse / faster than after I got rid of the cover.  Plus I live out in the country and with the cover on the bike there were a ton of spiders and creepy crawlies that liked to build homes in the crevices of my bike.  Without the cover they seem to not be as interested anymore.

[SohRon]

SohRon, is that Rustoleum product like an actual paint?  Or just a spray similar to WD40? 

It sprays on and dries, leaving a coating of protectant behind. Probably better than WD40 as it's made as a rust proofer. The Boeshield especially leaves a nice thick coating. Not a paint, but probably more durable than WD40 or used motor oil.

[Brantley]

+1 on Boeshield. It's expensive, but a can goes a looong way. What about one of those portable motorcycle tents from Harbor Freight?

[RAFster122s]

There are aot of differences in motorcycle covers , just like car covers. They need to let the water out and keep the dirt and water from coming through.

The cocoons with drying packets are neat but given people these days not in a apt complex unless you have your own garage.

[dave500]

i like spray pack lanoline(wool grease)for rust prevention,wd40 can attack rubber.

[scottly]

I've heard of some stuff called shark-hyde; it's used to protect aluminum boat hulls, and the hot rod guys have been using it to protect bare steel roll-bars and such. I've never used it, but it might be worth checking out..

[Rigid]

The aviation industry uses products superior to any Kmart Wd40 for rust/ corrosion protection.  Acf50, lps 2 or 3, and corrosion-x come to mind.  All available mail order from shops like aircraft spruce and specialty.com.  Not cheap, but 200% better and formulated specifically to penetrate, and exclude oxygen and moisture from metal surfaces.