Steel frame protection

[pliptrot]

I always used J.P. Weigle's frame saver on (in) my steel frames. This is now, apparently, not available. What recommendations do you have for something else to use?

[Nearholmer]

If you can still get it, waxoyl, making sure you warm it up plenty before using, sprayed or poured and “sloshed about”.

It is incredibly tenacious stuff.

[mig]

ACF-50 if you prefer something 'thinner' and easier to spray.

[KM2]

I remember my brother having a bike sprayed At Mercians., after waxoyling. Ruined the whole paint job on stoving and they reenamalled it. But worth protecting the inside.

Also as stated AFC 50 is good for all bits

[Brucey]

I have used waxoyl but actually almost any automotive cavity wax will probably work OK. If you want a thinner coating, just warm up the frame (to at least 50 or 60C) and allow any surplus to drain out. If you simply tip hot water from a kettle over the outside of the frame this usually has the desired effect.

[wheelyhappy99]

I used waxoyl on vehicles years ago, a couple of which I had a long time, and found it eventually dried and tended to flake off. Since then I have used BiltHamber products which haven't.
https://bilthamber.com/product/dynax-s50/

They also sell a very good polish that is very corrosion resistant and lasts a long time. Protects bare metal where the chrome or paint has worn, ideal for bikes in my experience and applied to all mine once or twice a year.
https://bilthamber.com/product/auto-balm/

[Nearholmer]

How long did the waxoyl last before flaking?

I ask because I did the exterior of the lower parts of a bike with it in 1991, and it was still in situ when I gave the bike away (a mistake, that was) in 2016. Incredibly tenacious.

[esasjl]

I dilute Waxoyl with white spirit and slosh inside the frame tubes on a warm day. Drain off the excess and some will seep out of drain holes for a while.

[wheelyhappy99]

How long did the waxoyl last before flaking?

About 7 or 8 years. That was in and on Land Rover or Merc 3.5T box section chassis, so much more exposure to air and heat than in a bike frame. The BH stuff just stays more fluid and bleeds across any scratches that arise in the coating, effectively self repair. Doubt that's much of an issue in a bike frame....

[gregoryoftours]

I used boiled linseed oil in one of my frames. It seemed to work fine but is a bit messy for a little after. It's also the only bike I've ever had stolen, so I wouldn't recommend boiled linseed oil.

[Pebble]

I could imagine getting a bit surface rust on the inside of a frame, but could it ever amount to much?
My bike is nearly 35 years old and it gets ridden all winter in all weathers - can't say I have ever looked but could there be a significant corrosion problem?

I have never know what sort of steel my frame is made of (1989 Giant Speeder Lite), but it does seem very resistant to rust. paints is often lost around the chain stays but providing I squirt some oil or water dispersant on it after every ride it stays ok, and other bits where rust is visible it is only minor surface stuff

[Mick F]

I've used Waxoyl on Mercian from almost from the day I bought the frame in October 1986. Added more a few times over the yonks.

It was re-enamelled by Mercian themselves for its 21st birthday - 2007 - with no issues.

[pliptrot]

I spent many a freezing day spraying Waxoyl under cars, tractors, and on ploughshares, muckspreaders and goodness knows what else. I might have a bit of PTSD after all of that. Escaping from my former life I am amused that I may be back to activity I left behind a long, long time ago.

[Mick F]

I first used it with running Minis. Vans, estates, saloons. The underneaths rust like hell, so Waxoyl was their saving grace.

[Pebble]

I remember the days, car starts to rust, so fill every cavity full of waxoyl, still fails MOT, then bursts into flames when you try and weld it.