Steel Frame Protection

[CarnageAX]

Hey Board,

I'm building up a bike from a new steel frame and wondering about internal rusting. I have been advised that a rust prohibitor should be applied to the tubes before the components are attached!

I am looking at Hammerite's Waxoyl, a rustproofing spray.

Anyone used this or something similar for preventing internal rust?

FYI the frame is a Surly Pacer made of 4130 steel.

 

[Christopher]

i used Waxoyl, wierd stuff, sprayed it up the tubes. Luckily the frame was on a dropcloth as the Waxoyl did leak out from various places.
Not sure how effective it is, haven't taken the bike apart to check. I had an aerosol of it, it came out like foam. Still, beats using creosote!

BTW I also used anti-rust paint for the heads of all stem, rack and headset bolts as rust on them looks so unsightly.

 

[Chris James]

Frame saver seems to be the stuff that is often recommended.

Having said that, I have had a couple of untreated frames that have lasted more than 20years without problems, so how long does the frame have to last?

 

[Monkey Spanner]

WD-40? Lots of it.

 

[CarnageAX]

Frame saver seems to be the stuff that is often recommended.

Having said that, I have had a couple of untreated frames that have lasted more than 20years without problems, so how long does the frame have to last?

I have no idea, I just don't want it rusting though and snapping in half when wheeling down a big hill.

Thanks for your advise. Finding it very hard to get Framesaver in the UK, seems to be an American thing...

 

[CarnageAX]

WD-40? Lots of it.

Too runny. It will just drain out of the bottom bracket...

 

[fossyant]

I've used chain lube (finish line type) and Waxoil - upon recent headset change on my Herety I can confirm they work - no internal corrosion. Mine is 18 years old.....

 

[Fab Foodie]

Frame saver seems to be the stuff that is often recommended.

Having said that, I have had a couple of untreated frames that have lasted more than 20years without problems, so how long does the frame have to last?

Mine survived since 1949.

You could always get some thick car oil, dilute it with a little solvent like paraffin sloshit around and allow the paraffin to evaporate off, it'll leave a thin oil coating on the internal parts which'll be better than nothing, but really unless you're gonna be riding it in 50 + years I'd not worry too much.

 

[HF2300]

I have to say, I think this frame saver business is a nonsense. I've seen some pretty horrible bikes in the past, and I can't think I've ever seen one that's been anywhere near rotting through from the inside - not one that hasn't been on a tip or under a tree for twenty years, anyway.

Of course, now I've said that everyone will post photos of rusted through frames...

 

[fossyant]

It's rare...only happens on ones where the frame let's water in.... lot's of carbon frames do, cos you can't grease stuff up.....

 

[CarnageAX]

It's rare...only happens on ones where the frame let's water in.... lot's of carbon frames do, cos you can't grease stuff up.....

No danger of rust with a carbon frame though! Suppose you pay for what you get.

 

[Riding in Circles]

Just fill the tubes with molten lead.

 

[buddha]

I sprayed the inside of my frame with a can of metal primer. And wiggled the frame around so that all the tubes got a coating. No noticable rust so far, after 2 years.