Steel frame protection

[Sci Teach]

Has anyone out there used the framesaver coating that is sprayed into the drain holes in the tubes of a steel frame??


I really like the 853 frame on my Lemond Zurich, and want to preserve it as long as possible.

Other suggestions???

[DT]

I've heard you can use motor oil or linseed oil, but I believe I.F. uses "J. P. Weigle's FRAME SAVER" on all steel bikes that go out.

DT

[pk]

If you got steel, you better get Frame Saver, or be prepared to ride rust!

pk

[Sci Teach]

Thanks for the responses! I picked up the frame a couple weeks ago.....and only riding when dry. I actually picked up a can of the JP Wiegle framesaver over the weekend.....wanted to get some info from those in the know before using.

Looks like I know what I'll be doing later!!!

Thanks for the info!

John

[Big Game]

My advice --- disassemble your bike so you can get in into all of your tubes...just don't spray into drain holes...water has no trouble creeping down your seat post into your seat tube, down your steerer tude into head tube, and it's realy easy. Be throrough and spray it outside...framesaver be reeking.

[Sci Teach]

Good idea Big Game! I'll be getting into all the nooks and crannies.

But outside??????? Never thought of the outside. Will it remove the paint....or just seal in the dirt??

I was planning on keeping it clean, using a product like "bike lust" and doing touch up paint (pretty easy....it's black) as needed.

[Dino Sore]

But outside??????? Never thought of the outside. Will it remove the paint....or just seal in the dirt??


I think he meant do it outdoors.

[ArmOnFire]

I think he means performing the process outside, as ventilation could be required, because the stuff probably stinks.
Where did you pick the stuff up?
I should do it to my Pinarello, hope its not too late!!!

[ArmOnFire]

Dino Sore beat me by 16 seconds!

Damnit!!!!

[Sci Teach]

YUP! end of the school year.....I'm brain dead!!!!!

Yeah...I'll use the framesaver OUTSIDE!!!!

[SteveC]

I think he means performing the process outside, as ventilation could be required, because the stuff probably stinks.


Yes it stinks....and it's very highly flammable, like the label says....read the label carefully, and no smoking before, during or after application...well..maybe before....but if you sniff enough of it, you won't be jones'n for anyting else mon ;D.....I prefer to even store it out in my garage, rather than anywhere near the house....
The other detail I 'think' is, that Framesaver needs to be applied periodically--I do my steel frames 1x/year--
Steve

[MTBME]

"My advice --- disassemble your bike so you can get in into all of your tubes...just don't spray into drain holes...water has no trouble creeping down your seat post into your seat tube, down your steerer tude into head tube,"


What about your bottom bracket and headset? Are you removing these also? If not, does the spray get into the bearings? Sounds like a lot of trouble if your not riding your bike in the rain. And besides, after 4 or 5 years, aren't we all just itching to get a new bike anyway?

[ArmOnFire]

I have had a Pinarello for about 6 years and love it.
I want it around for a long time, sure I'd like some new wheels and such, but the frame is Awesome!
Interested in the feedback from others.
Keep it coming.....

[SteveC]

I ride a Specialized Epic Carbon road bike--it's 10 years old, and it is AWESOME!, too.....On the trail, though, I'm the old-school 'steel is real' guy. I've always imagined that a quality steel road frame could be quite sexy, too...
Steve

[Big Game]

What about your bottom bracket and headset? Are you removing these also? If not, does the spray get into the bearings? Sounds like a lot of trouble if your not riding your bike in the rain. And besides, after 4 or 5 years, aren't we all just itching to get a new bike anyway?



Remove everything...the spray seems kind of gummy, probably doesn't make a good subsitute for bearing grease...

It may be a hassle, but think about it, even if you're itching to get a new bike every 4-5 years (I got it much worse...I get the itch every 4-5 months), don't you want to sell you're old one for as much as possible? Someone in the market for an older sell bike will know about framesaver and will ask if you used it. You could lie but that wouldn't be so useful as #1, your karma will suffer, #2, someone will some knowledge will be able to look inside your tubes and see you didn't...then they'll offer you $50 because your throwing in king hubs

Steel bikes are awesome...they have a much longer usable life than aluminum because of their fatique resistance...strong like bull...with a nice ride....only downside is they rust...I just got a Kona Explosif (Platinum OX), it freaking rocks. Some buds of mine have some steel EWR's that I'd love to get my hands on...steel is classic, protect it for yourself and protect it for the bike's next owner, man.

And so some of you say you never ride in the rain..do it anyway. Rust does not need H20 in the form of a liquid...rust can form when water is in vapor form...vapor can also condense. If you ever put your bike on your car rack, water has an easier time seeping down your seat tube when your driving at 65 mph than when your pedaling at 22. Plus, rain happens all the time, even when Mr. or Ms. Weatherperson says it won't. The only way to guarantee that you'll never be caught out in the rain is to ride your bike inside or stay within a block of your house.

I think most shops sell Mr. Weigle's...if they don't look for a new shop.

I can't believe how fired up this got me....knowing that a beautiful steel frame may be rusting away because someone didn't want to be bothered taking the time to protect it, is like watching your friend wallow pointelessly in drug addiction...keep it up and I'll schedule an intervention.

[Sci Teach]

Thanks to the advice here..I used some Wiegle last night....still reeling from the fumes :D

As Big Game suggested..take everything off...it really isn't much of a hassle....and even gives you some down time to be "intimate" with your ride.

The satisfaction of protecting my pimped out ride far outweighs any of the work done to do the job right!

[ArmOnFire]

I'll be stopping by the LBS tonight (get some framesaver),
need to spend some quality time with my ride (apply FS),
and get it protected, my only question is am I too late?

I have done lots of rides in the rain (this morning), I lived in Florida for 4 years, it rains all the time, almost every afternoon down there.

For big guys, steel road bikes are the way to go, but the carbon seat stays that are on the new bikes look really cool!

[Big Game]

I'll be stopping by the LBS tonight (get some framesaver),
need to spend some quality time with my ride (apply FS),
and get it protected, my only question is am I too late?



Its never too late to spend QT with your bike...inspect ythe isnide of your BB shell, this is usually the first place steel bikes fail. If you can clean out the rust and its still looks strong, the rest of your bike is probably ok. But let this be a lesson to you

[SteveC]

One trick to applying frame-saver which also helps because you dont necessarly want to apply it to BB threads if youre using threadlock or grease.....
--Put on goggles and gloves and again extinguish all smoking materials. Take out the little screw that holds on the rear cables guide thingie (on the bottom of your bb) Quickly and carefully inject frame saver into this hole. Your bottom bracket is done!! Now dont forget to put the screw back and wipe the excess from your paint job.....Of course this only works if you have that thingie, although you could drill a small hole and cap it with a small screw when you're done....Also if your frame , like mine, was designed without 'weep holes', you may be able to go through the water bottle braze-ons. Just be careful in this process because you'll get it squirting back out quickly. Thats why the directions warn against this..........
That's all for now. Gotta go ride.
Steve Cobble