[email protected] wrote in message news:<
[email protected]>...
> Derk Drukker writes:
>
> > I have been thinking if it would be a good idea to spray a thin layer of liquid wax or oil or
> > something similar inside a steel frame to avoid rust. If so, does anyone know what substance
> > would be best to use for this purpose?
>
> Forget it. The whole idea of rusting out from the inside is a hypothetical consideration brought
> on by frame failures that occurred from someone leaving rag or paper stuffing in a seat tube (the
> tube that ingests all the water) that subsequently became a rust wick.
>
> If you make sure the clamp slit at the seat post is sealed (thick grease is good enough) there
> won't be enough moisture in the frame to cause significant rust. Back in the days when everyone
> rode steel, internal rust was not a problem over 20 years of commuting in all weather or more.
> Frame saver is a boutique elixir sold by fear mongering. I've ridden unprotected steel frames
> since the 1950's and never had a rust problem. But what if...???
>
> Jobst Brandt
[email protected] Palo Alto CA
But, Jobst, are you riding in places (like, say, northern New England and not the Bay Area or the
Alps or Sierra in the Summer) where they use so much salt that the dried crust is caked up on the
surface of your car the day after you've washed it?
In almost 15 years of nearly daily commuting and a winter of messengering in Portland, Oregon, I
didn't worry and as you say I did not have problems. But late Winter/early Spring in New Hampshire -
that's another kettle of (saltwater) fish. Boeshield in my frames might or might not help, but I am
willing to spend a couple of bucks to try, and I'm not about to order a second custom road frame to
ride on alternate days as an untreated control.
This is not irrational. Anyone who has spent any time in a maritime setting knows about salt water
and corrosion of steel. What I *don't* know is how much the Boeshield will help. My hope is that the
Boeshield will reduce corrosion damage, and prolong the life of the frame - but it's only a couple
of bucks and I'll probably never know whether it helped or not.
-Alex Merz