TYGA Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 Anyone here ever experienced corrosion on an aluminium frame? I first had it in 2004 on a Giant XTC hardtail, Dragon Industries replaced it, it happened again on the new frame...dragon replaced it....still got the 3rd one as a spare bike...it is now showing corrosion in the form of bubbling of the paint at the water bottle bosses on the down and seat tune. Any idea what (apart from my super corrosive and excessive sweating....) could be causing it? Perhaps a reaction between the water bottle boss brazing, the bottle cage bolts and the aluminium frame? Never had it on any of my other bikes, only the Giants. Weird.
Johan Bornman Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 Show us some photos please. Also, you don't say where the previous corrosion was.Corrosion on aluminium is very common, especially if you live by the coast. I think even architectual aluminium (window frames to you and I) destined for the coast has a super thick layer of anodising on it for that very reason.Any architects or aluminium extrusion guys here....Tim, Rude? Johan Bornman2009-01-16 06:54:33
cyclenut Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 JB: I have an Eddie Merckx frame which is corroded in places -mainly sweat corrosion. It's not a safe frame to ride but if you can use it for anything on the courses you run you're welcome to it.
TYGA Posted January 16, 2009 Author Posted January 16, 2009 Sorry, ya, corrosion same place every time, at the water bottle bosses on both seat and down tubes. None of my bikes have ever been subjected to salt water crossings but I live 5 K's from the sea...and cycle along it often...while sweating profusely all over the frame!
Johan Bornman Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 JB: I have an Eddie Merckx frame which is corroded in places -mainly sweat corrosion. It's not a safe frame to ride but if you can use it for anything on the courses you run you're welcome to it. Thanks Nut. I'll take it if you don't mind me sawing off the BB and head tube. I need another set for classroom BB operations.
Johan Bornman Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 Sorry' date=' ya, corrosion same place every time, at the water bottle bosses on both seat and down tubes. None of my bikes have ever been subjected to salt water crossings but I live 5 K's from the sea...and cycle along it often...while sweating profusely all over the frame! [/quote'] Hmmm... Don't know what to say. Those bosses are vulnerable since the aluminium inside is exposed and any sweat dripping down will enter. If the frame swapping is really a pain, remove the bosses, treat the naked aluminium and replace them. Most importers have the tool to replace Rivnuts. I've seen steel frames corrode from the inside - in fact my Cannondale carbon fork (with steel steerer) is slowly rotting from the inside and one of these day's I'm gonna see my arse on it. The cure would have been to treat the inside with that spray wax (like Squirt I suppose), you guys on the coast can buy from car shops like Midas. It sprays on and then solidifies into wax. It comes with a 360 degree nozzle you can stick into tight places and spray. Obviously a fresh water wash after each sweaty ride is a good idea too - perhaps the best preventative step of all.
BikerBoy Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 My bike is naked(paintless) and I have no problems with it. And it looks wicked without paint!!!
TYGA Posted January 16, 2009 Author Posted January 16, 2009 Each time I get a new frame I start off rinsing it after each ride....that habit soon dies though.....Don't know if it's worth spending any cash on it...I think the components have reached the stage where it's gonna cost me more to get her back up to scratch than it's worth. Sadly. I quite like the sound of the naked frame...how did / do you get all the paint off and does it then need to be sprayed a clear coat or treated?
Dirtbreath Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 The corrossion on an aluminium frame often affects areas that have been worked on after the paint finish has been applied. This was a problem on a batch of Yeti's where the headbadge is riveted onto the head tube. Wasnt a structural issue but when you are paying that much for a frame you really dont want it bubbling like that. http://yetifancom.proboards56.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=533 http://yetifancom.proboards56.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=530 Dirtbreath2009-01-16 13:44:26
BikerBoy Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 Each time I get a new frame I start off rinsing it after each ride....that habit soon dies though.....Don't know if it's worth spending any cash on it...I think the components have reached the stage where it's gonna cost me more to get her back up to scratch than it's worth. Sadly. I quite like the sound of the naked frame...how did / do you get all the paint off and does it then need to be sprayed a clear coat or treated? It was a tough job getting the paint off! I spent a couple of weeks stripping it with paint remover and a paint brush. And clear coat cracks on an unpainted frame and all you have to do is clean the frame and let it dry nicely. But I think it was worth it!
Daniel XTR Posted January 17, 2009 Posted January 17, 2009 Jeez Biker Boy,you taking the weight saving to the next level eh? hahaGive us some pics
BikerBoy Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 Sorry Dan, having trouble uploading the pics but I will try again.
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