To Do Frame Saver or Not to Do?
#1
Thread Starter
Member

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 47
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To Do Frame Saver or Not to Do?
Yes, despite all the unpleasantness of haggling and dealing with that iacky substance, money., I have just gotten a new bike,
a steel one and someone somewhere advised on using frame saver on the inside tubing. I will be in thru the rain possibly a bit,
not on purpose but its quite possible I could get stuck in a down pour in ireland or Scotland or wherever. Obviously, it's new, but...
I'm a little nervous about having the shop take apart my beautiful new bike and then re-assemble it when they got it mostly together to begin with (yeah, I know they build custom bikes and stuff). Will they get it back together all right, sound like it was before? I don't know enough abt bikes & repair stuff to do it myself.
And---* what do you think? Should I do the Frame Saver?
(It's a MTB but mainly will be on road and thru very bad streets & paths in foreign countries).
THANKS!!
a steel one and someone somewhere advised on using frame saver on the inside tubing. I will be in thru the rain possibly a bit,
not on purpose but its quite possible I could get stuck in a down pour in ireland or Scotland or wherever. Obviously, it's new, but...
I'm a little nervous about having the shop take apart my beautiful new bike and then re-assemble it when they got it mostly together to begin with (yeah, I know they build custom bikes and stuff). Will they get it back together all right, sound like it was before? I don't know enough abt bikes & repair stuff to do it myself.
And---* what do you think? Should I do the Frame Saver?
(It's a MTB but mainly will be on road and thru very bad streets & paths in foreign countries).
THANKS!!
#2
I have stripped bikes, put them back together, moved components from one bike to another, built bikes, etc., and I am just a neophyte. I assure you the shop should be able to take care of your new toy just fine. They might even get it in better adjustment. They don't really have to take off anything critical to spray in the frame saver. Hmm, come to think of it, I need to do my two steel frames. Has anyone used Frame Saver? Good stuff?
Thanks,
Raymond
Thanks,
Raymond
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If it ain't broke, mess with it anyway!
If it ain't broke, mess with it anyway!
#3
feros ferio

Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 22,413
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From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Do not worry about your bike being disassembled (headset, bottom bracket, and seat post) and reassembled by a competent shop. Since I have heard of steel frames rusting from the inside out, framesaver makes sense to me, although I have not used it personally (perhaps I should!).
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#4
If you are so proud of your machine, then by all means use frame saver (I assume you are referring to an internal coating to protect the frame from rust).
Your frame will get wet inside from condensation if not from rain and water splash.
You can do it yourself if you like. You can get auto body coat in a can and spray it inside your frame. You would have to take the fork off to get at the head tube and access the top tube and down tube entrances.
I would go the extra length to keep the frame-saver coating out of my bottom bracket; don't want it to mix with the BB grease.
If that makes you nervous, have your LBS do it. It isn't a big deal.
Your frame will get wet inside from condensation if not from rain and water splash.
You can do it yourself if you like. You can get auto body coat in a can and spray it inside your frame. You would have to take the fork off to get at the head tube and access the top tube and down tube entrances.
I would go the extra length to keep the frame-saver coating out of my bottom bracket; don't want it to mix with the BB grease.
If that makes you nervous, have your LBS do it. It isn't a big deal.
#5
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 1
From: Spokane WA
Bikes: Seven Axiom Ti, Trek 620, Masi cylocross (steel). Masi Souleville 8spd, Fat Chance Mtn. (steel), Schwinn Triple Bar cruiser, Mazi Speciale Fix/single, Schwinn Typhoon
Do the Frame saver!!!, especially if you live in a humid or salt air climate. It's a very, very good Idea. If I ever "get off the pot" I'm going to coat ALL of my frames!!!! I'm not sure I'm going to use the same suff, there's lots of ways to do it.
Don't worry about getting it in your Bottom Bracket Shell and "mixing with the grease", the stuff dries pretty hard and almost all BBs have plastic sleeves to keep junk out, ( if yours doesn't have a sleeve you can get one), and the new ones are "sealed". Actually, having a layer of "saver" in you BB shell is important.
"Steel is Real"
Ride Ferrous
Pat
Don't worry about getting it in your Bottom Bracket Shell and "mixing with the grease", the stuff dries pretty hard and almost all BBs have plastic sleeves to keep junk out, ( if yours doesn't have a sleeve you can get one), and the new ones are "sealed". Actually, having a layer of "saver" in you BB shell is important.
"Steel is Real"
Ride Ferrous
Pat
Last edited by pat5319; 01-24-02 at 01:27 AM.
#6
0^0

Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,056
Likes: 1
From: Rolla, MO
Bikes: Redline Monocog,Surly Crosscheck, Lemond Reno
For my BB shell I coated it with super-thick waterproof grease. I pulled my BB apart the other day to check for rust and......no rust!!!
Wouldn't spraying WD-40 into the tube prevent rusting? One time I was repainting a bike and to keep it from rusting over night I coated it with WD-40. It was a pain to clean up the next day, but it worked.
Wouldn't spraying WD-40 into the tube prevent rusting? One time I was repainting a bike and to keep it from rusting over night I coated it with WD-40. It was a pain to clean up the next day, but it worked.
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Booyah!!
Booyah!!
#7
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 12,948
Likes: 9
From: England
With a Shimano style cartridge bottom bracket, it makes no difference what is coating the BB shell. Only with exposed bearing systems is that a worry, and not a big one.
In a lugged frame, the BB is open to the main tubes, so condensation drips down and collects there. My frame has a drainage hole to remove this.
Modern welded frames often have a tubular BB shell. Where does the condensation which forms in the tubes, end up ?
I use WD40 inside the frames, and left my bike outdoors by the sea for 2 years. There is no internal rust.
In a lugged frame, the BB is open to the main tubes, so condensation drips down and collects there. My frame has a drainage hole to remove this.
Modern welded frames often have a tubular BB shell. Where does the condensation which forms in the tubes, end up ?
I use WD40 inside the frames, and left my bike outdoors by the sea for 2 years. There is no internal rust.
#8
Thread Starter
Member

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
What is WD40??
I am going to do a quickie web search thatshould tell me.
Maybe it is better than this frame saver stuff, and I can ask my
LBS to use this, I think I'll go w/the coating to be on the safe side. I'm going to be in rainy regions so....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ORIGINALLY QUOTED BY MICHAELW:
I use WD40 inside the frames, and left my bike outdoors by the sea for 2 years. There is no internal rust.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WoW!
Gratzi for the oodles of suggestions
Emma
I am going to do a quickie web search thatshould tell me.
Maybe it is better than this frame saver stuff, and I can ask my
LBS to use this, I think I'll go w/the coating to be on the safe side. I'm going to be in rainy regions so....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ORIGINALLY QUOTED BY MICHAELW:
I use WD40 inside the frames, and left my bike outdoors by the sea for 2 years. There is no internal rust.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WoW!
Gratzi for the oodles of suggestions

Emma
#9
Originally posted by emma_t
What is WD40??
I am going to do a quickie web search thatshould tell me.
Maybe it is better than this frame saver stuff, and I can ask my
LBS to use this, I think I'll go w/the coating to be on the safe side. I'm going to be in rainy regions so....
Gratzi for the oodles of suggestions
Emma
What is WD40??
I am going to do a quickie web search thatshould tell me.
Maybe it is better than this frame saver stuff, and I can ask my
LBS to use this, I think I'll go w/the coating to be on the safe side. I'm going to be in rainy regions so....
Gratzi for the oodles of suggestions

Emma
Richard
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Currently riding an MTB with a split personality - commuting, touring, riding for the sake of riding, on or off road :)
Currently riding an MTB with a split personality - commuting, touring, riding for the sake of riding, on or off road :)
#10
The Flying Scot

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,904
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From: North Queensferry Scotland and London (and France)
Bikes: Custom (Colin Laing) 531c fast tourer/audax, 1964 Flying Scot Continental, 1995 Cinelli Supercorsa, Holdsworth Mistral single speed, Dahon Speed 6 (folder), Micmo Sirocco and a few more
Come on Richard, say what you mean.
WD 40 is a degreaser and water repellant and should not be used as a lubricant.
Could be used to protect a frame but not on bearings etc.
WD 40 is a degreaser and water repellant and should not be used as a lubricant.
Could be used to protect a frame but not on bearings etc.
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plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
#11
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 12,948
Likes: 9
From: England
WD-40 is a can of spray-on water displacer and rust preventer. Most workshops have a can, so people are always finding new uses for it.
Framesaver is a wax specially designed for the purpose and will last a lot longer. Use Framesaver.
Some people use WD-40 on chains, but its too light an oil for the job. Use a proper chain lube. It doesnt really matter which chain lube you use, but you must have one. Some lubes are clean and dry, some are waxy, some are oily, some resist rain better than others. Ive tried a lot and dont have a favourite. On tours, when Ive run out, I'll resort to engine oil from dicarded cans; very messy but it does the job.
Framesaver is a wax specially designed for the purpose and will last a lot longer. Use Framesaver.
Some people use WD-40 on chains, but its too light an oil for the job. Use a proper chain lube. It doesnt really matter which chain lube you use, but you must have one. Some lubes are clean and dry, some are waxy, some are oily, some resist rain better than others. Ive tried a lot and dont have a favourite. On tours, when Ive run out, I'll resort to engine oil from dicarded cans; very messy but it does the job.
#13
Thread Starter
Member

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 47
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Thank you everyone 
Interesting stuff, WD40. Just did a web search and my mom would flip out over the miracle qualities of this stuff.
Also phoned the bike shop and talked to the nice guy (he is a nice guy and competent) who helped me last time, and am
going with the frame saver!! I hope they do a !good! job cause
I really like my bike!!!!
Oh, and for Raymond/Rainman P--when the guy first explained to me about Frame Saver I do remember him telling me that people (many with older model bikes), some without rust yet but that are approaching and some that do have rust come in for the Frame Saver spray- and that it helps a lot to stop things from rusting further.
Emma

Interesting stuff, WD40. Just did a web search and my mom would flip out over the miracle qualities of this stuff.
Also phoned the bike shop and talked to the nice guy (he is a nice guy and competent) who helped me last time, and am
going with the frame saver!! I hope they do a !good! job cause
I really like my bike!!!!
Oh, and for Raymond/Rainman P--when the guy first explained to me about Frame Saver I do remember him telling me that people (many with older model bikes), some without rust yet but that are approaching and some that do have rust come in for the Frame Saver spray- and that it helps a lot to stop things from rusting further.
Emma
#14
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 2
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From: Santa Cruz, Laguna, Philippines
Bikes: Kona Unit, Aventon Cordoba
With a Shimano style cartridge bottom bracket, it makes no difference what is coating the BB shell. Only with exposed bearing systems is that a worry, and not a big one.
In a lugged frame, the BB is open to the main tubes, so condensation drips down and collects there. My frame has a drainage hole to remove this.
Modern welded frames often have a tubular BB shell. Where does the condensation which forms in the tubes, end up ?
I use WD40 inside the frames, and left my bike outdoors by the sea for 2 years. There is no internal rust.
In a lugged frame, the BB is open to the main tubes, so condensation drips down and collects there. My frame has a drainage hole to remove this.
Modern welded frames often have a tubular BB shell. Where does the condensation which forms in the tubes, end up ?
I use WD40 inside the frames, and left my bike outdoors by the sea for 2 years. There is no internal rust.
#15
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,106
Likes: 1,027
From: The banks of the River Charles
Bikes: 2025 Black Mountain Cycles Mod Zero, 2025 Surly Ogre, 2022 Salsa Beargrease, 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX
Wow, 20 year old thread resurrection.
#20
Sunshine
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18,744
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From: Des Moines, IA
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
I used to framesave my steel bikes, but then I stopped storing them at the bottom of a pool and havent needed framesaver since.
#21
#23
But WD-40 is not a very effective corrosion preventive substance. It is excellent at displacing water, okay as a penetrant, fair as a lubricant, and perhaps better than nothing for long-term protection.
When I was assembling my bike a few years ago (a new steel frame), I recognized the easy opportunity to treat the frame. Since I bought a bare frame and built it up myself at home, there was really no excuse to skip this step. I did not buy frame saver, but just used linseed oil.
I don't know how much of a problem I've prevented--in other words, how much rust might be accumulating in an untreated frame. But I get peace of mind when I go out riding in the rain or especially on salty winter roads.
Linseed oil is not expensive, it's widely available, and it's easy to apply. As for its suitability, ever since airplanes were invented, it's what we use to protect their steel tubular structures internally. It's actually specified by the FAA for this use. So, seems good enough for a bicycle.
#25
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From: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix






