Aluminium protection from salt.
 

I have some basic, cheap, aluminium panniers which work well for me. What I have noticed is how quickly salt seems to attack them in even the smallest amounts. So I'm thinking of covering them with something like clear varnish / lacquer or paint?. Previous experience has shown me that that sort of thing don't stick too well on bare bright ( cheap) aluminium.

Anyone done something similar using easily available stuff from diy stores that can be done in the garden shed ? Or any better ideas other than take them off!

Its not salt
 

Actually turns out it's not salt after all. It seems to be lime type material most likely picked up as dust in Croatia a while back, there was a lot of it there. Having been out in the rain it has splatted all up the sides and front of panniers and reacted unfavourably. A quick test with schoolboy science equipment ( litmus paper ) confirmed my theory - very high Ph ( alkaline)

It really eats into aluminium fast ! I didn't know that, but now I do.

This travel lark is riddled with new things to learn.

Tip for the day - lime stone tracks and dust don't go well with exposed aluminium - even if you don't lay it down.

Aluminium Corrosion
 

What you could do once you have cleaned off the corrosive film is to use some good quality self adhesive film, the reflective type used on service vehicles. This sticks really well and is quite durable and can be replaced relatively easily

google shark hide protectant
good luck
kp

https://shop.grafityp.co.uk/

J

hey I'm not a traveller (yet) or even an experienced biker and I was only poking around the HUBB and saw this question and thought i would put in my 2 cent. a long term biker family member swears by ACF-50. I use it too it was originally designed to stop corrosion of aircraft on US carriers and aero space applications. its a bit pricey but get great praise online as well.

http://www.acf-50.co.uk/motorcycle.htm

Ali Primer
 

Hi,
I've painted Ali on numerous occassions. Firstly key with a 240 Grit oxide ( or simular ) sandpaper, prime with a Ali primer or some places sell a multiprimer for non-ferrous metals. I've used 4" sponge rollers for a smooth finish or a short haired roller for a slight texture, they tend to be spirit based paints, so the sponge rollers will expand, meaning you will need a few. I have used any gloss paint as a top coat on Ali sills etc, + hammerite, but I've found the best to be the metal paints they use on agricultural machinery. Spaldings is a company I've used in the past.
Hope this helps