Corrosion-X treatment

[rbs4159]

At my recent annual, the A&P found very light powder corrosion in one wing and a couple of fuselage lap seams and suggested that I eventually have the wings and fuselage fogged. I know it will seep for a year or two from the lap seams and my question is how hard it is to clean up and whether it's worth it. Also, will it damage the PC  components, all of which work perfectly. While I'm at it, I'm looking to add a GNS 430W to the panel in my '38 C, and would like to buy a used one from someone who has recently upgraded. If anyone has one, you can send me a private e-mail with asking price and info. Finally, anyone who has the parts to upgrade my Brittain PC to the accutrak/accuflite systems, I'd be interested in buying those parts, as well. I'm based at KWVI.

 

Thanks 

[KSMooniac]

I just had my first Corrosion-X treatment and the only real concern about it is that you shouldn't do it if you plan to paint anytime in the near future (within a year or two), otherwise there is no harm in doing so.  There are some alternate treatments like Boeshield or ACF50 (I think) that might be options in your area and possibly less messy.  I'm of the opinion that we should be proactive in corrosion prevention and treatment, so if you're already seeing it then go ahead and attack the problem.  Cleaning up the residue periodically is a LOT easier than replacing the aluminum.  

[Kwixdraw]

Corrosion-X/ ACF-50 is good stuff. Just had a discussion on this with my A&P instructor. We were talking about an old MOA article claiming that these products could prevent the spar cap corrosion we sometimes find in Mooneys. His position was that they could not because that corrosion is "intergranular corrosion" that is caused by incorrectly done heat treating. The corrosion begins internally as a galvanic reaction between molecules of the metals making up the alloy that crystalize before the heated part makes it to the quench. Once you see the evidence of this corrosion the damage is already severe.  TheACF-50 can actually help some electrical connections.

[John Pleisse]

I was told by my shop that most light powder corrosion (surface) happens within a few years of new, then stops and presents no structural or functional concerns. I fog mine every other annual anyway. Scott is dead on, get it done six mos before paint...just look at Scott's paint job....I don't see Corrosion X oozing from any rivets...just a real nice paint job!!!

[jetdriven]

We had ours done when we bought it.  The spar cap corrosion starts in a seam, either in the gear well or the center section, between the stub spar or spar cap layers.  Intergranular corrosion looks similar but this starts in a seam.  Its kinda messy but oil is easier to deal with than a corroded spar.  Thats a 20-30K repair.

 

Jim I hear you can clean the servo clutch with brake cleaner or contact cleaner.

[scottfromiowa]

Every other year like clock work.  I have no problem with the weeping.  Better than corrosion...

[rbs4159]

Thanks to everyone for the info, I guess I'll have it treated June 8. Is there any chance the Corrosion-X treatment could damage or affect the PC servos or tubing in either the wings or fuselage? Also, does anyone know where I might find the parts to upgrade my beautifully functioning PC system to Accuflite/Accutrak, or a used GNS 430W. Thanks, I'm new to MooneySpace but not new to Mooneys.   

[scottfromiowa]

Corrosion-X does not harm the air-lines or PC rubber boots metal cans/servos in wing and tail.  I found my Accu-Trak on Ebay.  Keep checking boards and avionics salvage sites.  They are out there.  When planes are salvaged or owners upgrade they come up from time to time.  Jerry and Kevin at Brittain get them from time to time too and will re-furbish/yellow tag them.  Good luck in your search...

[Cris]

I'm thinking of having Corrosion X or the ACF 50 process done on my Eagle but would like to use a shop that has done Mooney's preferably Ovations/Eagles in either NJ or maybe Fl. Any recommmendations as well as costs. Thanks  

[Seth]

I had the Missile corrosion Xed during the pre-buy/turned into Annual before it came to the east coast.  My F Model I didn't have it done to because I planned to paint it.  When the new owner purchased it, before I sent it to Florida, he said he'd wait at least two years before painting it, so I told him to get it done.  I had it done for him here in Maryland before I delivered the aircraft to Florida.

Question - How long does it take for the oozing to stop?  I feel like I'm always wiping down the wings and body to get ride of the Corrosion X streaks (and no, it's not fuel).  Are we talking 50 hours of flight?  Six months?  A full year?

-Seth

[carusoam]

My C continuously bled corrosion X.  Looked like smoking rivets.

Paint was very imperfect so bleeding up through the rivets was only natural for X.

No fear of corrosion though!

Best regards,

-a-

[Cris]

What are the costs to do this job aside from the aggravation of the A/C weeping? I'd think that a knowledgeable shop would knw how to minimze that issue with fogging as was mentioned or perhaps by the use of smaller quantities. I'm not sure I want to fly around for a couple of years watching stuff weeping out onto my new paint.

[KSMooniac]

It should only add an hour or two plus the cost of materials during an annual inspection or other maintenance that has the plane opened up.  If doing it as a standalone job, then you'll have to pay the labor to R&R all the panels.  I don't remember what I paid at Maxwell's during my annual this year, but I think it was on the order of $150-$200.

[carusoam]

Mine was done at annual on an old plane with questionable original corrosion protection, that also lived outside.  Essentially for the cost of spray cans.

The magic of the X is that it spreads itself into cracks and crevices on its own.

So I am not sure that applications can be done professionally with care?

End result, no corrosion where the X was used.

Best regards,

-a-

 

[bnicolette]

My airplane came from Daytona and they had the Corrosion X done every year.  The cost was always $200 going back through the receipts.  I didn't have it done in February when I had the plane annualed but it is still oozing out just a bit.  Smoking rivets is about the best description I've heard.  Very easy to wipe down though.

I am near Pittsburgh and am undecided about what I should do this coming February at annual time?  Should I treat it or not?  I was thinking about every other year possibly, but my airplane lives in the hangar and I'm obviously not near the shore.  But being that it came from Florida; should I do it?

[jetdriven]

Brett, if it is still running out of seams and rivets and you are in PA now, i would skip a year. We are going to skip it this year and we are in Houston.

[pjsny78]

I have had ACF 50 applied to my plane and 6 months later I am still seeing it ooze out. I guess its good stuff but again I have nothing to compare it to as this is the first time I have applied it. It also kind of sucks because I now want to get the plane painted and I don’t know if the paint will adhere properly. The paint shop tells me it will not be an issue but I’m still a bit nervous about it.

[HopePilot]

I'd really like to do the Corrosion X treatment, but what is the equipment you need to be able to atomize (i.e. not just spray with a can)?  Is the least expensive option the Handi-Spray at $449?

[Mac201]

I have spoken to two paint shops so far while searching for the right shop for me.  Both shops said it was not good to have the plane treated with corrosion x before painting and to wait a year to 18 months after.

[bnicolette]

I can certainly understand why they want you to wait at least a year.  Attached is a picture of the bottom of my wing and I had thought it might be the beginning of the dreaded fuel leaks, but Mr. Maxwell told me it was residual Corrosion X.  It has almost been a year and the stuff is still seeping out.  Not much mind you, but I still notice it.

[DaV8or]

Has no one here heard of Boeshield? Great protection, but no weeping. No greasy build up. I did it last annual. We'll see how it goes. Recommended by Top Gun.

[danb35]

I used Boeshield on '48Q, and similarly have had little to no weeping (I also use it on my shop tools, but that's a different story).  It works on a different principle than Corrosion X and ACF 50, and I don't think it penetrates as well into tight spaces.  FWIW, Mike Busch doesn't feel that Boeshield is particularly appropriate for GA use.

[rbridges]

Quote: Bnicolette

I can certainly understand why they want you to wait at least a year.  Attached is a picture of the bottom of my wing and I had thought it might be the beginning of the dreaded fuel leaks, but Mr. Maxwell told me it was residual Corrosion X.  It has almost been a year and the stuff is still seeping out.  Not much mind you, but I still notice it.