Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 09, 2025 ...

Bulkheads, metal corrosion and anti-corrosion treatment....

June 15, 2023, 12:47:22 pm

A general question about the discussion or lack there of about the use of time tested, FAA/Military/Commercially approved anti-corrosion treatments (and not that oil coating stuff). 

As a previous owner of several aircraft, it was typical, especially in salt air and other corrosive environments apply Boeing/Mil Spec/FAA approved treatments to aircraft.  Typically the product would be "Fogged" into any cavity, opening, accessible tubular structure, remotely accessible area of the aircraft.  Depending upon environment, storage, use, etc., the routine would be performed every two to 4 years.  Equipment used would be a fogging tank using both ridged and flexible wands with special "high atomizing" nozzles literally creating a fog of the product under air pressure that would reach virtually every crack, corner, hidden space...you name it.  Externally reachable locations could have it sprayed or brushed on. The products were designed to "creep" into seams and every nook and cranny to protect from new corrosion forming and neutralize existing corrosion. 

Primary products used are ACF-50, Corrosion-X and BoeShield (not necessarily the stuff you may be familiar with, but product specifically made and certified for the purpose).  As to the "creeping", I can attest to the fact it did creep and make it's way between tightly mated surfaces....  I did my planes about every 3 to 4 years.  The product is design not to "build up" but to very slowly evaporate off.

Anyway, as a recently minted owner of a 2002 U320 that is virtually corrosion free, with no bulkhead issues...yada, yada, yada, I am looking to keep it that way.  In turn I am wondering why I have not heard or read anything anywhere about this form of proven corrosion prevention and neutralization for our rigs....

Standing by for enlightenment....

Bob ....in stinking hot and humid Clearwater..

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Re: Bulkheads, metal corrosion and anti-corrosion treatment....

Reply #1 – June 15, 2023, 12:58:31 pm

Bob,

Congrats on a new-to-you ride.  Condolences on your local heat and humidity.  It's hot here in TX also, but it's a dry heat...

You pose a valid question.  My first question, in response, is "Where would you spray the stuff?"

Airplanes have lots of hidden, fully enclosed cavities.  Coaches, not so much.  The main area of corrosion concern on a Foretravel is the steel framework sandwiched in the area between the bay floors and the underbody belly skin.  Each frame section is constructed of multiple pieces of welded tubing.  The area around the tubes is packed with foam insulation, so I can't see how any fogging application method would be very practical.

Others will comment, I'm sure.

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Re: Bulkheads, metal corrosion and anti-corrosion treatment....

Reply #2 – June 15, 2023, 12:59:08 pm

Pm me. Whoops and more importantly congrats on new to you coach. IMO you have chosen wisely. Great coach and supporting forum. Everything outside could be coated with an anti rust inhibitor. Foretravel failed in regard to corrosion control and primer application. Wipe it clean and paint it just doesnt last IMO

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Re: Bulkheads, metal corrosion and anti-corrosion treatment....

Reply #3 – June 15, 2023, 04:11:22 pm

Bob, in reply to you comment, on our last U295 I drilled a 3/8" hole in a couple of places in bulkhead and fed a low pressure hose thru as much as possible of tubing then pumped at low pressure some King wax oil mixture thru them. There was a small fine nozzle at end so it created the fogging you mention. I did post this at the time. I feel it would have been a good idea for all to do.
A month later I removed one of the bolts in angle iron and sure enough it had a thin film on it. Proof I hit the spot. I used a plastic plug to seal holes off.
Johnh

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Re: Bulkheads, metal corrosion and anti-corrosion treatment....

Reply #4 – June 15, 2023, 04:18:47 pm

The reality is that likely 90% of rusted box beams occurs because water is allowed into the basement  "sandwich".  Said another way the foam is soaked and keeps the outside of the box beams wet 24/7/365.

Keep water out of that area and the bullkheads can last forever.

Agree, treating the INSIDE of the beams is not a bad idea, but doubt it would make any difference to bulkhead longevity.

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Re: Bulkheads, metal corrosion and anti-corrosion treatment....

Reply #5 – June 16, 2023, 12:46:29 am

You are of course correct Brett, but as I had the liquid and tools I figured it would not harm to oil as much of the inside as I could. Cannot do the outside of tubing quite as easy.
Johnh

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Re: Bulkheads, metal corrosion and anti-corrosion treatment....

Reply #6 – June 16, 2023, 08:33:19 am

John,

Agree, if you already have access to the box beams certainly worth doing.

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Re: Bulkheads, metal corrosion and anti-corrosion treatment....

Reply #7 – June 16, 2023, 11:04:03 am

A Corrosion Prevention Compound is already developed and in active use in the private aircraft world. It is better than flooding box beams with oil because it attacks and inhibits corrosion. Many other products are available besides this one. See attached.
CORROSION X AVIATION 1 GALLON | Aircraft Spruce

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Re: Bulkheads, metal corrosion and anti-corrosion treatment....

Reply #8 – June 16, 2023, 01:01:03 pm

Anyone contemplating doing this needs to do a test with the product to make sure it will not dissolve the foam that fills the cavities between the box beams and provides insulation.

I KNOW that diesel fuel absolutely dissolves it (have inspected a coach with a very wavy underbelly under the diesel tank).  You could both smell the trapped diesel and you can see where the foam has migrated and tried to reform itself.

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