| It depends on you, your rding habits and your riding conditions.
We recommend an annual cleaning and waxing. Clean your frame with a light detergent solution (like dish soap or Simple Green). Dry the frame well before applying a good carnauba wax like Mequaire's Tech Wax or Johnson's Turtle Wax. Look for waxes that also provide UV protection for the paint (to slow fading). This treatment keeps the paint supple, maintains the color and reduces damage from abrasion.
If you sweat a lot, if you live near salt air and if your sweat is corrosive (ph for sweat can vary from a mild 6.5 to a damaging 4, you'll want to rinse your bike off regularly with fresh water to keep salt of the frame and components. Also, be sure to keep your components properly lubicated and maintained.
You'll want to wax more often if you live/ride in corrosive environments - salt air by the ocean, salty winter roads in the north or in continuously humid and rainy environments. Two, possibly three times a year should do the trick. Rule of thumb: when water stops beading up on your finish, it's time to re-wax.
After a washing, drain the bike by lifting the front wheel off the ground and holding it over the rear wheel until any water drains out the drain holes. The remaining internal moisture will evaporate.
Applying JP Weigle's Framesaver or similar product (like Spray-on LU-710 waxy protectant) protects the inside surfaces of the frame. Though not critical for most fair weather riders, it's critical for commuters and riders in corrosive areas and times of the year. The treatment lasts for a couple of years. Be sure to wipe off the Framesaver after application to avoid possible damage to the paint.
Stainless steel and rust: The stainless steel Waterford offers is highly corrosion resistant but not corrosion proof. The difference between corrosion resistance and corrosion proof is the trade-off for getting the high-structural performance needed for a great ride. So, even if it's stainless, a wax job every so often makes your frame look better (and makes fingerprints less visible). Also, frames with a combination of stainless steel and painted surfaces also needs paint. Moisture can get under the paint at the borders and cause the paint to bubble. When it doubt, wax it!
For more information, check out our bike care guide: http://waterfordbikes.com/w/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/WaterfordBikeCareGuide2010.pdf .
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