lots of the stuff in the shops seams really expensive for what it is? any good ways of saving?

Halfords citrus cleaner.

washing up liquid and white spirit.

fairy liquid

Hot soapy water

Years ago I used to work in a big American engine factory & it’s all they used to de-grease components prior to assembly

Orange oil nicked from my dad’s work 😀 –

White spirit in a coffee jar – pop your chain in and give it a shake.

As green as a heap of burning tyres but cheap and effective!

Finishline Ecotech. Just got one today from Halfords for £3.50 (half price) cos it had a tiny leak. 🙂
I find it works very well when cleaning the chain which is pretty much the only place i use it. Apart form that it’s just water and elbow grease.

Get this from Screwfix, then dilute 5 to 1. Lasts ages.
Richard

Fenwicks FS-1

Fairy liquid.

Fenwicks FS-1

+1

Fenwicks FS-1 – neat as degreaser and diluted as a cleaner

Sainsburys washing up liquid.

Some bio-degradable stuff I borrowed from work 🙂

Autoglyn machine cleaner / degreaser.
Gets all the crap off the chain and rims. Use carefully around bearings…

Tesco multi-purpose cleaner , the yellow one, in a trigger spray, fantastic cleaning.

http://www.nenviro.com/products/+Anti+Bac+Cleaner+Degreaser.html

Try this, I got some and it’s bloody good stuff.

Paraffin works well for gunked up chains.

Deb jizer if it’s bad, fairy if it’s not.

Fenwicks FS-1 – neat as degreaser and diluted as a cleaner

KMC suggest not to use degreaser on chains:

http://www.kmcchain.com/index.php?ln=en&fn=service#2

Finish line Citrus cleaner.

Washing up liquid contains salt so isn’t ideal for cleaning bikes.

Another Fenwicks here – neat for degreasing

Washing up liquid contains salt so isn’t ideal for cleaning bikes.

So they say but I’ve been using it for years with no ill effects.

I just get Comma Hyperclean from a motor factors. Just use water on the bike and a brush though.

+1 for Fenwicks FS-1 neat.

+1 Fenwicks FS1

I have been using this for past 2 months, cheap, excellent results and lasts for aaaaaaaagggggggggggggeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssss:

http://www.travena.co.uk/citrus_degreaser.htm

8)

Washing up liquid and hot water.

‘…KMC suggest not to use degreaser on chains…’

That may well be the case, but I disagree with the concept of introducing clean lube into the links of a chain that are contaminated with dirty lube containing grit and finer particles from previous riding.

Brake cleaner. Best degreaser ever and smells lovely (but don’t smell it…). Deb/Swarfega “Stop Quick” smells best. But don’t smell it…

3 tsp caustic soda to 500ml water in a garden sprayer. It’s the same as Muc-off only not pink.

Petrol. Never once had a problem cleaning anything with it, other than jockey wheels, one of which turned to rubber but none have since.

Wouldnt want to use caustic soda due to its alkalinity – too strong and it’ll strip off your anodising.

I use car shampoo on my bike as it won’t kill the paint and ax washing up liquid will.

Then I take my chain and use petrol or parafin in a glass jar overnight then rinse and dry. Then lube and wipe excess.

Gt 85 cleans my cassette really well.

Just bought a chain clean kit cheap as local shop sell off due to closing.

Try using any old detergent with a wall paper steamer. Steam shifts grime!

Another one from the previously mentioned KMC website –

“NEVER EVER use a so-called’chain washing machine’ in combination with solvent. This is the one and only sure way to instantly ruin your chain.”

Can’t see the problem myself.

Another one from the previously mentioned KMC website –

“NEVER EVER use a so-called’chain washing machine’ in combination with solvent. This is the one and only sure way to instantly ruin your chain.”

Can’t see the problem myself.

and this is from a chain SELLING company, suprise ,suprise(!?)

+1 for FS1 although brake cleaner is great for getting in nooks and crannies, but doesn’t last very long!

Fenwicks FS-1 here too, diluted down severly though.

‘Cos I’m a Scottoiler user, I never have to degrease chains apart from when they’re new 🙂 – but then I use some really strong citrus stuff (which made a mess of my hands it was that strong)