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[Closed] what do you use as degreaser / cleaner?

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[#509065]

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


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 2:07 pm
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Halfords citrus cleaner.


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 2:08 pm
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washing up liquid and white spirit.


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 2:09 pm
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fairy liquid


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 2:09 pm
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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


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 2:10 pm
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Orange oil nicked from my dad's work 😀 -


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 2:10 pm
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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!


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 2:12 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 2:18 pm
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Get [url= http://www.screwfix.com/prods/47781/Cleaning/Swarfega-Surface-Cleaners/Swarfega-Heavy-Duty-Degreaser?cm_re=SEARCHPROMO-_-DEGREASER-_-47781 ]this[/url] from Screwfix, then dilute 5 to 1. Lasts ages.
Richard


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 8:03 pm
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Fenwicks FS-1


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 8:06 pm
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Fairy liquid.


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 8:34 pm
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Fenwicks FS-1

+1


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 8:37 pm
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Fenwicks FS-1 - neat as degreaser and diluted as a cleaner


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 8:38 pm
 jonb
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Sainsburys washing up liquid.


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 9:00 pm
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Some bio-degradable stuff I borrowed from work 🙂


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 9:08 pm
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Autoglyn machine cleaner / degreaser.
Gets all the crap off the chain and rims. Use carefully around bearings...


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 9:11 pm
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Tesco multi-purpose cleaner , the yellow one, in a trigger spray, fantastic cleaning.


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 9:24 pm
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http://www.nenviro.com/products/+Anti+Bac+Cleaner+Degreaser.html

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


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 9:25 pm
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Paraffin works well for gunked up chains.


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 10:04 pm
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Deb jizer if it's bad, fairy if it's not.


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 10:28 pm
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Fenwicks FS-1 - neat as degreaser and diluted as a cleaner


 
Posted : 28/04/2009 10:31 pm
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KMC suggest not to use degreaser on chains:

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


 
Posted : 29/04/2009 8:53 am
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Finish line Citrus cleaner.

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


 
Posted : 29/04/2009 8:55 am
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Another Fenwicks here - neat for degreasing


 
Posted : 29/04/2009 8:57 am
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[i]Washing up liquid contains salt so isn't ideal for cleaning bikes. [/i]

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


 
Posted : 29/04/2009 9:08 am
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I just get Comma Hyperclean from a motor factors. Just use water on the bike and a brush though.


 
Posted : 29/04/2009 9:12 am
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+1 for Fenwicks FS-1 neat.


 
Posted : 29/04/2009 9:32 am
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+1 Fenwicks FS1


 
Posted : 29/04/2009 9:46 am
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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)


 
Posted : 29/04/2009 10:01 am
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Washing up liquid and hot water.


 
Posted : 29/04/2009 10:15 am
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'...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.


 
Posted : 29/04/2009 10:50 am
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Brake cleaner. Best degreaser ever and smells lovely (but don't smell it...). Deb/Swarfega "Stop Quick" smells best. But don't smell it...


 
Posted : 29/04/2009 10:53 am
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3 tsp caustic soda to 500ml water in a garden sprayer. It's the same as Muc-off only not pink.


 
Posted : 29/04/2009 9:18 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 29/04/2009 9:40 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 29/04/2009 11:51 pm
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Try using any old detergent with a wall paper steamer. Steam shifts grime!


 
Posted : 29/04/2009 11:57 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 30/04/2009 1:39 am
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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(!?)


 
Posted : 30/04/2009 1:55 pm
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+1 for FS1 although brake cleaner is great for getting in nooks and crannies, but doesn't last very long!


 
Posted : 30/04/2009 2:03 pm
 a11y
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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)


 
Posted : 30/04/2009 2:06 pm
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Golden degreaser and Purple lube.


 
Posted : 30/04/2009 2:09 pm
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Why not try not cleaning your chain vs cleaning? All you guys that reckon you're so dead right have never tried the alternative! I stopped cleaning my chains quite some time ago, and I think they last longer.


 
Posted : 30/04/2009 2:10 pm
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Jizer, bought a gallon can in 1987 still got a bit left

[img] [/img]

Tracey


 
Posted : 30/04/2009 2:12 pm
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