How long can you leave components in degreaser ?

Cassette, chain and rear mech look worse than I thought so got them soaking in degreaser which made me think, could I leave them all night to make my life easier ? Any horror stories ?

It will depend on the degreaser. worth checking the label. Screwfix degreaser can remove anodising if the component is left in it too long.

Depends on the parts and the de greaser.

I have seen a de greaser remove the anodizing colour from cranks, another changed the cassette and chain from shiny silver to grey/black.

Yep, screwfix one can also permanently stain/discolour metal (I use it for cleaning manky scrap so I’ll happily leave it dumped in it for ages and when it comes out it can be pretty weird)

For chain, cassette etc paraffin is a pretty ideal degreaser and it won’t hurt metal unless you set it on fire, you can happily soak forever- though a bit of agitation, occaisonal shaking etc does make a big difference. It’s also cheap and very reusable- you can let the mank settle then pour off the clean fluid and reuse (it’ll end up full of oils etc but it doesn’t really matter for this job)

What about white spirit as a degreaser? Anything to be wary of?

Been using White spirit for chain cleaning for years, not really found any issues other than leaving a slightly oily residue if it’s not rinsed off properly. Years ago a colleague of mine left chainrings in some of his dad’s degreaser for a couple of days, turned out it was som kind of caustic cleaner, and he had nothing left when he went back, so probably best to check what’s in it first.

For chain, cassette etc paraffin is a pretty ideal degreaser and it won’t hurt metal unless you set it on fire, you can happily soak forever- though a bit of agitation, occaisonal shaking etc does make a big difference. It’s also cheap and very reusable- you can let the mank settle then pour off the clean fluid and reuse (it’ll end up full of oils etc but it doesn’t really matter for this job)

This.

The muc off yellow stuff works very well but will take anodising off if left too long. Ask me how I know.

I left a 9 speed chain in white spirit for two years (it got misplaced in a house move) when i fitted it to the bike two links broke in quick succession, i figured it had probably been damaged by over soaking so had to bin that one.

How do you know rOcKeTdOg?

I left a 9 speed chain in white spirit for two years (it got misplaced in a house move) when i fitted it to the bike two links broke in quick succession, i figured it had probably been damaged by over soaking so had to bin that one.

The chain is made from steel. White spirits is not a solvent for steel. I find it very difficult to believe that the white spirits itself would have any effect on the chain.

White spirit will not affect the chain.

Some of the degreaser products contain bases (alkali) such as NaOH (caustic) this will strip anodizing.

If you are just using a solvent like white spirit then it shouldn’t affect the metal. Be wary if there are any plastic parts to the component though.

In general if something is really gunky you might have more luck with a bit of mechanical action. Get in there with a paint brush! Just make sure you are somewhere ventilated and have gloves/glasses on.

Cheers guys, just checked and all looks ok – I’ll wash it off when it gets a bit warmer – April do you think ? 🙂

Chain and cassette, I’d not be too worried. Soaking a rear mech will mean having to get inside the spring and clutch to remove the solvent and regrease.

The chain is made from steel. White spirits is not a solvent for steel. I find it very difficult to believe that the white spirits itself would have any effect on the chain.

I’ve only ever broken 3 chain links, one on a chain that was close to the end of it’s life and that was giving it some effort up a 16% gradient, and two on the above mentioned chain, on the flat and within a week of each other. Must have just been a duff one.

Bilt Hamber Surfex HD. Water based pH neutral degreaser.

It needs diluting, 1 part Surfex HD to 5 parts water for extreme degreasing. I use it at 1:10 for car alloy wheels, no need for dedicated acid wheel cleaners, all the way down to 1:100 for car interiors.

I’ve used Surfex HD on gold chains at 1:10 and it works perfectly. On non coated components I follow it up with Bilt Hamber Atom Mac. A very strong rust inhibitor.

Love my bilt hamber surfex HD use it everywhere, car interior, bathroom, carpets windows and more and costs pennies.

Bilt Hamber Surfex HD. Water based pH neutral degreaser.

Website says its alkaline pH 14?

Bilt Hamber surfex-HD

So after you have soaked your mech, and stripped of all the lube that was essential for operation, and in nom serviceable locations. How are you planning on replacing that ?

Website says its alkaline pH 14?

Oops. My mistake. Thinking of one of their other products.

I’ve used it without issue.

Would it not just be easier to spray some bike cleaner product on it and scrub it a bit with a bike brush or tooth brush when you clean the rest of the bike. That way you won’t risk trashing the mech? Spray som Fenwicks, Muc Off or Juice Lubes Super Gnar (or even washing up liquid) and a little elbow grease.

Some good points there. I shouldn’t be lazy. Hope the rear mech is okay now….

spray the chain with gt85. wipe with a rag. spray cassette with gt85, scrub with a brush. wash both with hot water with washing up liquid. rinse with hot water. leave to dry then light re lube.

been using this method for 30+ years.

spray the chain with gt85. wipe with a rag. spray cassette with gt85, scrub with a brush. wash both with hot water with washing up liquid. rinse with hot water. leave to dry then light re lube.

been using this method for 30+ years

That’s an impressive chain life !!!!