[Unregistered.]

Has anyone used a product like Flash Kitchen Degreaser to clean their bike cassette / chain? I have it to hand but don't want to use it if it will cause any damage. Anyone have any experience or recommendations?

[happytramp]

Yeah it's fine. I use the cheapest degreaser i can find (usually mr muscle in the euro shop) Won't do any damage. Your choice of lube after you've cleaned it is probably more important.

[Unregistered.]

Originally Posted by happytramp

Yeah it's fine. I use the cheapest degreaser i can find (usually mr muscle in the euro shop) Won't do any damage. Your choice of lube after you've cleaned it is probably more important.

Are they just as good as the bike-specific degreasers?? I was planning on finishing with GT-85 to ensure all the water is flushed out then TF2 wet lube once its dry$

[Arthurdaly]

Fairy liquid does an amazing job with a decent brush!

[BX 19]

I use kerosene. Its less then a euro for the litre of the stuff and its an excellent degreaser.

[Unregistered.]

Dont fancy using kerosene!
Does washing up liquid need to be diluted?

[BX 19]

Originally Posted by Unregistered.

Dont fancy using kerosene!
Does washing up liquid need to be diluted?

Only problem with kero is disposing of it. It doesn't have the problem of spontaneously combusting like petrol though.

[reilig]

I find that household degreasers leave a chawlky residue which will lump over time. They also take an awful lot of elbow grease to remove old oil and gunk build up in comparison to other types of degreasers. A can of citrus degreaser from a motor factor's costs less than a fiver and it will degrease an awful lot of chains. Failing that, a little drop of green diesel in the chain cleaner does a great job and it is very cheap.

[BX 19]

Originally Posted by reilig

I find that household degreasers leave a chawlky residue which will lump over time. They also take an awful lot of elbow grease to remove old oil and gunk build up in comparison to other types of degreasers. A can of citrus degreaser from a motor factor's costs less than a fiver and it will degrease an awful lot of chains. Failing that, a little drop of green diesel in the chain cleaner does a great job and it is very cheap.

The chalky residue could be something to do with lime within your water perhaps? I get the same thing when washing the car.

[Seaswimmer]

Originally Posted by BX 19

Only problem with kero is disposing of it. It doesn't have the problem of spontaneously combusting like petrol though.

pour the used kerosene into a container and let the sludge/dirt settle to the bottom. Next time you use it pour the clean kerosene off the top. Repeat until all the kerosene is used and you only have sludge left. Pour new clean kerosene on top of sludge. it will take years to get a full container of sludge...

[BX 19]

Originally Posted by Seaswimmer

pour the used kerosene into a container and let the sludge/dirt settle to the bottom. Next time you use it pour the clean kerosene off the top. Repeat until all the kerosene is used and you only have sludge left. Pour new clean kerosene on top of sludge. it will take years to get a full container of sludge...

I do have a ever building container of the sludge. Eventually the heavier particles will all settle to the bottom and your left with nearly new kerosene. It's a great system.

The only thing I don't like about it, that after years of using it, my hands get really dry afterwords. I tend to use nitrile gloves with it now (kerosene will dissolve latex gloves) plus your hands are squeaky clean after cleaning the bike.