best degreaser?

subway

need a strong degreaser for gettin rid of excess chain lube / gunk and so on.
any recommendatins?

must be buyable in dublin / online.....

The Doktor

petrol

subway

huh?

burn it off?

The Doktor

petrol will disolve the oil etc.
Put some petrol in a container and use a paint brush to clean the chain etc.
Just make sure u put somthing under where u are working to catch the dripping petrol (enviornment an all that) and u wear gloves (health an all that).

subway

thanks

Pigeon Reaper

Just be careful when using it and don't get it near wheel bearings etc...

Interceptor

Most auto factors sell commercial degreaser and if GUNK is still available it is safer than petrol. Diesel also works well on chains and chainlube and is safer to work with.

'cptr

pbergin

Petrol!!!!! you are a breaver man than I.
Without a doubt the best degreaser for a chain is ordinary Kerosene, just dab a bit on with a rag or paint brush and then just rub\wash off and reoil the chain.

leef23

WD40 works well to

Pigeon Reaper

I've used WD40 it works but not as well as petrol or white spirits. Turps also works well. I wouldn't use petrol in a confined space and normally use any type of solvent outdoors if possible. Also try to keep them off the paintwork and it's good to put an old sheet down to catch any spillages.

murphaph

Don't ever spray WD40 into anything that requires heavy lubrication (including chains). It is a light lubricant and it drives out heavier greases, the problem is that it doesn't just evaporate like petrol etc. and when you reapply your chainlube etc. it can keep on driving it out even after the fact.

WD40 is great stuff, but not for these applications. I'm not just making this up, I've read it enough times not to tempt fate. I use WD40 just for it's anti-seize properties and it's water dispersant (hence the WD!) properties on the electrics but keep it away from things that need heavy lubrication!!

bugs

I wouldn't advise using petrol or white spirit on anything painted or even polished. Ethanol levels are high in them and its corrosive, cleaning of painted surfaces won't instantly whip off all the paint, over time and use it will tho.
Alot of the custom cleaning products from car parts places usually state whether they're safe for use with paint.
I got autoglym tar remover not so long ago, fantastic, needed practically no contact time and everything came off with a cloth. Prior to this i was using parafin oil, which is great for stripping gunk and costs bugger all if you can find a place to get it.

subway

a mate recommended some "gunk" which ive bought off ebay,
ill try that when it arrives,

may try the petrol thing between now and then,
as murphaph says ive heard the same thins about wd40 so wont be putting any on my chain

thanks for the advice so far,
its all much appreciated.

pbergin

If the WD40 is not totally washed away it will also weaken the rubber rings in the chain so I wouldnt use it either.

Oryx

Use a proper spray on chain cleaner, silkolene and castrol both do one. Kettenmax do a chain cleaning system. Best thing really cos if youve an oring or xring chain petrol WD or kerosene will be a bit harsh. For other greasy gunky parts Rock oil SOC is good. Dont ever put a degreaser on bodywork. Loads of bike shops do the stuff Ive mentioned I dont want to name names cos it wouldnt be fair.;)
Edit: a really really strong one is Yoshimoto 'Phoxitoph' (ya have to say it out loud...) Can be got in Dub no problem.

The Doktor

yep.. i got a box of degreasers in the garage...i still say the best is petrol..
and gunk was taken off the market years ago cos it was carcinogenic.. its available again but not the real stuff....:D
i suppose petrol is carcinogenic... thats why i wear gloves..
but the best thing to do.....is get a shaft drive

murphaph

My Haynes recommends diesel for the chain but it's an old bike and x-ring and o-ring chains weren't around when it came out so I'd also stick with a specialist chain cleaner if it's on of these chains.

I really like the Rock oil chain lube (it goes on really easy and then thickens up) but have no experience of their cleaner.

Chunkylover

dont know what i use but its in a black can with degreaser writen across it, and its great, takes a few minutes to get going and a bit of a scrub but it does the job