Chain Cleaning

Bikerbhoy

Anyone any recommendations for a good chain cleaning fluid to help clean a really grimy chain...... either off the shelf or any homemade concoctions,

Thanks

concussion

Fairy Liquid seems to workwell enough for me.

gman2k

Car shampoo would be my choice, as there is a lot of salt in washing up liquid. That's why you should not wash your car with same.

Lumen

concussion wrote: »

Fairy Liquid seems to workwell enough for me.

Not a great idea IMO. Contains salts.

irishmotorist

Bikerbhoy wrote: »

Anyone any recommendations for a good chain cleaning fluid to help clean a really grimy chain...... either off the shelf or any homemade concoctions,

Thanks

I've used the Halford branded degreaser a good bit and always find it good. I think about €10 will get you about a litre. I always use this with a chain cleaner somewhat similar to this fella. Don't forget to rinse the degreaser thoroughly off the chain with water afterwards, before re-greasing.

davey101

I read on sheldon browns site that dropping your chain into a coke bottle containing critus cleaner was a good way, if you can remove the chain. Tried this after a really mucking mtb spin during the week and Oh my what a job it did. popped it in for no longer than 2 minutes and shook it about then wiped with a rag and oiled up again. chain has never been so clean,

concussion

Lumen wrote: »

Not a great idea IMO. Contains salts.

Did not know that, cheers. Haven't noticed any detrimental effects from using it but I wont be reccomending it again.

it's mick

i use this method and find it works well. won't work with a derailleur though.


EDIT: hmm, the video wasn't showing up for me so here's a link instead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsCbgwcTRNY&feature=player_embedded#

Jawgap

I use citrus degreaser routinely but for the times when its really manky I have a supply of Lidl motorbike chain cleaner that I use - works quite well.

I'm too lazy to take the chain off!

DirkVoodoo

Pedros Citrus degreaser is pretty good, I use it all the time now. I also recommend a toothbrush.

Beasty

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I also recommend a toothbrush.

Based on Dirk's experience....



...I would recommend not using your usual one:D

blorg

I can second that Park cleaner, it is excellent and very easy to use.

@irishmotorist- is the Halfords degreaser safe to pour down the drain, as €10 sounds very good for a litre, the Park citrus chainbrite etc. are that for a much smaller bottle. Any other ideas for cleaners safe to go down the drain appreciated.

I tried the take chain off and shake around in a bottle of degreaser but it ended up a nightmare with muck EVERYWHERE and I couldn't get the chain back out the top without breaking open the bottle (I used a wine bottle, maybe not the best idea.) Possibly down to the practitioner.

DirkVoodoo

If you wanna take the chain off, those pepsi max (I think?) bottles with the extra wide spout are handy.

blorg

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

If you wanna take the chain off, those pepsi max (I think?) bottles with the extra wide spout are handy.

I've gone off Pepsi Max unfortunately.

On that topic has anyone tried using Pepsi or Coke given its reputation? I actually might give it a go on an old chain

Super Freak

I use Muc-Off to clean my bikes. I'm going to try it in my Park chain cleaning tool next time.

Should do the job?

blorg

Super Freak wrote: »

I use Muc-Off to clean my bikes. I'm going to try it in my Park chain cleaning tool next time.

Should do the job?

Generally you want something a lot stronger in the chain cleaner. Like citrus degreaser- although I often use Fenwicks FS-1 neat in the chain cleaner, diluted 10:1 this is equivalent to Muc-Off on the rest of the bike. Muc-Off on its own would do something but would be far from ideal. Fenwicks BTW works out a hell of a lot cheaper.

IM0

Super Freak wrote: »

I use Muc-Off to clean my bikes. I'm going to try it in my Park chain cleaning tool next time.

I for one would like to know how that goes for you.

Bikerbhoy

Thanks alot everyone for your input on that one, flew up to CSS and got me a small bottle of Citrus Degreaser and yes certainly does a good job ....... Had been using Muc Off and rags until today just wasnt getting the base dirt off ..... BUT ..from today on Degreaser and toothbrush ..end of.

Thanks again everyone :D:D


Oh and........... I got me a new top of the range toothbrush into the bargain too by the way ....Happy Days....... (the thought of stroking one of the kids toothbrushes for bike maintenance didnt really seem fair)

Cheers

tomasrojo

concussion wrote: »

Fairy Liquid seems to workwell enough for me.

Never thought about the salts before. I've been cleaning the chain with a j-cloth, dishbrush and hot water with a splash of washing-up liquid in it for many, many years, followed by a very good rinse with warm water, a dry and then oil. As with @concussion, I've never noticed had any trouble, but I guess it would be better to use something specific to the task in hand.

DirkVoodoo

I'm not sure it matters to be honest. If you are cleaning the chain and rinsing immediately. Salt is used as a thickening agent in detergents, I'm not sure what the exact concentration is but people claim washing cars with it results in cracking paint. Just don't leave it soaking in it and I can't see it doing any harm, as your experience shows.

@Bikerbhoy: I also recommend flossing the chain, hard to reach dirt can lead to a "big british chain". You want a perfect "hollywood" chain.

djbproductions

I read in a magazine a few months ago about using WD40 to clean a chain, I have tried this method over the last few weeks and it works perfect. Although WD40 is mainly used when removing rusty parts, etc, it also seems to breakdown dirt. I would normally use citrus based degreasers which are also great. After using the WD40, I wipe the chain clean, removing any excess, leave it a short while then use wet lube (for winter) which will stay on longer when its raining. In the past I never cleaned chains very often & would end up replacing cassetes and other parts often, its worth looking after this vital part on any bike.

blorg

I'm not sure that the likes of Muc-Off lack salt BTW, it was suggested to me in my LBS that it can cause issues with metal parts. Soap and water was suggested instead.

IM0

blorg wrote: »

On that topic has anyone tried using Pepsi or Coke given its reputation? I actually might give it a go on an old chain

make sure your wearing the yellow kit too for added 'visibility'

jimshady101

I have only ever used WD40 which works very well. The grime and dirt just falls off the chain. It's relatively cheap too:-)

I have also used the Lidl motorcycle chain cleaner which also works extremely well. Usually use this stuff on my mountain bike.

Super Freak

I use Muc-Off to clean my bikes. I'm going to try it in my Park chain cleaning tool next time.
Should do the job?

I for one would like to know how that goes for you.

It's not great TBH. Tried it yesterday, It's better than nothing but something a little stronger is needed.

funkyjebus

jimshady101 wrote: »

I have only ever used WD40 which works very well. The grime and dirt just falls off the chain. It's relatively cheap too:-)

I have also used the Lidl motorcycle chain cleaner which also works extremely well. Usually use this stuff on my mountain bike.

Do not use WD40. It will only cause more problem then if you never bothered.

djbproductions

funkyjebus wrote: »

Do not use WD40. It will only cause more problem then if you never bothered.

Why would you not use WD40? I would recommend to use this but afterwards wipe the chain with a cloth then apply wet/dry lube. Otherwise something similar to WD40 with Teflon could be used. In the past I would have said no to WD40 as a lube, but in this case its for cleaning the chain. Atleast with removing the dirt and grime you will save wear on the more expensive drivetrain.

funkyjebus

djbproductions wrote: »

Why would you not use WD40? I would recommend to use this but afterwards wipe the chain with a cloth then apply wet/dry lube. Otherwise something similar to WD40 with Teflon could be used. In the past I would have said no to WD40 as a lube, but in this case its for cleaning the chain. Atleast with removing the dirt and grime you will save wear on the more expensive drivetrain.

http://bicycletutor.com/no-wd40-bike-chain/

If you using it for just cleaning and make sure you get it all off before lubing up, then maybe. But be dam sure its all gone before lubing up. It is however no doubt safer to use a purpose made degreaser, which is what should be recommeded.

The original statement that I quoted could have caused some confusion for a first timer.

Gavin

WD40 is great for getting rid of left over water.

WhiteSpirits is a very good degreaser (obviously) and very cheap from tesco. I got tired of the stink of it and the hassle of the bottle cleaning technique so now I use the Park tool cleaner with the Fenwicks FS-1 and find it jolly good.