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Cleaning Tips

  • 22-03-2012 11:41pm
    #1
    goodlad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,224 ✭✭✭


    Hey guys,

    Im planning to give my bike a good cleaning tomorrow.
    I just use car shampoo and i have some autosol and a few other cleaners.

    But what im trying to suss out is whats best to remove all the black crap from the rear sprocket, whe wheel rim and my chain? I tried to clean it off before but after an hour it was still manky.

    If there anything i can spray on to just disolve the greasy mess?


Comments

  • #2
    fatbast
    Registered Users Posts: 126 ✭✭fatbast


    muc off is quite good, and gunk not bad, but chain cleaner will strip it quickly!


  • #3
    honeybadger
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 869 ✭✭✭honeybadger


    parrafin


  • #4
    RosieJoe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,499 ✭✭✭RosieJoe


    Ask KTric. Anyone that get a bike this clean is going to be an excellent source of cleaning knowledge

    Pictures here


  • #5
    Please Kill Me
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,340 ✭✭✭Please Kill Me


    If you can take the back wheel off, take off the sprocket and let it soak in a bit of petrol for a few minutes and use a paint brush to get the crap off. If you can't, use petrol or WD-40 on a rag and wipe the sprocket. Just be careful not to get the WD-40 on the chain.

    For the chain, get a chain cleaner from a bike shop and use a tooth brush. It's a long, messy job but it's worth it. As for your wheels, again, WD-40 on a rag. If you're going into a bike shop to get chain cleaner, no harm investing in a can of degreaser.

    Like previously said, Muc Off is a good product. They do chain cleaner, degreaser and chain lube. All available in Halfords.


  • #6
    Stainless_Steel
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,155 ✭✭✭Stainless_Steel


    I put the back wheel up on a paddock stand. Then dip a stiff small paint brush in chain cleaner (muc off usually). Then hold the brush at the sprocket where the chain just leaves it and spin for a minute or so. Then repeat but hold on the chain rollers and then chain sides etc.

    Then to dry I hold a rag in same positions and spin. Usually gets it sparkling but I do it regular enough (once a fortnight) and only do about 300kms per week.


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  • #7
    CJhaughey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,907 ✭✭✭✭CJhaughey


    Cheapest degreaser is 1/2 and 1/2 kerosene and water, mix in a load of cheap whitening laundry powder (own brand) until its like a thin paste.
    Brush this on with a paintbrush and leave it to sit for 10 minutes or so, scrubbing with a dishbrush will help.
    Rinse off well.
    This will shift most grease and muck off bikes.
    I wouldn't leave it for longer than 15 minutes or so as the washing powder can be pretty strong stuff.


  • #8
    tiernanobrien
    Registered Users Posts: 176 ✭✭tiernanobrien


    white spirit on the sprockets. Best degreaser imo... Keep it away from the chain tho - use proper cleaner!!


  • #9
    KTRIC
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,463 ✭✭✭KTRIC


    RosieJoe wrote: »
    Ask KTric. Anyone that get a bike this clean is going to be an excellent source of cleaning knowledge

    Pictures here

    Ah, that'd be tellin' :D


  • #10
    kevin-46
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 285 ✭✭kevin-46


    heres mine before
    IMAG0548.jpg

    and after
    IMAG0550.jpg


  • #11
    Green_Martian
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭Green_Martian


    Please Kill Me wrote: »
    If you can take the back wheel off, take off the sprocket and let it soak in a bit of petrol for a few minutes and use a paint brush to get the crap off. If you can't, use petrol or WD-40 on a rag and wipe the sprocket. Just be careful not to get the WD-40 on the chain.

    I have used wd-40 on the chain with no problem, you just need to make sure yu have wiped it all off before re-waxing chain otherwise it wont stick


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  • #12
    Green_Martian
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭Green_Martian


    kevin-46 wrote: »
    heres mine before
    IMAG0548.jpg

    and after
    IMAG0550.jpg

    Jaysus so not only did you chain and sprockets come up clean but the extra cleaning added a chain guard:D:D:D


  • #13
    Zascar
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 12,778 Mod ✭✭✭✭Zascar


    Going to head down to the jetwash and give mine a wash now. Don't think I'll be getting down with a toothbrush to clean the inner bits. I wish there was a specialist bike cleaner you could bring it to for a full valet!


  • #14
    Green_Martian
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭Green_Martian


    Zascar wrote: »
    Going to head down to the jetwash and give mine a wash now. Don't think I'll be getting down with a toothbrush to clean the inner bits. I wish there was a specialist bike cleaner you could bring it to for a full valet!

    I thought there was a place in blanch that did:confused:


  • #15
    CJhaughey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,907 ✭✭✭✭CJhaughey


    Zascar wrote: »
    Going to head down to the jetwash and give mine a wash now. Don't think I'll be getting down with a toothbrush to clean the inner bits. I wish there was a specialist bike cleaner you could bring it to for a full valet!
    Jetwashes used injudiciously can do a lot of damage, grit blown in through seals and water damages bearings.
    I have seen a lot of rear linkages damaged from jetwash use.


  • #16
    goodlad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,224 ✭✭✭goodlad


    Well i ended up getting a degreaser and a dish brush. It made the cleaning a lot easier than me just scrubbing at it in the past.

    I would of prefered to get the sprockets properly but with no main stand or paddock stand it make it pretty difficult. And having an exhaust over the chain doesnt help, lol

    Cheers for all the tips so far! The bike is already looking cleaner than i ever had it before.


  • #17
    Please Kill Me
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,340 ✭✭✭Please Kill Me


    Zascar wrote: »
    I wish there was a specialist bike cleaner you could bring it to for a full valet!

    There is!! There's a guy in Navan who does it. He's pretty good too.


  • #18
    Green_Martian
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭Green_Martian


    Please Kill Me wrote: »
    There is!! There's a guy in Navan who does it. He's pretty good too.

    What is he like price wise??


  • #19
    Please Kill Me
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,340 ✭✭✭Please Kill Me


    Green_Martian wrote: »
    What is he like price wise??

    €60, but the bike is like brand new when he's finished, and there's a "protective film" put on the bike as well. Have a read on his website here: http://www.bikecare.ie/site/ I have his phone number if you want it.


  • #20
    KTRIC
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,463 ✭✭✭KTRIC


    Please Kill Me wrote: »
    €60, but the bike is like brand new when he's finished, and there's a "protective film" put on the bike as well. Have a read on his website here: http://www.bikecare.ie/site/ I have his phone number if you want it.

    I'd love to offer the same service but there's no way I could compete with that price. As for the protective film, its just ACF50 :rolleyes:

    €60 would buy you a lot of cleaning and protective agents (wax etc.), just learn how to do it yourself.


  • #21
    GZ250
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27 ✭GZ250


    I hate cleaning my bike, 60€ sounds good at least for a one off. Then when it's pristine perhaps I could keep it clean. Stupidly I left my bike lying up in Nov/Dec when it was wet and there's a few spots of rust. Not easy to remove. :mad:


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  • #22
    RocheV
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3 ✭RocheV


    Slightly unrelated...but bought an old bike a while back and there was a GIVI box on the back, gone grey from the sun and lack of care. I used peanut butter to clean it-apparently the oils in the butter replace oils dried out by the sun, and then used some VRP after (think I got that from cleancar.ie)-it looks like new-only sorry now I didn't take before and after pics...also good for the switchgear surrounds on the handlebars, any black plastic I think...and smells lovely :D


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