Degreaser
Re: Degreaser
your gona laugh when i say this... go into semichem or asda. and get stuff called, Elbow grease. its in a yellow spray thingy. its for doing ovens and stuff and it works the total dogs balls for bike engines and oily things. just dont tell the wife 

the older i get,the faster i was 

- carmanbikes
- Posts: 894
- Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2012 11:09 am
- Location: Wigan
Re: Degreaser
I use Mr Sheen 

Re: Degreaser
Both elbow grease and Mr. Sheen.
- TheGingerBeardMan
- Posts: 977
- Joined: Sun Sep 28, 2014 8:30 pm
- Location: Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Re: Degreaser
Personally, WD40 sprayed on a soft cloth (like a microfiber) does it for me every time. You don't need much, and a little goes a long way. After wiping, I usually apply Turtle wax Extreme (paste), which makes for a thin barrier of protection that also makes it easier for the lube to wipe away next time. (erm, I'm still referring to the chain, not me elbow).
You don't have to waste good WD40 though, as most poundshops have the "151" brand of WD40 style lubricant/degreasers.
If there's a lot of chain lube splatter on the plastics, you can be sure that behind the sprocket cover is jammed pack full of months of lube, and dirt, and grit.
I've tried a lot of "Anti fling" chain lubes over the years, and I've not been happy with most of them. But, my 2 top choices for chain lubes are BikeTek and Silkolene. The Bike Tek stuff was £10, and the Silkolene comes in at around £8. Both go sticky really quick, and the mess at the back end is now just little splatters.
To cut down on chain lube fling off, always lube yer chain when it's warm (bike just been ridden), as the lube "melts" easier in to the chain plates. Lubing on a stone cold chain (before you ride) will see it fling everywhere as soon as you set off!

You don't have to waste good WD40 though, as most poundshops have the "151" brand of WD40 style lubricant/degreasers.
If there's a lot of chain lube splatter on the plastics, you can be sure that behind the sprocket cover is jammed pack full of months of lube, and dirt, and grit.
I've tried a lot of "Anti fling" chain lubes over the years, and I've not been happy with most of them. But, my 2 top choices for chain lubes are BikeTek and Silkolene. The Bike Tek stuff was £10, and the Silkolene comes in at around £8. Both go sticky really quick, and the mess at the back end is now just little splatters.
To cut down on chain lube fling off, always lube yer chain when it's warm (bike just been ridden), as the lube "melts" easier in to the chain plates. Lubing on a stone cold chain (before you ride) will see it fling everywhere as soon as you set off!

If it ain't broken...f*ck about with it until it is.
TAX: 1st March 2017
MOT: 16th March 2017
INS: 14th March 2017
TAX: 1st March 2017
MOT: 16th March 2017
INS: 14th March 2017
- alanfjones1411
- Posts: 2844
- Joined: Thu May 21, 2015 3:33 pm
- Location: watford
Re: Degreaser
I use white spirit and then polish paintwork with Mer or Auto Glym. I use the chain lube the previous day or just after a ride.
SO WHEN DOES THIS OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW BETTER KICK IN
Re: Degreaser
Thanks for all your replies.
A lot of great tips.
A lot of great tips.
- bigtwinthing
- Posts: 5577
- Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 7:52 pm
- Location: Hampshire
Re: Degreaser
lube your chain after a run not before, its warm then and the stuff runs into the o rings better. Applying it cold it tends to fling off. GT85 is used on my bike everywhere. Simply spray that on the SA leave 10 mins and wipe off.
missing the noise, not the vibes. However never say never!
- lloydie
- Posts: 20928
- Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:16 pm
- Location: In the garage somewhere in Coventry
Re: Degreaser
+1bigtwinthing wrote:lube your chain after a run not before, its warm then and the stuff runs into the o rings better. Applying it cold it tends to fling off. GT85 is used on my bike everywhere. Simply spray that on the SA leave 10 mins and wipe off.
- KermitLeFrog
- Posts: 1662
- Joined: Sat Apr 11, 2015 6:44 pm
- Location: Hexham
Re: Degreaser
I use Kerosene for most things and occasionally petrol. Kero leaves an oily residue which is good in places. In other places where you don't want it just use soapy water.
The chain gets oiled with clean oil (engine or greabox oil, whatever's around) out of an oil can directly after a run; onto the O rings and then wiped off with a rag.
Be very careful with the used rags. Don't just chuck them into a corner to pile up. They can easily spontaneously ignite.
I HATE stickers. Every bloody bike I've bought has had stickers on it. They come off a lot easier with a hair-dryer. Use isopropyl alcohol to remove the sticky residue.
The chain gets oiled with clean oil (engine or greabox oil, whatever's around) out of an oil can directly after a run; onto the O rings and then wiped off with a rag.
Be very careful with the used rags. Don't just chuck them into a corner to pile up. They can easily spontaneously ignite.
I HATE stickers. Every bloody bike I've bought has had stickers on it. They come off a lot easier with a hair-dryer. Use isopropyl alcohol to remove the sticky residue.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I squandered" (George Best, RIP)
- bigtwinthing
- Posts: 5577
- Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 7:52 pm
- Location: Hampshire
Re: Degreaser
KermitLeFrog wrote:I use Kerosene for most things and occasionally petrol. Kero leaves an oily residue which is good in places. In other places where you don't want it just use soapy water.
The chain gets oiled with clean oil (engine or greabox oil, whatever's around) out of an oil can directly after a run; onto the O rings and then wiped off with a rag.
Be very careful with the used rags. Don't just chuck them into a corner to pile up. They can easily spontaneously ignite.
I HATE stickers. Every bloody bike I've bought has had stickers on it. They come off a lot easier with a hair-dryer. Use isopropyl alcohol to remove the sticky residue.
you have a sticker saying "I hate stickers" we have all seen it

Last edited by bigtwinthing on Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
missing the noise, not the vibes. However never say never!
Re: Degreaser
Gave up on overpriced ineffective water based degreasers and got this to cut through the crud
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-Carplan-T ... xyXDhShjDV
along with http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-LITRE-PURE- ... SwPhdVR6F3

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-Carplan-T ... xyXDhShjDV
along with http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-LITRE-PURE- ... SwPhdVR6F3

It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
VTR Firestorm and other bikes t-shirts

Re: Degreaser
I use turps substitute in the parts washer cheap as chips and don't half cut through grease 
