Chain cleaner/degreaser that actually works?

[markoc]

I'm used to using Finish Line degreaser (and elbow grease) on my chain to strip it clean and then wash off using mucoff and dry/re-lube, but I ran out and for some silly reason decided not to replace it but buy some Fenwicks Chain degreaser expanding spray foam.

Well that was bloody silly.

First up it didn't work, and just moved the crap around on the chain, second, it shot a jet of rapidly expanding foam uncontrollably everywhere bar the area I wanted it. This included my garage door, car, floor and me - but importantly not the chain .

I'm going to go back to Finish Line degreaser (and the citrus one if I can find it) but a question in advance of this : Does anyone know of a spray on/rinse off chain degreaser/degunker that actually works - I can't believe how filthy my chain gets just from commuting!

[rhinochopig]

I find those chain bath thingies are excellent. They get the chain spotless and then you just rinse with a hose. Lube up and off you go. I've tried various types of degreaser through it and they've all worked to similar levels so can't really recommend one specific make.

Think I have the Park bath.

[okgo]

Isn't diesel the best degreaser? I bath my chain in white spirit, but finding its not that good really. Might go and get a few liters of the black stuff

[rhinochopig]

okgo said:

Isn't diesel the best degreaser? I bath my chain in white spirit, but finding its not that good really. Might go and get a few liters of the black stuff

Petrol. Diesel is oil. Hand in your PH membership on the way out

[okgo]

rhinochopig said:

Petrol. Diesel is oil. Hand in your PH membership on the way out

I've heard its better than petrol as its cleans and lubes at the same time, and is a stronger degreaser than petrol.

[rhinochopig]

okgo said:

rhinochopig said:

Petrol. Diesel is oil. Hand in your PH membership on the way out

I've heard its better than petrol as its cleans and lubes at the same time, and is a stronger degreaser than petrol.

But why would you want to lube your very very expensive drive-train with diesel which designed to be used as fuel?

IMO if you've spent a lot of money on high end drive train you want a proper cleaning solvent and a lube designed for bikes.

[okgo]

rhinochopig said:

But why would you want to lube your very very expensive drive-train with diesel which designed to be used as fuel?

IMO if you've spent a lot of money on high end drive train you want a proper cleaning solvent and a lube designed for bikes.

Apparently a lot of the teams still use car fuel to degrease. Bike designed stuff isn't much different I doubt, just 3x the cost.

[Fluffsri]

On my MTB I use WD40 or GT85 to clean the chain weekly and then relube with finishline wet or dry depending on the season and every couple of months mine gets dunked in accetone for a proper degrease. I only do this as I ride where its really sandy.

My road bike is cleaned with an oily rag and relubed. Oil is very good at cleaning oil off.

[itsnotarace]

KMC missing link to break the chain easily

Soak in petrol overnight in a strong plastic container

Rinse thoroughly with water

Allow to air dry for a bit, dry cloth to get the worst off, then GT85 to dispel any remaining water from the links

Reattach to bike and relube rollers only

Wipe off excess lube with dry cloth

Job done

[Bacon Is Proof]

I use Loctite 7840 "natural blue".
Bought five litres years ago for about £12.

I used to work in precision engineering, and if it's good enough for degreasing bits of Formula 1 cars, satellites, optical lasers et cetera, then I'm sure it's good enough for your push bike.

It's biodegradeable and non-toxic.

I also used to use an ultrasonic bath for cleaning, which may sound a little excessive but considering my MTB is 12 years old with all original components and was my only mode of transport for about four of those years, it could be a good investment.

Or it could be that I'm allergic to mud.

[Rouleur]

itsnotarace said:

KMC missing link to break the chain easily

Soak in petrol overnight in a strong plastic container

Rinse thoroughly with water

Allow to air dry for a bit, dry cloth to get the worst off, then GT85 to dispel any remaining water from the links

Reattach to bike and relube rollers only

Wipe off excess lube with dry cloth

Job done

This. Petrol is perfect for the job.

[olly-robinson]

I have always used a chain bath filled with parrafin, fill turn pedals back for 20 cycles, take off bath, hose off and repeat a couple of times, then use a toothbrush and parrifin again to clean the jockey wheels, chainrings etc. hose off with clean water youll be amazed how clean you can get it.

[Robsti]

Rouleur said:

This. Petrol is perfect for the job.

+1.

[CoolC]

This: http://www.screwfix.com/p/swarfega-oil-grease-remo...

Neat in a scrubbing bath thingy to clean the chain, comes up like new. Diluted in a sprayer to scrub the cassette, mech's etc.

Then purple extreme lube for the chain (need some more though, just run out )

[Fluffsri]

Rouleur said:

This. Petrol is perfect for the job.

Have you seen the price of Petrol nowadays!?! Nearly cheaper to buy a new chain

[crisisjez]

I just use Comma Hyperclean degreaser in a Muc off bath and rinse with water then apply oil.
All these bike specific products are eye wateringly expensive and no different to any other product used to clean stuff.

[donfisher]

olly-robinson said:

I have always used a chain bath filled with parrafin, fill turn pedals back for 20 cycles, take off bath, hose off and repeat a couple of times, then use a toothbrush and parrifin again to clean the jockey wheels, chainrings etc. hose off with clean water youll be amazed how clean you can get it.

Yep,

I ¾ fill a 2L pop bottle with paraffin. Drop the chain in, give it a good shake every now and then and leave it overnight. Take it out and dry it on a rag. Then oil it as normal.

Also if you are careful, a day later the cr4p will settle at the bottom of the bottle so you can pour the paraffin back out and reuse most of it.

[anonymous-user]

Another vote for petrol and a Wippermann link. Leave it for an hour, blast with the compressor and lube.

[craigb84]

How often are you guys doing this? Or is it just a case of do it when it's needed?

[okgo]

My chain sounds like a bag of nails when pedalling as I rode in heavy rain on sunday. Otherwise maybe once a month.