Cleaning my steel bicycle...
06-15-13, 07:15 PM
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Cleaning my steel bicycle...
Just curious what the best way to clean my steel bike, knowing water is the enemy!
Was thinking using a rag and wiping it down with either:
- pledge multisurface cleaner (says it's ok for metal),
- some kind of water/soap mixture, or
- something else??
and then wipe it down after this with a dry soft cloth.
Thoughts?
Was thinking using a rag and wiping it down with either:
- pledge multisurface cleaner (says it's ok for metal),
- some kind of water/soap mixture, or
- something else??
and then wipe it down after this with a dry soft cloth.
Thoughts?
06-15-13, 08:45 PM
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I've washed my bikes (steel and aluminum) for decades with soap and water. As long as you dry it off completely and keep the chain lubed you'll be fine.
Lemon Pledge is a great between-washes cleaner. It degreases and leaves the bike smelling lemony-fresh.
Lemon Pledge is a great between-washes cleaner. It degreases and leaves the bike smelling lemony-fresh.
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06-15-13, 09:36 PM
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When I was compulsive about the appearance of my steel frames I used auto polish...sure did shine up nice. I've also used Pledge and WD40 with good effect.
06-19-13, 09:29 PM
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Just curious what the best way to clean my steel bike, knowing water is the enemy!
Was thinking using a rag and wiping it down with either:
- pledge multisurface cleaner (says it's ok for metal),
- some kind of water/soap mixture, or
- something else??
and then wipe it down after this with a dry soft cloth.
Thoughts?
Was thinking using a rag and wiping it down with either:
- pledge multisurface cleaner (says it's ok for metal),
- some kind of water/soap mixture, or
- something else??
and then wipe it down after this with a dry soft cloth.
Thoughts?
Matt
06-20-13, 04:51 AM
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Soap and water with a soft brush and rag, no high pressure hoses. On my old Raleigh Sports I used to just wipe it down with a lightly oiled rag, that kept the lacquer fresh for years and kept the rust to a minimum. On some of my nicer bikes I might put a coat of wax on them to help with the cleanup and to protect the finish.
Pledge sounds like a decent idea. I know that Meguiar's makes a whole line of products that clean and protect. Their Scratch-X product is awesome for helping bring vintage bicycle finishes back to life.
Aaron
Pledge sounds like a decent idea. I know that Meguiar's makes a whole line of products that clean and protect. Their Scratch-X product is awesome for helping bring vintage bicycle finishes back to life.
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
