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Spray-on cleaner for shifters

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Old 05-01-23, 12:16 PM
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travelerman
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Spray-on cleaner for shifters

I'm replacing my Shimano Ultegra rubber brake hoods, and prior to their arrival: While I have them off, (planning on leaving the shifters in place on the handlebars), with the shifter mechanism exposed, is there a once-and-done cleaner that will work to get any grime off of them, and lubricate at the same time? I've seen recommendations for WD-40 then a soak in mineral oil - for when you have them pulled and are able to place them in a small receptacle - I just do not plan on getting that involved with them.
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Old 05-01-23, 01:08 PM
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I just turn the bike upside down and spray ample amounts of WD-40 into the mechanism, working the shifter up and down the gears several times.

After everything dries completely, I might put a couple drops of oil on the moving parts. Or not. Those shifters don't seem to need much lubrication.
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Old 05-03-23, 07:05 AM
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No need to pull, search on YouTube for "shimano STI shifter" and dozens of how to video's come up, many from quality shops doing it slightly differently and they all work.
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Old 05-03-23, 12:05 PM
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whatever vids I've seen, the presenter sprays w/ WD40
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Old 05-03-23, 09:37 PM
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WD40 can be had with silicone. https://www.amazon.com/WD-40-Special...00&sr=8-2&th=1
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Old 05-03-23, 09:52 PM
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I would look at using a brake cleaner, will leave no residue and dries pretty quickly, then you can drop a couple of drops of lubricant on the moving parts. I hate the residue that WD-40 leaves behind.
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Old 06-17-23, 03:11 PM
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Originally Posted by travelerman
is there a once-and-done cleaner that will work to get any grime off of them, and lubricate at the same time?.
I use Lucas CLP(Clean. Lubricate.Protect) or Ballistol. It’s mostly used for cleaning guns but I find it to be excellent with cleaning and lubricating bike parts.

I sprayed my “creaky” bottom bracket and it went away after my LBS says that there was nothing wrong with my BB.

They sell the Lucas stuff in Oreillys, depending where you live.
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Old 06-21-23, 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by popeye
Thread Drift: Man, the WD40 company has gotten so diversified in their offerings that they no longer have what was potentially their greatest strength in the market...that, because of how limited their offerings were -- remember, up until ~10 years ago all they made was one product, "WD40" -- everybody in the company was practically a Subject Matter Expert! The receptionist who answered telephones at the front desk could probably tell you everything there was to know about "WD40".
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Old 06-21-23, 09:44 AM
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Originally Posted by terrymorse
I just turn the bike upside down and spray ample amounts of WD-40 into the mechanism, working the shifter up and down the gears several times.

After everything dries completely, I might put a couple drops of oil on the moving parts. Or not. Those shifters don't seem to need much lubrication.
I do the same - sometimes will follow WD-40 with a few squirts of Tri-Flow (or not) ... the Tri-Flow adds the ‘banana smell’ lol

we have a number of bikes with Shimano Rapidfire and Dual Control shifters that sat for years untouched - many for decades - WD-40 was the fix for all

we keep multiple cans of WD-40 in a few different locations around our house - that stuff is versatile

you know you are old when you can recall when WD-40 first began to appear
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