dish soap to clean chain?
07-10-10, 05:18 PM
#26
David H.
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Lots of good anectdotal information and I got a good chuckle with the Park Chain cleaner reply... Mine has been totally hidden by cobwebs before....
I was an engineer in a past life so I tend to over-think everything... I cannot agree more with SB's page covering the entire spectrum of chains.
Here is a link:
https://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html
It helped me a lot as I went missing from bicycles for 31 years and a lot had changed in the types of lubes and the types of chains available... Sheldon's articles (as always) brought me back down to earth and helped filter out the more radical stuff I had been hearing.
The part about chain cleaning is further down the page. Hope it helps!
I was an engineer in a past life so I tend to over-think everything... I cannot agree more with SB's page covering the entire spectrum of chains.
Here is a link:
https://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html
It helped me a lot as I went missing from bicycles for 31 years and a lot had changed in the types of lubes and the types of chains available... Sheldon's articles (as always) brought me back down to earth and helped filter out the more radical stuff I had been hearing.
The part about chain cleaning is further down the page. Hope it helps!
Last edited by HDavidH; 07-10-10 at 08:33 PM.
07-10-10, 05:41 PM
#27
Lost
07-10-10, 07:51 PM
#28
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I used dawn (and water) after spraying my chain with simple green, along with Performance bicycle's chain cleaner.
The result, was a like-new shiny chain. After lubing with Dumonde Tech, the shifting was smooth, the chain was subtle.
The result, was a like-new shiny chain. After lubing with Dumonde Tech, the shifting was smooth, the chain was subtle.
07-10-10, 08:35 PM
#30
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My method Mineral Sprits but in two diffrent small cans, Can #1 pre wash shake it, it gets dirty fast! Remove wipe a little place in #2 cleaner Mineral Sprits shake remove hang dry or wipe, I then place chain in Hot Wax with a little DuraLube soak for at least 15 min and hang to drip and cool.
Install and ride good for several hundred miles with no maintence between rides and no black mess on chain at all.
O yes when can #1 gets real dirty I dump I use #2 as #1 and #2 gets new dose of Mineral Sprits and it starts all over.
Install and ride good for several hundred miles with no maintence between rides and no black mess on chain at all.
O yes when can #1 gets real dirty I dump I use #2 as #1 and #2 gets new dose of Mineral Sprits and it starts all over.
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07-10-10, 08:47 PM
#31
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I'm a cheapskate, so I do take care of my chains, including regular measurement for wear.
I shy away from hydrocarbon solvents and use citrus-based ones. These do a fine job and can be had at a reasonable price. I don't use anything fancy for scrubbing. An old toothbrush works fine.
I shy away from hydrocarbon solvents and use citrus-based ones. These do a fine job and can be had at a reasonable price. I don't use anything fancy for scrubbing. An old toothbrush works fine.
07-10-10, 09:16 PM
#32
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07-10-10, 09:39 PM
#33
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OP: I thought you take your bike to the LBS for this kind of stuff 
Last edited by tuxbailey; 07-10-10 at 09:42 PM.
07-10-10, 11:27 PM
#34
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Not necessarily. If you use something that's abrasive enough, it can cause the chain to break prematurely. Anyone who has snapped a chain or had one come off while standing knows how dangerous that can be.
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07-10-10, 11:30 PM
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had a rear cassette crack once also same result!
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07-10-10, 11:41 PM
#36
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What was the result in yours? Mine was the family jewels to the top tube and a foot on the ground grinding the cleat and sole down. Lucky according to the people who saw me do it.
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07-10-10, 11:50 PM
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When the chain broke ya family jewels took most of it shoe hit the ground like you, when the rear cog cracked luckily family jewels were spared 
but the back on my ankle got jacked from the pedal when my foot came off in front of it and hit the ground which did stop me short from hitting the family jewels that time so that was a good thing. 
but the back on my ankle got jacked from the pedal when my foot came off in front of it and hit the ground which did stop me short from hitting the family jewels that time so that was a good thing.
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It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
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It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
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07-11-10, 07:35 PM
#38
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07-11-10, 08:44 PM
#39
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I use Dumonde Tech for chain lube- they recommend soap and water for cleaning the chain, not solvents (see www.hgnr.com).
07-11-10, 09:05 PM
#40
Plz refer to rule #5
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dish soap is fine. just make sure to fine mist with hose to get all soap off, let dry completely, and re-lube
07-12-10, 08:22 AM
#41
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I use mine (Park brand) about once a month, and have had it for a year and a half. No problems with it. I use it with mineral spirits, and I'll probably have to replace the sponge soon, but otherwise it's been fine.
07-12-10, 08:37 AM
#42
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I find Simple Green to be far superior to Dawn in terms of degreasing ability, but it might depend on what type of lube you've used. I tend to use Pedro's Ice Wax in dry weather and Finish Line Wet Lube in wet. Simple Green does a good job on both.
I try to limit my exposure to the organic non polar solvents like mineral spirits, turpentine (including pet distillates like gasoline, kerosene) etc. Not easy to dispose of (properly) and repeated skin contact is apparently not very good for your liver.
I try to limit my exposure to the organic non polar solvents like mineral spirits, turpentine (including pet distillates like gasoline, kerosene) etc. Not easy to dispose of (properly) and repeated skin contact is apparently not very good for your liver.
07-12-10, 09:05 AM
#43
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Pro Link cleans and lubricates. All I use 90% of the time. If the chain is really grimey I'll use a citrus degreaser in a chain cleaning tool.
I doubt regular soaking in kerosen, mineral spirits, etc. are going to extend the life of the chain much, and I 'm certain they're not going to extend it enough to be worth the hassle to me. YMMV.
I doubt regular soaking in kerosen, mineral spirits, etc. are going to extend the life of the chain much, and I 'm certain they're not going to extend it enough to be worth the hassle to me. YMMV.
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07-12-10, 09:35 AM
#44
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When the chain broke ya family jewels took most of it shoe hit the ground like you, when the rear cog cracked luckily family jewels were spared but the back on my ankle got jacked from the pedal when my foot came off in front of it and hit the ground which did stop me short from hitting the family jewels that time so that was a good thing.
but the back on my ankle got jacked from the pedal when my foot came off in front of it and hit the ground which did stop me short from hitting the family jewels that time so that was a good thing.
07-12-10, 09:36 AM
#45
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03-25-21, 09:49 AM
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Soap is a degreaser. Soap is good! Not the best, but still better than nothing.
I soak mine in fuel every once in a while to remove gunk and other residues. Shines like a new every time!
I soak mine in fuel every once in a while to remove gunk and other residues. Shines like a new every time!
03-25-21, 09:53 AM
#47
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I wonder how the chain is doing, 11 years later.
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03-25-21, 09:55 AM
#48
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Since someone resurrected this thread from 2010, I’ll share what i’ve learned over the past 10+ years.
I’ve learned that degreaser does not work for wax lube, and will serve only to remove the original lube on a chain.
I’ve learned that dish soap is OK but not ideal.
So I use Simple Green Bike Cleaner/Degreaser, and an old toothbrush.
I’ve learned that degreaser does not work for wax lube, and will serve only to remove the original lube on a chain.
I’ve learned that dish soap is OK but not ideal.
So I use Simple Green Bike Cleaner/Degreaser, and an old toothbrush.
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03-25-21, 09:59 AM
#49
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Since someone resurrected this thread from 2010, I’ll share what i’ve learned over the past 10+ years.
I’ve learned that degreaser does not work for wax lube, and will serve only to remove the original lube on a chain.
I’ve learned that dish soap is OK but not ideal.
So I use Simple Green Bike Cleaner/Degreaser, and an old toothbrush.
I’ve learned that degreaser does not work for wax lube, and will serve only to remove the original lube on a chain.
I’ve learned that dish soap is OK but not ideal.
So I use Simple Green Bike Cleaner/Degreaser, and an old toothbrush.
Thanks for the report!