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Cleaning bicycle?

Old 09-07-21, 02:14 AM
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ljuboklc
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Cleaning bicycle?

Anyone can tell, what is a good product for cleaning a bicycle? I did use washing up the liquid mix with water. Thanks.
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Old 09-07-21, 03:03 AM
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That’s what I use. Wd40 works well to get some stubborn grease/oil stains off paintwork. And a good set of brushes.
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Old 09-07-21, 04:56 AM
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indyfabz
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Dawn & warm water.
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Old 09-07-21, 05:17 AM
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Dish detergent with water, in a spray bottle. Wipe off with clean rags. Use OMS on stubborn tar or grease.
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Old 09-07-21, 07:13 AM
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+1 for Dawn and a bucket of water.

I've posted this link before, and Lon's method works great:

Two notes: FIrst, the brush he calls out is still the only one I've seen that doesn't collect grease and grime. I ordered mine from Home Depot a while back.

Second, Lon gently corrected me on the chain sequence. Wipe the chain down with a dry rag, and re-lube before washing the rest of the bike. This means the fresh lube doesn't hold wash water inside the chain.

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Old 09-07-21, 07:28 AM
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Unless its super dirty I hit it with a spray detailer I use on my motorcycles. I spray it until wet, wipe off with a clean microfiber and then buff it out. If it is way dirty then dawn or the like before hand. I also have a park cyclone chain cleaner I use and I "floss" the cassette with a shop towel and it works great to get the gunk from between the cogs.
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Old 09-07-21, 08:33 AM
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I just use Simple Green or something like that. Last night I used household cleaner to clean up the frame of my old bike which I'm putting back together. It had been stored in a shed and got quite dirty. Just the kitchen cleaner and a rag cleaned it up nicely.
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Old 09-07-21, 09:05 AM
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I just use those pre-moistened towels that come in a big tub or container. Pretty much any will do, I just buy what ever is available where ever I happen to be when I remember that I need more.

I haven't had need to spray off a bike since my kids grew up and quit riding in the mud.

Wiping a bike off has gotten much easier since they started doing more internal cable routing.
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Old 09-07-21, 10:02 PM
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I really like the Muc Off pink bike cleaner. Does a good job on our road and mountain bikes.
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Old 09-07-21, 11:15 PM
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After cleaning the chain with ATF I hit the bike with the hose, fair pressure, water only. If its really dirty with sticky mud or clay then I use laundry detergent with a soft long bristled brush like a 4" paint brush. After getting the dirt off I hit the bike with my leaf blower and blow all the residual water off of it. Then I spray the entire bike with Armorall Tire Foam (brand specific). I get the foam on every thing. I then take dry clean rags and wipe it all off. The Armorall Tire Foam treats all parts of the bike well and gets along with metal, plastic and cloth. It also leaves a thin layer of protection on the surface. After wiping off all the tire foam carefully oil the chain and other spots.

I have tried using other tire foams and have found them not as friendly with my rattle can paint jobs, or that they leave a heavy layer of silicone on the surfaces. The Armorall Tire Foam has been the best.
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Old 09-08-21, 06:19 AM
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My bike doesn't get very dirty, just dusty from the bike path. Dilute Simple Green and a spray of water at low pressure cleans it up nice.

Last time I cleaned it, I applied a ceramic coating from Mother's afterward, which came in a little spray bottle, and I applied it with a cloth to all painted surfaces. If it works as advertised the wash water will rinse away all the dust super easy.
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Old 09-09-21, 03:46 PM
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I dont clean my bikes, but drivetrain, brakes, etc are cleaned every ride.
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