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What to use to safely clean your frame?

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What to use to safely clean your frame?

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Old 01-13-11, 07:50 PM
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Dcmkx2000
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What to use to safely clean your frame?

On my aluminum bike with a clear coat I actually waxed it when I first got it, then I just use Windex and a paper towel to clean it.

Have a new carbon bike with a matte finish so I wont be waxing it. Just got it back from the lbs who put a Rival group on the bike and there are a few greasy finger prints and some grease around the BB. Can I use Windex and a paper towel?
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Old 01-13-11, 08:02 PM
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You can use Windex, but I would not continue to use it over the life of the bike. Use something a little more gentle like this: https://www.finishlineusa.com/products/bike-wash.htm

Or you can use a diluted car type wash as it should be OK with the top coat.
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Old 01-13-11, 08:03 PM
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Buy a tub of baby wipes or the automotive equivalent.
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Old 01-13-11, 08:20 PM
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Pledge Wipes when I'm lazy
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Old 01-13-11, 08:37 PM
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Wet rag. Some soap, or a citrus degreaser if you need it.

It's a tool not a jewel. Also it's not nearly as fragile a tool as people seem to think.
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Old 01-13-11, 08:42 PM
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Chris R.
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Plexus FTW.
https://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/frames.html
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Old 01-13-11, 08:47 PM
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Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
Wet rag. Some soap, or a citrus degreaser if you need it.

It's a tool not a jewel. Also it's not nearly as fragile a tool as people seem to think.
This. When I'm bored, I use some Pedros Bike Lust to make her shine. The Bike Lust also makes subsequent cleanings easier.

I'm not sure how Bike Lust would work on a matte finish though, it would be interesting to find out.
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Old 01-13-11, 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by alpha_bravo
This. When I'm bored, I use some Pedros Bike Lust to make her shine. The Bike Lust also makes subsequent cleanings easier.

I'm not sure how Bike Lust would work on a matte finish though, it would be interesting to find out.
I love the smell of Bike Lust.
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Old 01-13-11, 09:15 PM
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Simple Green, with a finish wipe of Pledge, for that lemony fresh smell.
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Old 01-13-11, 10:07 PM
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Dawn dish soap in the original blue.

Barring that, kerosene and fire.
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Old 01-13-11, 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by mmmdonuts
Buy a tub of baby wipes or the automotive equivalent.
+1
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Old 01-13-11, 10:17 PM
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Meguiar's Quick Detailer for painted parts.
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Old 01-13-11, 11:33 PM
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Originally Posted by nathan84318
Simple Green, with a finish wipe of Pledge, for that lemony fresh smell.
+1.
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Old 01-13-11, 11:51 PM
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Originally Posted by epenthetic
Dawn dish soap in the original blue.

Barring that, kerosene and fire.
You should just skip right to the kerosene and fire. Dawn is more abrasive.
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Old 01-13-11, 11:53 PM
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Being from Canada, eh, I get a great discount on baby-seal furs... so soft and plush, nothing is better for wiping filthy oil off your ride!
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Old 01-13-11, 11:56 PM
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old tee shirt with simple green
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Old 01-14-11, 01:22 AM
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Sandblaster.

If you ride steel.

Edit...use any cleaning solution, the clear coat will handle most solutions no problemo.

Last edited by rustybrown; 01-14-11 at 01:23 AM. Reason: Hail Seitan.
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Old 01-14-11, 01:48 AM
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Dish soap. Simple green iss fine but it can be corrosive so make sure you rinse it all off.
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Old 01-14-11, 03:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Dcmkx2000
On my aluminum bike with a clear coat I actually waxed it when I first got it, then I just use Windex and a paper towel to clean it.

Have a new carbon bike with a matte finish so I wont be waxing it. Just got it back from the lbs who put a Rival group on the bike and there are a few greasy finger prints and some grease around the BB. Can I use Windex and a paper towel?
fingerprints
wait until your first bad weather ride

My bike is still covered with mud from the last ride. Since it is raining anyway all the time, why bother polishing it every time? Otherwise I use any rag and the cheapest bike cleaning liquid I could find at the online shop. Occasionally I have used Shimano bike polish spray.
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Old 01-14-11, 07:02 AM
  #20  
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I'll have to ask my butler what he cleans my bike with.
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Old 01-14-11, 07:24 AM
  #21  
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Mostly I use rain. Sometimes I use baby wipes (seriously).
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Old 01-14-11, 07:34 AM
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Green Scotchbrite pad... but I have a Ti bike.
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Old 01-14-11, 07:44 AM
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garden hose, various brushes, dishwashing soap in a pan of hot water, old towels to dry off bike. Kerosene and a toothbrush for cleaning the cassette, chainrings, derailleurs. Pedro chainwashing gizmo I got for Christmas.

Mother's carnauba wax afterwards on the frame, fork.

Then the bike looks too pretty to ride so it's a good thing the garage is full of them.
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Old 01-14-11, 09:37 AM
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Originally Posted by urbanknight
You should just skip right to the kerosene and fire. Dawn is more abrasive.
Sure, just bring your bike by for a cleaning this weekend.
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Old 01-14-11, 09:52 AM
  #25  
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dishwashing soap. i used to use all purpose kitchen cleaning liquid like simple green but found that it leaves a residue if not rinsed off properly. dishsoap washes off more easily.
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