General Cycling Discussion - Cleaing chain/cassette with turps/white spirit.

I was going to clean my chain with white spirit, as im sure it'll be the best thing to give it a good clean. although I was worried it may do some damage? what do you think?

Cheers.

I just got done cleaning my chain,used my park tool chain scrubber with simple green and it looks great and it was easy,total of 10 min.

Given that your chain is made from steel, solvents such as mineral spirits, gasoline, WD40, etc. will do no damage. In order to damage your chain, you would need to use a substance that reacts with steel. I would avoid things like muriatic acid, bleach, and dishwashing detergent - all of which can be corrosive to various metals.

Generally, you can just use a little common sense. Avoid using gasoline or other highly volatile fluids to reduce the risk of serious fire. After all, it's just a bike chain. They're cheap.

I just got done cleaning my chain,used my park tool chain scrubber with simple green and it looks great and it was easy,total of 10 min

sigh!!

Does nobody ever read the posts on this subject?

Simple green contains detergent. You need a solvent for your chain. Use simple green on outer surfaces, but use a solvent, such as mineral spirits or citrus solvent on your chain!

thank you.

Simple green is a degreaser and many other things but i was just saying how i clean my chain as an example.I would say it makes a difference if you lube or wax,i wax.

Regardless, you are getting detergent inside the rollers of your chain when you use simple green. Detergent molecules attach themselves to the lubricant molecules and remove the lubricant from the surface. This happens withn either wax or oil. Detergents should not be used to clean moving parts such as bearings and chains.

Any good degreaser will work you do not need to use solvents I shy away from them cause the fumes are damaging to your lungs and they are harmful to your skin. I use a orange degreaser but I know people who use dawn dish soap. I have been doing this for years and it has not caused any harm to my 20 year old or 14 year old bike.

I use dawn to wash my bike and its great.I feel safe using simple green and of course after cleaning your chain you relube or wax everything real good.Never seen or had a problem with it on any of my bikes.