Bicycle Mechanics - Is there any way to "dry clean" a bike?

By dry clean I mean get it as clean as you would with water & mild soap or simple green, but with out any kind of liquid. I'm talking everything from the frame to the derailers to the chainrings, cassette & chain. Is there any method anyone knows of?

Don't think so. Even "dry cleaning" uses liquid, it's just that it's a non-water-based liquid. Every effective cleaning process uses liquid, because liquid can penetrate into cracks and holes and dissolve and dislodge small particles.

What's so bad about a rag and some Simple Green anyway? :)

I have had some success in cleaning my chains, bike and cogs with a microfibre cloth (a la Enjo).

jimmay

DUcati makes a magic cloth for motorcycle, it is suppose to be the absolute best wiping cloth in the world. I've never been able to buy one, always out of stock. Since even for "dry cleaning" a solution is used, would "bike lust" or automotic products such as "detail in a can" or "honda brite", however, this does not suit your definition (note Hoda brite is a motorcycle product, not available where you buy civics.

SUppose the Ducati Magic Cloth will also have the Panache factor

I sporadically use a can of compressed air to do that "dry cleaning". It works surprisingly well. If compressors weren't so damn expensive, I'd invest in one just to clean my bikes.

Sandblaster. Guaranteed to remove all dirt and grime. Leaves a nice satiny finish too.

Don't do it indoors.

Sandblaster. Guaranteed to remove all dirt and grime. Leaves a nice satiny finish too.

Don't do it indoors.

Goodbye clearcoat and paint.

Sandblaster. Guaranteed to remove all dirt and grime. Leaves a nice satiny finish too.

Don't do it indoors.

I take it you speak from experience with sandblasting indoors. How bad did you upset your wife when you did that? What kind of damage was done?

If compressors weren't so damn expensive, I'd invest in one just to clean my bikes.
For what you want they're not that expensive. Harbor Freight sells a "roofers" pancake compressor for about $90 and it will do anything you need on a bike. I've used it to drive a small framing gun. Also portable. You could even drive it off your car battery with an inverter (though I don't know for how long...).

You can sandblast with walnut-shells. Doesn't cause as deep pitting and take off paint like sand... Problem is it would probably stick and accumulate in areas with grease and oil, like the chain and where the BB-spindle and axles touch their seals...

You can sandblast with walnut-shells. Doesn't cause as deep pitting and take off paint like sand... Problem is it would probably stick and accumulate in areas with grease and oil, like the chain and where the BB-spindle and axles touch their seals...
A great suggestion. Though personally I prefer pecan shells.

:p

>>> You can sandblast with walnut-shells.

Hey 'Danno. You're a man of wide interests; you may like this one. The Navy used to clean the rotor vanes on their old [Korea era] jets with walnut hulls. They'd lash the plane to the deck, tach 'er up, and a "hero" would walk up to the intakes with a bushel of hulls and Hail-Mary-Filled-With-Grace!

For what you want they're not that expensive. Harbor Freight sells a "roofers" pancake compressor for about $90 and it will do anything you need on a bike. I've used it to drive a small framing gun. Also portable. You could even drive it off your car battery with an inverter (though I don't know for how long...).


Linky?

Baby wipes are good for cleaning all parts of the bike then wipe dry with a microfibre cloth and gives a nice shine.

Linky?
Google is your friend! :D

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38898
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42321
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90385
This is the one I had. (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90221) Nice little compressor for taking to the job. (I use a big Porter Cable in the shop.) Got it on sale for about $90 or so.

All other things being equal, the larger SCFM @ 90psi rating is what you want. But form factor and weight might be more important. You won't be stressing the compressor with work on a bike.

Check if there's a Harbor Freight store in your area and save on shipping.

DriWash n' Gaurd is a great product. It's designed for automobiles. I've been using it for years on my car. Don't see why it wouldn't work on a bike...

Try this: