Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.McDave
05-29-07, 10:43 AM
A question often asked is "What tools do I need to work on bikes?". Other than the usual hand tools, there are also the chemical tools. Lots and lots of chemical tools...
http://www.buggytexas.com/images/chemicals.jpg
Here the list of my favorites above, left to right:
Lexol leather cleaner, plus Proofide or your favorite leather treatment (my saddle wax is missing in action)
Linseed Oil for treating frames (also see Amsoil HDMP below)
Neatsfoot oil for treating and darkening leathers
Goo Gone for removing sticky stuff
Mineral Spirits for cleaning parts
Synthetic Chainsaw oil (handy 4oz size) for soaking new chains, mix 50/50 with mineral spirits for servicing chains on bike
Meguiar's Quik Detail Wax.
Meguiar's Liquid (or paste) wax.
3M Swirl Mark Remover for removing wax swirls - good stuff.
303 Aerospace Cleaner and Protectant for all plastics, vinyls, and rubbers - contains no silicons, much better than Armoral type products.
Permatex Thread Locker for threads you want locked such as fender stay and chainring bolts. (medium strength blue for most uses, red is more permanent)
Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound removes old paint, use carefully.
Turtle Wax Polishing compound polishes old paint, will also remove some, use carefully.
Mothers Mag & Aluminum polish - my favorite for alloy parts.
B12 Chemtool for cleaning stubborn grease on metal parts. Caution: will damage paint, vinyls, and plastics.
Paint Stripper.
Blue Magic Liquid Metal Polish - Good stuff, particularly on chrome.
Turtle Wax Chrome Polish - also good stuff, more liquid works easier on larger surfaces.
Never Dull - great for cleaning metals like rims and spokes quickly, needs to be followed up with a good metal polish for best results though, imo.
Wax and Grease remover for treating metal surfaces before painting.
Amsoil Metal Protectant - Good stuff.
Amsoil Heavy Duty Metal Protectant - Better stuff, particularly for treating chains and frames - leaves a waxy protective residue.
WD 40 - Generic metal protectant, penetrant, and cleaner - a household staple along with duct tape.
PB Blaster Penetrating Catalyst (not shown) - The best rust buster available to the general public, imo. (Zep makes one even better, just not readily available).
White Grease (Lithium) for spraying into cable housings.
Lubriplate Marine Grease (not shown, all out) Cheap, waterproof, very effective (and the right consistency) bearing grease.
Oxalic acid (not shown) for neutralizing rust.
Also missing is Orange Citrus Cleaner or Simple Green.
Add your favorite chemicals HERE.
http://www.buggytexas.com/images/chemicals.jpg
Here the list of my favorites above, left to right:
Lexol leather cleaner, plus Proofide or your favorite leather treatment (my saddle wax is missing in action)
Linseed Oil for treating frames (also see Amsoil HDMP below)
Neatsfoot oil for treating and darkening leathers
Goo Gone for removing sticky stuff
Mineral Spirits for cleaning parts
Synthetic Chainsaw oil (handy 4oz size) for soaking new chains, mix 50/50 with mineral spirits for servicing chains on bike
Meguiar's Quik Detail Wax.
Meguiar's Liquid (or paste) wax.
3M Swirl Mark Remover for removing wax swirls - good stuff.
303 Aerospace Cleaner and Protectant for all plastics, vinyls, and rubbers - contains no silicons, much better than Armoral type products.
Permatex Thread Locker for threads you want locked such as fender stay and chainring bolts. (medium strength blue for most uses, red is more permanent)
Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound removes old paint, use carefully.
Turtle Wax Polishing compound polishes old paint, will also remove some, use carefully.
Mothers Mag & Aluminum polish - my favorite for alloy parts.
B12 Chemtool for cleaning stubborn grease on metal parts. Caution: will damage paint, vinyls, and plastics.
Paint Stripper.
Blue Magic Liquid Metal Polish - Good stuff, particularly on chrome.
Turtle Wax Chrome Polish - also good stuff, more liquid works easier on larger surfaces.
Never Dull - great for cleaning metals like rims and spokes quickly, needs to be followed up with a good metal polish for best results though, imo.
Wax and Grease remover for treating metal surfaces before painting.
Amsoil Metal Protectant - Good stuff.
Amsoil Heavy Duty Metal Protectant - Better stuff, particularly for treating chains and frames - leaves a waxy protective residue.
WD 40 - Generic metal protectant, penetrant, and cleaner - a household staple along with duct tape.
PB Blaster Penetrating Catalyst (not shown) - The best rust buster available to the general public, imo. (Zep makes one even better, just not readily available).
White Grease (Lithium) for spraying into cable housings.
Lubriplate Marine Grease (not shown, all out) Cheap, waterproof, very effective (and the right consistency) bearing grease.
Oxalic acid (not shown) for neutralizing rust.
Also missing is Orange Citrus Cleaner or Simple Green.
Add your favorite chemicals HERE.