Bicycle Mechanics - cleaning the bike

What kind of cleaning compound do I use to clean my bike frame?

cmollat

Dish soap and water works.
Fancy bike degreaser works.
Simple Green works.
All Purpose degreaser (409, 'Orange' degreaser) works.

I personally like Simple Green in diluted strength for most of the bike, full strength for cain and cogs. Some people worry that Simple Green can cause corrosion, but it works for me.

Whatever you use, rinse well but don't direct pressure spray at any bearings or you might get water in them. Water in the bearings is a bad thing.

Keep it simple and go ride.

I use Simple Green. The bottle says "don't let it stand on Al longer than 5 mins.". I don't let it soak in SG, it looks great, and I have never had a problem with Al corrosion. ;)


Another hint for SG. It is the best bug remover for autos I have EVER tried! Just wet the bugs, spray on SG, wait 5 mins. rub them with a car washing sponge and rinse them off, works great!

Do not used any powder dishwashing or laundry soap because they can scratch the paint no matter how well it appeared to have dissolved. Liquid dish washing soap is fine. Simple Green works on the stubborn stuff without damaging paint. I use the Finish Line Bike Wash only because it has a rust inhibitor and my bike is steel, but it does work as well as Simple Green if not better at dissolving road stains. I also wax my bike with a non abrasive car wax because auto wax is far superior to bike specific wax or especially Pledge; I use Mequires Gold, but Mothers is also excellent, and Zymol is a great natural wax but being natural you have to wax more frequently.

What kind of cleaning compound do I use to clean my bike frame?

cmollat

my LBS recommended i use fantastic or windex. something not overly harsh.

I use some biodegradable carwash soap on my bikes. If I'm out of that, I've been known to use laundry detergent in the past but I'm not sure if that's a really good idea.

Dishwashing soap is really bad for paint. But, I don't have any stinkin' paint. :)

Dishwashing soap is really bad for paint. But, I don't have any stinkin' paint. :)

Hmm... neither do I. My bikes are nude but they do have a clearcoat lacquer.

Dishwasing liquid is fine but you need to wax after. IT strips all the wax off. It is better to use a wax friendly soad for your wash and use a dish soap ever 4 washes than apply some wax. This is good for cars also.

I use rubbing alcohol and a soft rag for the road bike. I wax after every cleaning.

I use rubbing alcohol and a soft rag for the road bike. I wax after every cleaning.

I use Finish Line Frame Polish but I've been tempted to use Maguires carwax.

I just use a sponge and a bucket of warm water to wipe down the bike every time I clean and lube my chain. This seems to do the trick. Of course I don't ride off-road and my road bike is painted flat black. My hybrid is shiny silver.