Bicycle Mechanics - Cleaning derailleur pivots?

I had a low speed crash a while back on my road bike on some sand that a road construction crew had left on a steel manhole cover. The bike went down on the right hand side and my Ultegra RD got hit quite hard. Worst of all, though was the fact that it got covered in sand. There is now sand in all the pivots.

Any suggestions for how to get it out? I have spent ages with a rag and a small screwdriver but can't shift it all.

Can I just flood it with degreaser and hope? I considered a high pressure hose but was worried that would drive the sand in further.

I have used WD40 with the red straw to flush sensitive parts before. Cleaned and lubed at the same time.

If the WD40 blast doesn't work, it might not be hard (depending on the derailleur) to take it apart. The springs might be tricky to get back into their proper positions (again, depending on the derailleur), but if it comes apart, it will go back together. It's not vey complicated.

High pressure compressed air. Helps to have your own compressor.

Then there is always this option:

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=68265&page=SHIMANO+ULTEGRA+RD-6500+REAR+DERAILLEUR

Or, take the thing off the bike. Clean it as well as you can. And then hit it hard with the fastest velocity water jet your house can manage. I would think that would blast it out as clean as it was to begin with. Then let it dry and apply some light oil. And go.

jim

I'd try WD40, then compressed air.