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Old 06-03-10, 01:04 PM
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Cleaning products

I'm sure this has been asked before but I couldn't find it.

What do people use to clean their bikes? My Road bike has a bit of grime building up from commuting to work. I've cleaned the chain using a citrus degreaser, and re-lubed it, but I'm wondering for the frame itself. Do I just use soap and water, or are there any specialty products that I can use?

She's near brand new so I want to keep her in top shape.
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Old 06-03-10, 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Beerslinger
I'm sure this has been asked before but I couldn't find it.

What do people use to clean their bikes? My Road bike has a bit of grime building up from commuting to work. I've cleaned the chain using a citrus degreaser, and re-lubed it, but I'm wondering for the frame itself. Do I just use soap and water, or are there any specialty products that I can use?

She's near brand new so I want to keep her in top shape.
Soap and water works just about as well as anything. Use what you'd use on your car. Keep the direct spray of water away from bearing surfaces.
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Old 06-03-10, 02:39 PM
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I use windshiled washer fluid. I put it in an old Windex bottle, spray a bit on an old towel and start wiping.
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Old 06-03-10, 02:58 PM
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lemon Pledge
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Old 06-03-10, 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Taxi Rob
lemon Pledge
+1. Does a good cleaning job and your bike smells lemony fresh!

Actually it does work quite well. Another good thing to use is any automobile cleaner/polish.
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Old 06-06-10, 08:03 PM
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Go to your auto store and pick up this stuff in a purple bottle. Be careful it WILL take the finish on your bke. So dilute it or dont use a lot
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Old 06-06-10, 08:17 PM
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The best thing to clean your bikeframe is to use baby wipes. Are cheap and get rid off of everything right away w/o leaving marks or scratches. In the care are the bomb also! way better than any spray or cream product i have tried. If its good for a baby arss it is good for my bike
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Old 06-06-10, 10:12 PM
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I know several bike shops who use simple green to clean all parts of bikes. It works better than most solvent degreasers for cleaning engine blocks and bike chains. I keep some really diluted stuff in a spray bottle for the frame. Pour a bit in a chain washer with water and it works great for cleaning mtn bike chains.

Cheers, Adam
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Old 06-07-10, 08:10 AM
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When ever I get a really dirty and greasy bike I start with Purple Power mixed at 1 part cleaner and 3 parts water in a 1 gal pump sprayer and so far I haven't damaged the finish on any bicycle I have used it on,however I have seen it dull the finish on a few lawnmower decks. I just think most bicycles come with a better finish then some of the cheaper lawnmowers and a good wax brings back the shine on them. For just a general cleaning I use car wash and a sponge.
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Old 06-07-10, 08:18 AM
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I wipe my bikes down with WD 40 every couple of weeks. The cleaning properties of WD 40 surprised me and it looks wet even though it isn't. Just let it evaporate or dry before you ride or it gathers dust.

If I have tar, bugs or tough stuff, I use brake cleaner and follow up with WD 40.

I clean the rims with alcohol or Windex with amonia.
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