Originally Posted by
noglider
WD40 is kinda-sorta OK for degreasing. Sometimes it's good enough when the grease isn't too hard or dry. I use it when it's all I have. Alcohol isn't very good. It's fine to wipe the WD40 out with a rag or paper towel, and you don't need alcohol to clear out the WD40.
Mineral spirits is better for degreasing in general, and it's great for when the grease is hard or dry.
+100 You can use WD40 to clean stuff, but then just wipe it off. Don't depend upon it for lubrication, cuz it's not. Works ok on chains to clean some of the crud out (I use Dupont chain cleaner myself, though).
If you absolutely have to get the WD40 out (compulsive much?) use min spirits.
Even better, skip the WD40 and just clean with min spirits. Drip/air dry. Or wipe off excess with paper towels.
There seems to be a number of proposed multistep theories (including an incredibly stupid one: gasoline/degreaser/alcohol). No benefit to these, much messier, more dangerous (NEVER USE GASOLINE FOR ANYTHING ON A BIKE), and, well, just stupid.
Min spirits is one step, works well, and doesn't need to be removed - it will dry.