Originally Posted by
Doohickie
I'm in the middle of the same process. I basically use WD-40 and a towel, or nylon scouring pad, or in some cases 0000 steel wool on chrome plated parts (although most advise against using steel wool on chrome; brass wool is better).
+1 on using WD-40 to clean/degrease the components. And a nylon scouring-pad. That should take off the vast majority of grease/grime. If you want ot get really fancy, you could buff the components that are (or should be/were) shiny with a good metal-polish. Such as the German perennial - Simichrome. I'd try to stay away from abrasives if at all possible. Such as steel wool. Brass wool is much kinder - but can still scratch.
Be sure all is dry before you re-assemble. And grease threads and oil all pivots.