I've used up the bottle of Park CB-2 that came with the chain cleaner, which works pretty well, both in terms of cleaning and shining the chain, then I cheaped out and got a bottle of ZEP citrus degreaser for cleaning chain. I did rinse/dry the chain after using degreaser on it, but after a while the chain looks dull and doesn't have that new chain shine anymore. Clean, yes, shiny clean, not so much. And I'm still too cheap to pony up for another bottle of CB-2...$13 for 16oz is no match against ZEP's $12 for a gallon...so is there a cheaper solution that makes the chain(and possibly cassette) shine again?

Elbow grease is cheap and effective.

Simple Green Pro HD (specially formulated for metal and can be found at Home Depot) diluted 1:3 combined with the Finish Line chain cleaner gets my chain shiny.

Mineral spirits

I use simple green crystal at a 1 to 1 ratio with water for cleaning chains, as well as other things. It doesn't seem to leave any residue. But I lube with White Lightning so my chains only look shiny in the space of time between drying and reapplication of lube.

Buy a new chain, that is Nickel Plated.

Make way for the industrial products cleaning crew ....

If the chain is clean to your satisfaction and properly lubricated, you could apply a coat of furniture wax to the outside plates. I've never done this myself but I've used Pledge on bike frames and there's no reason, aside from the oily surface of the links, that it won't leave a wax finish that you can polish. I would spray it on a cloth and then pass the chain through while back-pedaling the bike.

What is with the recent rash of excessive chain cleanliness threads?

Riding weather!

This!

The riding season is upon us, and people are finally getting their bikes dirty?