skydive69

There is nothing that speaks of bicycle care in my opinion as a sparkling clean cassette. I noted the other day that the bicycle mechanic who does the work on my bicycles had an incredibly clean cassette. I asked him if he removed it to clean it to which he replied in the affirmative. I bought a chain whip lock ring remover, and removed one of the cassettes from one of my bikes yesterday and cleaned it. The results were great, but it was a messy experience. I thought perhaps a small parts washer would be the way to go. I know the endless techniques for cleaning cassettes on bikes, but I direct this to someone who uses a parts washer of some type, and cleans their cassette off the bike. What do you use? I'm looking for ideas. Thanks.

vpiuva

I just use a small bucket and fill it some with cleaner, put the parts in and agitate by hand, use a toothbrush, and I also like spray cans of cleaner with the plastic straws. Really let you blast grime off.

If you do a thread search for "ultrasonic" [cleaning] there have been some standard parts washers suggested in those, too.

skydive69

Basically, that is the technique I used for my first try - just trying to see if someone has a bit higher tech approach.

RussB

I clean my cassette right on the bike. I use a small pan with degreaser and water. And how do I clean the cassette?....pipecleaners. With the bike on a stand and the pipecleaner saturated. From above the cassette, run the pipecleaner underneath and back up the other side and hold both ends. so with the pipecleaner in the shape of the letter U , and holding both ends, pull up on one side, then the other. the wheel will rotate a little. With this rocking action you can clean between the gears pretty quickly. I got mine at a craft store. They have many different sizes. I got large ones made of cloth. They work great and it only takes a few minutes. I clean my cassette whenever I clean the chain.

skydive69

That does sound like a great idea. How are they marked in a craft store in that I wouldn't think they would be selling something specifically marked as pipe cleaners. I assume that a place like Michaels would have them. Any specific info on the product will be appreciated in that I think I am going to give that a try.

RussB

I got mine at A.C.Moore, they were in with all the other pipe cleaners. these are labeled "cotton terry Chennille", they are 12 inches long. I got a package of 75. I don't remember the price. But it was probably only around $5. The brand name is Fibre Craft. I'm sure Michaels would have something similar. Just be sure to get ones that are made of cotton, not plastic. I would think Plastic ones might just make a mess from splattering.

skydive69

Super, that was very helpful, and I will seek them out.

ollo_ollo

Skydive: I just use a bucket like you do but your post spurred me to do a search & look what I found. https://search.harborfreight.com/cpis...d=parts+washer Harbor Freight is your friend. Don

jcm

Gotta get one of those. Parts washers rule in any shop, for any de-greasing purpose. Cheap, too. Mineral spirits last just about forever.

Til then, I use a Bike Bib that I made out of a rubber work apron. The kind that is used on fish processor ships, or other messy jobs. It press/slips up under the little dork-disc, between it and the spokes, and stays pinched in there. This allows the cassette to turn free as I spray it with Brake-Kleen. The drippings flow down the apron into a Tupperware bin on the floor. Nice and neat. Works like a surgery drape.

n4zou

+1
Go to an auto parts store and purchase a small parts cleaner and mineral sprits to go in it. It's a must have if you clean and grease lots of bicycles. It makes degreasing parts so easy. It's nothing more than a bucket with a lid and pump. A screen keeps your parts above the level of the cleaner your using and the pump supplies a steady stream of cleaner through a nozzle you can move around allowing the cleaner to flow through or across parts flushing out all the crap.

skydive69

Thanks for all the great ideas guys. ollo, that is a super looking parts washer at Harbor and not terribly expensive for a stand up washer. I am going to check out the auto parts store suggestion to see what they look like. I also love the idea about the pipe cleaner - I just didn't know that they made them in other than the ridgid form.

wandresen

I picked up a parts washer at Schucks a couple of weeks ago that works great. They were on closeout for $27.90. Don't know if they are still available or not. It is made by Torin Big Red Jacks and can be seen at:
https://www.torinjacks.com/ProductDet...x?ProductId=22

Cyclist0383

A small bucket, a brush, and diesel. Works wonders.

skydive69

There are some like that on eBay, but the high shipping amounts takes away the value. I would like to own a small 3.5 gal washer, and I am looking around for one. Having said all that, I just made very short work of cleaning one of my cassettes with a little plastic tub, some WD-40, a toohbrush and some paper towels.

I_bRAD

Did you try a carbon fibre bucket?

diff_lock2

lol at the cf bucket.

Also as a solvent wd 40 is great stuff, there is an air craft version (stronger) but i dono the name. You should give that a try. If you can find like gallons of wd 40 that would be soo cool.

skydive69

If I could find a CF bucket, my search would be ended! I'm still searching for a CF handlebar bell.

skydive69

I have always liked the stuff, and I do buy it in multi-gallon cans.

n4zou

CF bells make a sick "thunk" sound. You'll want a titanium bell and it's "$anggg" sound!

skydive69

How about a CF body with a Ti ringer? BTW, is N4ZOU a ham call? I'm K2PP.