pat5319

For many years I've used diesel oil to clean my chains. In recent years I have been using one to the water based cleaner kits with orange oil?, but always being very careful to remove water from my chain with WD40 before lubing. I did try simple green once but didn't like it. I recently read in/on one of the magazines and/or websites ( velonews?) that simple green should not be used on your chain and it pits and ruins the finish on your chain, especially if you soak it. Simple green even advises not to use it on bikes as it can ruinpothe finsihes as well , they make another product for bikes whos name I cannot remember. The author of the article/ques response, ( Lenord Zin?) ses NEVER to soak with water based produscts especially Simple Green

BlueDevil63 

Yes in general soaking with regular Simple Green is bad for most metals. Simple Green makes a variety of cleaning solutions, including those safe for aluminum and with rust inhibitors. So they do make stuff that is safe to use to soak chains and aluminum bits but it isn't the basic stuff you can buy at Home Depot. You can use the basic stuff for quick cleaning but rinse with plain water afterward and don't soak things.

Shimagnolo

https://velonews.competitor.com/2005/...e-green-2_9216

pat5319

Thanks for adding the address!!!!!

blamp28

This is old news. The chain in question was soaked in Simple Green for MONTHS - we were told when this story came out. This is not using Simple Green as a cleaner. This is using it as a storage media. The hydrogen embritlement is an issue but only with PROLONGED EXPOSURE. I have used Simple Green for 10+ years to clean chains with absolutely no ill effects. It is a fantastic cleaner but due to the nature of it, it must be rinsed completely to remove all residual cleaner. This is necessary with any cleaner on a chain as any residual cleaner would begin to "degrease" any new lube you apply. I rinse throughly and blow out water with compressed air. I apply new lube and voilà, chain works well and doesn't "explode"

davidad

I don't think much of what Zinn puts out in Velonews. His job is to promote what is advertized in his mag and he does do that.

mike_s

I especially like the advice he gives: "Of course, the best way to rebuild them is to buy my book..."

Now, there's an impartial point of view.

Zillon

I too have been using Simple Green to clean chains for the past few years. I'll toss the chain into a salsa jar with a diluted solution of SG and give it a good soak and tumble, and then blow it dry with a compressor.

Never had any issues.

nymtber

I prefer mineral spirits for chains. Let it settle over time in a glass jar and you can pour off the somewhat clean mineral spirits and use it over and over again It cleans and leaves the lightest protective film. Obviously you want to oil chain after, but it evaporates off, no drying needed

Looigi

+1 on kerosene, diesel, mineral spirits, etc. Using water soluble cleaners on chains taint natural.

mcgreivey

I don't use Simple Green on my bike, but it's not because I have anything against it. I use the same jar of mineral spirits over and over, like nymtber does. I start a new jar every year or two, and the old jar goes to the recycler.

conspiratemus1

Oh no!! ANOTHER chain-cleaning thread, and there's one still going on that hasn't died out yet!

Mr IGH

Yes, when a journalism major at Velonews reports hydrogen embrittlement, you can take it to the bank!

noglider 

What about using it to clean bikes? Is there something better? I have noticed that it sometimes does bad things with the finish on some aluminum components.

shouldberiding

Can we roll the inevitable WD40 thread into this one for the sake of convenience? Thanks.

MilitantPotato

Wait, storing steel in a water based cleaner is a bad idea?! Herp derp.

blamp28

Who'd a thunk it? Seriously, it's not rocket science. Clean the chain. Lube the chain and then store the chain but this idiot stored the chain for 5 months in a container of Simple Green and then complained that it did something to the chain. I wouldn't store the chain for that long in any cleaner.

operator

Absolutely.

Whats your take on me wd-40'ing my chain as lubricant? I think it's faster.

shouldberiding

It adds 3mph.

Beth W

We are rebuilding an old "dumpster" Raleigh Super Course and need to de-gunk the derailleurs, which are caked with grease and dirt. Would soaking them in a Simple Green/water dilution, and then cleaning them with a toothbrush, work OK? This thread has addressed soaking for weeks (bad) and spraying on and rinsing off (fine) but not a short soak. I'd rather not use fuel/chemical degreaser if at all possible -- we have a young kid and a cat around, besides which it's terrible for the environment.

Lazyass

I used Simple Green for years and years and years on my chain and cassette. Never had one single issue, you can't convince me it's bad to use. Just make sure you spray it off good and relube the chain obviously. Now I use Totally Awesome degreaser since a bottle is $1. Works just as well. I pour into my snap in chain cleaner thingy.

Jeff Wills

Please note that you are replying to a 4-year-old thread.

I would use kerosene to dissolve the old sludge. Wash the chain and parts thoroughly, then re-lube. Allow the kerosene to sit for a while and the sludge/dirt will settle out. You can reuse the kerosene when it's clear.

My experience with the Simple Green soak & water rinse is that it allows water to penetrate into the chain. Applying oil to the chain never completely displaces the water, so you end up with rapid rusting and wear.

Beth W

We are replacing the chain; it's just the derailleurs and some related parts that need to be cleaned/degreased. Not sure if that changes the strategy or not.

Jeff Wills

It's a pretty good degreaser for old parts. Just don't let them soak, rinse thoroughly, and oil any pivot points afterwards.

reddog3

What? You think Simple Green doesn't have chemicals? Read this- Beware: Some Green Cleaning Products May Not Be Very Green

The "environmentally correct" crowd has got it sooo wrong! Good luck.