Citrus degreaser fluid for Park Tools chain cleaner
03-14-12, 05:02 PM
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Citrus degreaser fluid for Park Tools chain cleaner
I love my Park Tools Chain Cleaner but the citrus degreaser supplied by Park is very expensive so I was wondering if there's a cheaper alternative? Any recommendations?
03-14-12, 05:41 PM
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Lots of threads on suitable chain cleaning fluids, any of which will work in your cleaner.
03-14-12, 06:22 PM
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Any citrus cleaner will work as will Simple Green. Keep changing the liquid until it stays clean, then use several rinses of water. I like to finish up with one or two rinses with denatured alcohol to get the water out of the chain. If you do not get ALL of the water out of the crevices of the chain it will not let the oil in when you re-lube it. You might be able to dry it by heating it very hot with a hair dryer; you will need to boil the water. I find this whole procedure to be a pain in the a__.
This lengthy process, while it does work, is why I gave up on on-the-bike chain cleaning and take the chains off with master links to clean them with solvent and then dry them on a $5 surplus, explosion-proof hot plate.
This lengthy process, while it does work, is why I gave up on on-the-bike chain cleaning and take the chains off with master links to clean them with solvent and then dry them on a $5 surplus, explosion-proof hot plate.
03-14-12, 07:07 PM
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IMHO there is nothing that stands up next to Park ChainBrite, but you get what you pay for; it is very expensive. It takes a little longer but I usually clean the chain as best I can with a rag and ChainBrite. Then, if I am going to use the chain machine (which I rarely do), I mix up some simple green 50/50 water and then add in 1/2 oz of ChainBrite to the mizture; this works very well. Obviously it's better to remove the chain and do Simple Green and the chain in a bottle (shaken not stirred). Keep in mind Simple Green works very well but it takes time to soak in. So if you use it a chain machine, do about 20 crank revolutions and then wait a minute and repeat until chain is clean.
03-14-12, 07:27 PM
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The bicycle chain industry thanks you for using degreasers on your chains. It provides them with many dollars of extra income from prematurely ruined chains.
From KMC's guide to chain maintenance:
And since they aren't trying to sell you a product to clean the chain, that coupled with 30+ years of personal experience having tried every way under the sun to effectively and efficiently keep a chain happy, I tend to believe them.
I takes a few seconds to run a rag over a chain after a ride, and it's been said an ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure. So it is with chains.
From KMC's guide to chain maintenance:
- Clean your chain after each trip, especially after riding in the wet.
- Always use a piece of dry cloth to clean the chain and it’s component parts.
- If neccesary, use an old toothbrush to clean between the plates.
- Do not forget the sprockets, front changer and derailleur pulleys.
- To remove mud or sand, use a bristle brush, if necessary with light soapy warm water .
- Never use acidic or alkali based detergents (such as rust cleaners), these agents can damage the chain and may cause breakage.
- NEVER EVER use a so-called ‘chain washing machine’ in combination with solvent. This is the one and only sure way to instantly ruin your chain.
- Avoid the use of solvents, not only are these bad for the environment, they remove lubricant from the chain’s bearing.
- Always use a piece of dry cloth to clean the chain and it’s component parts.
- If neccesary, use an old toothbrush to clean between the plates.
- Do not forget the sprockets, front changer and derailleur pulleys.
- To remove mud or sand, use a bristle brush, if necessary with light soapy warm water .
- Never use acidic or alkali based detergents (such as rust cleaners), these agents can damage the chain and may cause breakage.
- NEVER EVER use a so-called ‘chain washing machine’ in combination with solvent. This is the one and only sure way to instantly ruin your chain.
- Avoid the use of solvents, not only are these bad for the environment, they remove lubricant from the chain’s bearing.
I takes a few seconds to run a rag over a chain after a ride, and it's been said an ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure. So it is with chains.
Last edited by BikeWise1; 03-14-12 at 07:31 PM.
03-14-12, 07:32 PM
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Quick link , open, remove chain,
within a tin of ( your paraffin)/Kerocene ~mineral spirits,
soak to get grit and old lube out,
, blow down with air, from air compressor
then re install ..
within a tin of ( your paraffin)/Kerocene ~mineral spirits,
soak to get grit and old lube out,
, blow down with air, from air compressor
then re install ..
Last edited by fietsbob; 03-14-12 at 07:45 PM.
03-14-12, 08:48 PM
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If you insist on using something that looks, smells, and works like the Park detergent, try Citra-Solv at less than half the cost.
