big chainring 

I was gifted this Gitane from a friend/collector. He picked it up a while back on CL. He never got around to cleaning it up and I showed interest in it. Typical bike boom bike. Probably sat unused for the past 30 or more years. Has some rust issues under the top tube but nothing major.

I haven't rehabbed a bike in a while so my supplies were limited. Tackled some rust on the rims and handlebars with oil and bronze wool. The frame I rinsed with soapy water then went at it with some oil on a rag, scrubbing the caked on grunge. Kept going at it with just an oily rag and the bronze wool on components, no solvents. Turned out great. I think all the solvents and degreasers really arent necessary for bikes. Even the headset that was probably the original grease, completely hardened. Dropped the bearing retainers in soapy water, followed by oil, cleaned them right up.
Gitane Grand Sport Deluxe

ARider2

That bike cleaned up nicely and is looking really good! I agree most bike cleaning can be done with just soap and water, but I do use Finish Line Bike Wash on frames and rims. Sometimes I use Park Chain Bright de-greaser when necessary but this is a 100% biodegradable plant-based de-greaser and I use it only for very greaser areas like drive-side rear chain stays and bottom bracket shells.

unworthy1

That ain't "plain old oil", man...that's some TURBO oil!
Actually I have a bottle of the same stuff I bought maybe 25 years ago and it still isn't empty. I recall the hardware store where I got it (Center Hardware for you locals) which has moved locations twice since I bought the oil (and are still in business).
Thinking now maybe that RAG is something special, too...golden fleece/microfiber blend, maybe?

big chainring 

Get my rags from Rivendell. Finest Egyptian cotton, hand woven on centuries old looms by centuries old Egyptians.

SurferRosa

Oil (WD-40) on a rag: that's how I wipe down my bikes after a ride in the winter.

martl

I happen to think the organic sheep wool rags from Rapha are superior.

jon c. 

Can you get those at WalMart now?

ascherer 

Rags are processed, unnatural and have a huge carbon footprint. I go to the source and use humanely raised pastured grass-fed gluten-free full-body sheep for my polishing needs!

new2olbikes

I’m also a fan of a damp “any-old cloth/WD-40” composite for a basic wipe down and then use that for the really dirty parts before end of life cycle is reached..

martl

What if I keep a sheep in my back yard and use it alve to wipe my chain?

southpawboston

Do you get their finest aged wax, hand-made by centuries old bees?

ascherer 

See the one in the back? It’s name is Wipperman.

trailangel

Be truthful about what you keep the sheep in the backyard for.

Classtime 

I've seen that oil at my local HWS. I'm going to pick some up in the event I come across a nice rag.

eom 

This thread is a great example of how after the thread starts to drift the first liar doesn't stand a chance.

Carry on.

Siu Blue Wind

Liar?

dweenk 

I find that sheep are a bit unwieldy and don't fit into the areas between the chainstays and seatstays. I wait unil lambing season and grab a small one; they are far easier to use and do a much better job. When I take one back to mama she cleans it up so it is ready to use again.

The Golden Boy 

When men were men and sheep were...

ascherer 

...scared!

ascherer 

Ah, but as you can see I ride a large frame

martl

Whit51 

Sheep wool is know to be loaded with lanolin, an organic wax. Wiping a bike down with a heathy sheep makes the bike aerodynamically slippery, not to mention shiny!