Just plain old oil on a rag
01-31-21, 12:01 PM
#1
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Just plain old oil on a rag
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
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
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01-31-21, 12:10 PM
#2
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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.
01-31-21, 12:54 PM
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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?
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?
01-31-21, 01:16 PM
#4
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Originally Posted by unworthy1
Thinking now maybe that RAG is something special, too...golden fleece/microfiber blend, maybe?
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01-31-21, 02:37 PM
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Oil (WD-40) on a rag: that's how I wipe down my bikes after a ride in the winter. 
01-31-21, 02:38 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by big chainring
Get my rags from Rivendell. Finest Egyptian cotton, hand woven on centuries old looms by centuries old Egyptians.
01-31-21, 03:11 PM
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Originally Posted by martl
I happen to think the organic sheep wool rags from Rapha are superior.
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01-31-21, 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted by martl
I happen to think the organic sheep wool rags from Rapha are superior.
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01-31-21, 03:24 PM
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THANK YOU for the chuckle
Originally Posted by 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!
Last edited by new2olbikes; 01-31-21 at 03:35 PM. Reason: update..
01-31-21, 05:05 PM
#10
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Originally Posted by 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!
01-31-21, 05:05 PM
#11
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Originally Posted by big chainring
Get my rags from Rivendell. Finest Egyptian cotton, hand woven on centuries old looms by centuries old Egyptians.
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01-31-21, 05:14 PM
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Originally Posted by martl
What if I keep a sheep in my back yard and use it alve to wipe my chain?
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01-31-21, 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by ascherer
See the one in the back? It’s name is Wipperman.
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02-01-21, 07:26 AM
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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.
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02-01-21, 08:26 AM
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This thread is a great example of how after the thread starts to drift the first liar doesn't stand a chance.
Carry on.
Carry on.
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02-01-21, 08:31 AM
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Liar?
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Please dont outsmart the censor. That is a very expensive censor and every time one of you guys outsmart it it makes someone at the home office feel bad. We dont wanna do that. So dont cleverly disguise bad words.
02-01-21, 01:19 PM
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Originally Posted by 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!
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02-01-21, 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by trailangel
Be truthful about what you keep the sheep in the backyard for.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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02-01-21, 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by The Golden Boy
When men were men and sheep were...
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02-01-21, 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by 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.
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02-02-21, 06:29 AM
#22
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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!
