Needing a degrease!

[greminn]

The bike, not me!

Anyway... the new Honda ive got needs a degrease (badly, no offence to the previous owner). My first thought is to grab some of those spray degreasers from supercheap or something, but there is a place down the road abit with a engine bay steam cleaner... wondering if that would be a better way to start?

SORRY - posted in the wrong forum didnt i! I have reposted it there. Can this be deleted?

[3L4NS1R]

never tried a steam cleaner...

the spray degreasers do fine, they definitely cut through the muck, I just use about half a can per clean...

[CookMySock]

Just get a couple cans of cheap spray degreaser (repco / supercheap) and a little medium-bristle brush for the stuck on goo, and rip into it. You will be amazed what it will take off. This will do a much better job than the steam cleaner - though a quick (very careful) squirt with the steam cleaner first wont hurt unless you accidently flatten your oil cooler fins with it..

Steve

[Max Preload]

I use the Supercheap degreaser all the time - it's great value.

Automotive seals aren't designed to resist pressure washing, so never use a water blaster - hose pressure is sufficient.

[JMemonic]

Better yet grab some simple green degreaser from the previously mentioned auto product retailers, oh and some CT18.

Brush the simple green on the affected areas avoiding the chain, and wash off with the hose, then give the bike a good wash with the CT18, it will help remove any residue from the degreaser and clean the bike up a treat.

If you can find them simple green do some moist towel thing like wet ones but tougher, these are great for the wheels, and removing tar etc.

Thats how I do it and its not let me down.

[vifferman]

Are you talking about chain spooge? If so, remove as much as you can manually with a plastic scraper, before you start with the degreaser. When you degrease the bike, make sure you give the rear tyre a good clean when you've finished: the degreasers form a lovely emulsion that's perfect at absorbing into and onto the tyres. to provide you with a nice non-stick surface.
For cleaning chain spooge spots off the rim or paintwork (once you've got it clean) use CRC or Wd40 on a rag, or even Pledge works well - clean and polish at the same time!

[Max Preload]

Better yet grab some simple green degreaser from the previously mentioned auto product retailers, oh and some CT18.

Brush the simple green on the affected areas avoiding the chain, and wash off with the hose, then give the bike a good wash with the CT18, it will help remove any residue from the degreaser and clean the bike up a treat.

If you can find them simple green do some moist towel thing like wet ones but tougher, these are great for the wheels, and removing tar etc.

Thats how I do it and its not let me down.

Are you a simple green salesman? Exactly how is it "even better" except perhaps for the person selling it?

Personally I avoid any products with the term 'green' anywhere except in reference to colour, as they're invariably marketing based on emotive language and pushing the perception of being 'good for the environment' not the primary consideration of performance.

[vifferman]

Are you a simple green salesman? Exactly how is it "even better" except perhaps for the person selling it?

Personally I avoid any products with the term 'green' anywhere except in reference to colour, as they're invariably marketing based on emotive language and pushing the perception of being 'good for the environment' not the primary consideration of performance.
I've used Simple Green a couple of times - just to use up the free sample I was given.
Frankly, it was the most shit product I've used to clean the bike; not only did it not do a very good job of getting the road spooge and chain spooge off, but it's not as "green" (except in colour) as the manufacturers would have you believe. It's caustic, as the tiny print on the label says, so if you leave it on paintwork or powdercoat too long (like dirty wheels, f'rinstance), it will leave blemishes and discolouration.

The very best thing I've ever used on bike wheels was Wurth Intensive Rim (or wheel??) Cleaner. It was fookin' expensive ($19 for 800ml, IIRC), but worked VERY well, was easy to use, and smelled really nice. If I could track down some, I think I'd buy a carton of it.

[3L4NS1R]

apart from the tyres, is there anywhere else degreaser shouldn't end up? I'm always a bit scared I'm going to hit something that needs grease to function...

[vifferman]

apart from the tyres, is there anywhere else degreaser shouldn't end up? I'm always a bit scared I'm going to hit something that needs grease to function...
It's better if you don't degrease your chain. If it needs a good clean, use kerosene or WD40.

[3L4NS1R]

oh yup, got my bottle of kero at home. Do you usually take the whole chain off to clean it? or do you clean it whilst its on the bike?

[Max Preload]

I've used Simple Green a couple of times - just to use up the free sample I was given.
Frankly, it was the most shit product I've used to clean the bike; not only did it not do a very good job of getting the road spooge and chain spooge off, but it's not as "green" (except in colour) as the manufacturers would have you believe. It's caustic, as the tiny print on the label says, so if you leave it on paintwork or powdercoat too long (like dirty wheels, f'rinstance), it will leave blemishes and discolouration

I've used the Supercheap one with a rag to wipe off chain lube spray from my over-enthusiastic endeavours with the can and it does nothing to paint. I believe it's kerosene based.

[JMemonic]

Are you a simple green salesman? Exactly how is it "even better" except perhaps for the person selling it?

Personally I avoid any products with the term 'green' anywhere except in reference to colour, as they're invariably marketing based on emotive language and pushing the perception of being 'good for the environment' not the primary consideration of performance.

Whoa you seem a little emotional over this, I stated that this is how I do this task, simple green because it works for me, and no I am not a sales rep, anything that is a degreaser will not be good for the environment and I made not mention of that the stuff is green doh! and that's its name ffs, if you personally avoid products with the term green that's your choice.

Oh btw it cost about the same as 2 cans of that spray on crap that is just oven cleaner for 4 litres of the stuff, it sure lasts me a long time.

[vifferman]

oh yup, got my bottle of kero at home. Do you usually take the whole chain off to clean it? or do you clean it whilst its on the bike?
If you can get the chain off to clean it, that's the way to go - you can stick it in a shallow pan and swish it around, repeat, etc. However, most bigger road bikes have a pinned master link that isn't readily removable, so you can't take the chain off very easily, in which case you have to clean it in place. No big deal, because then the kero also helps to remove chain spooge on the sprockets.

[Max Preload]

Whoa you seem a little emotional over this, I stated that this is how I do this task, simple green because it works for me, and no I am not a sales rep, anything that is a degreaser will not be good for the environment and I made not mention of that the stuff is green doh! and that's its name ffs, if you personally avoid products with the term green that's your choice.

Oh btw it cost about the same as 2 cans of that spray on crap that is just oven cleaner for 4 litres of the stuff, it sure lasts me a long time.

Firstly, you claimed it was 'even better'. And secondly, with regards to green, I play it safe.

Oven cleaner? It's not caustic.

[laserracer]

OK heres the deal... go to the warehouse buy the red degreaser in the 5 litre container $14.99 then tip it into a 20litre plastic container and fill with water ... shit im giving away all my trade secrets to you guys:bleh:

AND IF SOME OF YOU DONT BELIEVE ME ..Thats fine but its what i use and ive been a self employed car valet for 10 years

[Aa7]

I'll second the notion of NOT using simple green as a degreaser (as mentioned, it's casutic and strips paint).

Sure it may work for some of you but if you use it ensure you wash it all off afetrwards. I've been using it as a paint stripper for plastic models that need repainting for a few years now and it has been working a treat by leaving them soaking in the solution and then scrubbing the paint off with an old toothbrush. If it strips paint this easy then it will degrease but will also ruin and bodywork it's left on over time.

[greminn]

OK -i got the supercheap spray degreaser (2.90 as apposed to the EXACT same thing at repco for 7.somthing!) and gave it abit of this and that and then a wash off to get rid of it. Got a big tin of kero and a paint brush and gave it a good moosh around... that worked a real treat! tho the brush i used is a bit soft, i really need a much much harder brush.

Then more water and then a hot soapy wash after that and it looks heaps better. Took it up the back ally and back abuot 5 times .... then... whats going wrong, water in the plugs? electrical? ARRR, i havent even had it on the road!!! what HAVE I DONE!... oh duh. turn the petrol on. Stupid me. :doh:

Anyway looks heaps better, thanks for the help on the right bits etc.

Role on tomorrow, new Arai helmet, jacket, gloves, etc then my first ever ride!! (checks weather tomorrow, oh, raining.... nar - never going to happen!)

:niceone:

[FROSTY]

for future reference-I get degreaser in 4l containers and use my pressure gun to spray it on--works a darn treat