Surfactants, Degreasers, Bike Cleaners in General?

[moparman70]

Kerosene is EXACTLY what Suzuki specified as the only cleaning/lubricating agent to be used on the RG500 chain.  It does not harm O-rings, and it cleans the grime (which turns to grinding paste) off the links.

i know i will get nailed for this but for the excess chain fluid build-up ( rear wheel ) -- but I use kerosene to clean my rear wheel -- and chain -- works great ( low volatility ) Enviromentally I put down my absorbant oil mats ( but cardboard works in a pitch).

to this day I have never had a flaming wheel.

very correct -- t does not harm the o-rings and it cleans the grease off beautifully -- I typically use blue ray chain lube -- foaming kind and the kerosene cleans it away ---- not sure if mineral spirits are the same as kerosene

[Charlie-brm]

Good to know that about kerosene because I definitely read instructions with chains not to use solvents that can get inside to wash out the impregnated lube of an assemble X or O ring chain. I still wouldn't drop a chain in a coffee can of it and soak it overnight though. Just being cautious.

Ammonia content - big no no. It makes plastics brittle with no sign until the plastic is stressed and will just give way, sometimes dangerously so. It might take months or years of use but it will degrade it. Professional plastics manufacturer policy - no ammonia products allowed in this plant - and commercial product personal experience.

I was hoping I could recommend a degreaser now used at work because it beats the ass off the former solution. It looks like green soapy detergent. Sadly, despite the name Green Nature, it's a witches brew of alcohols, esters, chlorides, "...thylenes". Names don't mean jack.

[theLeopard]

just read the book, under chain maintenance.
the ferring and tank just require a deep coat of wax (2-3 applications).

[ribbert]

Kerosene is EXACTLY what Suzuki specified as the only cleaning/lubricating agent to be used on the RG500 chain.  It does not harm O-rings, and it cleans the grime (which turns to grinding paste) off the links.

i know i will get nailed for this but for the excess chain fluid build-up ( rear wheel ) -- but I use kerosene to clean my rear wheel -- and chain -- works great ( low volatility ) Enviromentally I put down my absorbant oil mats ( but cardboard works in a pitch).

to this day I have never had a flaming wheel.

very correct -- t does not harm the o-rings and it cleans the grease off beautifully -- I typically use blue ray chain lube -- foaming kind and the kerosene cleans it away ---- not sure if mineral spirits are the same as kerosene

If you are talking degreasing only and not general bike cleaning, you can't beat kero. It is cheap and can be bought in bulk even cheaper. I buy it in 25 litre drums from a wholesaler and it's very cheap.

As had been said, it is the one cleaner that won't ruin the 'O' rings on you chain, won't damage anything else it gets on, including paint, and the residue will wash off with any soapy solution. I keep 50 ltrs of it in my parts wash, decant small amounts into containers for smalls parts washing and it's easy on you hands.

Never found anything better. 

If you really want to ad some ooomph to degreasing and you have a compressor, get one of these, a kero gun. I have  this exact unit and love it.



Kero spray at 120 psi. It's like a high pressure cleaner but with kero.

Speaking of high pressure cleaners, as someone did earlier, they are a great piece of equipment but can do all sorts of damage if not careful.

Noel