Citrus Degreaser

[Arnie]

Mar 23, 2011 7:50:19 GMT Oggy said:

Mar 22, 2011 23:07:55 GMT Arnie said:

I've found the opposite Washing up liquid in warm water has noticeably dulled the paintwork on my bikes. Can anyone suggest a cost effective alternative?

Thanks for the heads-up about the Swarfega degreaser Craigy, I'll be getting some of that too

That will just be from the washing action itself, the use of brushes etc against the paintwork is whats does the damage.

I only use a sponge though, and Ecover plant extract washing up liquid. maybe I should try Fairy

[Oggy]

Just the action of washing even with a sponge dulls paintwork, u should try fairy it's what real men use

[Deleted]

To be honest I don't think a large bucket of warm water with a teaspoon worth of washing up liquid would do any harm, it never has all the years I've used it and I apply it with a car washing brush.

Just like washing a car, it's best with warm water, cold water just doesn't shift the dirt.

I use Lemon Morning Fresh, lovely!

[Oggy]

I use pink grapefruit with a hint of tea tree

[Paul]

Beloved bloody bike has killed its suspension bearings. I feel like washing it in concentrated sulphuric acid now - never mind citrus degreaser or even washing up liquid (i've actually always used a wax free car wash on the frame).

Ah well - at least it will be really clean when it is rebuilt. Might service the rear shock while its apart now.

[Rupert]

I never bother with detergent of any kind on the frame, high pressure water from the hose (I was going to buy a pressure washer till we moved here, but our water pressure is huge), avoid the bearings and use a very soft brush to get the stubborn stuff off. Fairy liquid or Fenwicks with one of those chain cleaning tools every month or so (maybe longer), but certainly not after every ride. If chain is muddy after a ride, wash with high pressure hose, towel off and lube.

Yes it's probably not the most bike friendly way of doing it, but I prefer riding my bike to cleaning it :-) I usually change the chain every 500 miles or so, but I'm not sure you get a lot more than that by cleaning it religiously anyway?

[buffypara]

Mar 23, 2011 14:21:13 GMT Oggy said:

I use pink grapefruit with a hint of tea tree

Are you still talking about bike cleaning or are you on to bubble bath choice now?

[Oggy]

Na washing up liquid on the bike and this in the bath

[summittoppler]

Not sure if Barry Scott a biker but he swears by this stuff

[rockhopper]

I find that fairy not only cleans my big ring, its great for my hands, mild green fairy liquid, :-))