Cleaning products

I usually just rinse it off with a light soft stream of water from the hose, bounce off the excess water, and then let it dry in the sun. I don't have any deep scratches though, or chips through to the metal yet, so I don't have to worry about rust. If it is really dirty, I use a clean soft sponge and a diluted solution of Dawn Dishwashing Liquid. I do use a soft bristle paint brush for anyplace that I cannot get with the sponge (usually in the pedals), and I use a hard Park brush for the drive train. After the scrubbing, I usually just rinse it off with a light soft stream of water from the hose, bounce off the excess water, and then let it dry in the sun.

To clean the frame, I use Meguiar's Soft Wash Gel (but only because I have gallons of the stuff) then rinse off in a gentle stream of water from the hose. Then I do the same as kdelong and bounce the bike to get rid of the excess and let it dry in the sun.

For the drivetrain I use kerosene.

My usual order of cleaning is drivetrain first, then frame, then rinse off, bounce and dry in the sun. Then lube the chain and other bits and it's ready to fight another day. Seems to work fine for my bike.

Occasionally I get really anal and wax the frame.

matagi said:

To clean the frame, I use Meguiar's Soft Wash Gel (but only because I have gallons of the stuff) then rinse off in a gentle stream of water from the hose. Then I do the same as kdelong and bounce the bike to get rid of the excess and let it dry in the sun.

For the drivetrain I use kerosene.

My usual order of cleaning is drivetrain first, then frame, then rinse off, bounce and dry in the sun. Then lube the chain and other bits and it's ready to fight another day. Seems to work fine for my bike.

Occasionally I get really anal and wax the frame.

Soap and water with a clean rag.
Sometimes using one of those 'Mr Clean' magic erase things on tough spots.

RedRider2009 said:

How do you guys clean your bikes? I found out recently that I shouldnt use any pressure really because it washes out grease. Do you use brushes? Do you use and products like finish line super bike wash? Thanks!

I wipe my bike down with pledge. Works great and the dirt doesn't stick as bad next time I clean it. I leave the bearings alone.

Brian Friend

First I clean the drive train. wd-40 with a rag if really bad then thru a chain cleaning tool with citrus cleaner, use binder twine like floss on the casset, rinse off with gentle stream from garden hose, bounce it off. When dry I use pledge to clean it. Note I do not always use wd-40 nor recommend using it without using another cleaner afterwards. I use a teflon dry lube on all moving parts. If real dry out I just wipe of the chain when I get home and put her to bed till the next time.

BigUgly said:

First I clean the drive train. wd-40 with a rag if really bad then thru a chain cleaning tool with citrus cleaner, use binder twine like floss on the casset, rinse off with gentle stream from garden hose, bounce it off. When dry I use pledge to clean it. Note I do not always use wd-40 nor recommend using it without using another cleaner afterwards. I use a teflon dry lube on all moving parts. If real dry out I just wipe of the chain when I get home and put her to bed till the next time.

WD40 is a good mild solvent and is a great penetrating oil, and you don't have to clean it off, it evaporates. But WD40 is not a good lubricant. It is OK to use it to clean or unstick a threaded fastener, but use a better lubricant once you have cleaned whatever it is that you are working on. I used to use it to flush out old freewheels (member them?) that had a bit of grit in them, but then I would lube them with motor oil once they were spinning free.

kdelong said:

WD40 is a good mild solvent and is a great penetrating oil, and you don't have to clean it off, it evaporates. But WD40 is not a good lubricant. It is OK to use it to clean or unstick a threaded fastener, but use a better lubricant once you have cleaned whatever it is that you are working on. I used to use it to flush out old freewheels (member them?) that had a bit of grit in them, but then I would lube them with motor oil once they were spinning free.

That's why I always lube after I use it. And yes it is an evaperator and will actually dry out seals and bearings.