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Simple green chain cleaner?????

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20 November 2004
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24 November 2004
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  1. Hi,

    Does anyone know if the chain cleaner liquid used in various chain cleaner
    machines is Simple Green?

    Has anyone tried Simple Green for this? Did it melt your plastic chain
    cleaner, or did it work well?

    Did you dillute the Simple Green?

    I'm curious about Simple Green because it would be a less expensive chain
    cleaner.

    Thanks,

    B

  2. <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Hi,

    Does anyone know if the chain cleaner liquid used in various chain cleaner
    machines is Simple Green?

    Has anyone tried Simple Green for this? Did it melt your plastic chain
    cleaner, or did it work well?

    Did you dilute the Simple Green?

    I use Simple Green exclusively for chain cleaning, full strength. I also
    use it diluted in a spray bottle for other bike cleaning (suggested strength
    mixtures are on the bottle). The other item I use for bike cleaning is a
    spray bottle with windshield washer fluid for less dirty work.

    Just don't soak your chain (or components) for too long in it or the Simple
    Green can strip the finish off. But for general use it's great.

    JF

  3. When I clean my chain, I just use my parents dish soap.. works great as far
    as I'm concerned, and yeah.. I've used about 3 different chain cleaners. I
    haven't tried Simple Green yet though... I don't know if it's specifically a
    degreaser or not though..

    Mike
    http://mikebeauchamp.com

    <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Hi,

    Does anyone know if the chain cleaner liquid used in various chain cleaner
    machines is Simple Green?

    Has anyone tried Simple Green for this? Did it melt your plastic chain
    cleaner, or did it work well?

    Did you dillute the Simple Green?

    I'm curious about Simple Green because it would be a less expensive chain
    cleaner.

    Thanks,

    B

  4. Mike Beauchamp said:

    When I clean my chain, I just use my parents dish soap.. works great
    as far as I'm concerned, and yeah.. I've used about 3 different chain
    cleaners. I haven't tried Simple Green yet though... I don't know if
    it's specifically a degreaser or not though..

    It is.
    --
    Phil, Squid-in-Training

  5. In article <Gyynd.5475$l65.625@clgrps13>, "Jim Flom" <[email hidden]>

    Quoted message said:

    <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Hi,

    Does anyone know if the chain cleaner liquid used in various chain cleaner
    machines is Simple Green?

    Has anyone tried Simple Green for this? Did it melt your plastic chain
    cleaner, or did it work well?

    Did you dilute the Simple Green?

    I use Simple Green exclusively for chain cleaning, full strength. I also
    use it diluted in a spray bottle for other bike cleaning (suggested strength
    mixtures are on the bottle). The other item I use for bike cleaning is a
    spray bottle with windshield washer fluid for less dirty work.

    Just don't soak your chain (or components) for too long in it or the Simple
    Green can strip the finish off. But for general use it's great.

    JF

    Soylent Green is better!....🙂

    OK. Its rainning here, danmmit!

  6. Simple Green is more of a detergent solution than a solvent. While it will emulsify oil, its effectiveness on grease and wax is limited, leading to the false belief lubricants like White Lightning, when applied to an installed chain, leave a permanent buildup on cogs, jockey wheels and chainrings.

    If you use oil type chain lubricants, Simple Green might be enough but if you use White Lightning, you need to use a better solvent. And the spray can stuff WL sells evaporates too fast to be effective on the above mentioned trouble areas. Use low odor paint thinner.

  7. "H. M. Leary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    In article <Gyynd.5475$l65.625@clgrps13>, "Jim Flom"


    <[email hidden]>

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Hi,

    Does anyone know if the chain cleaner liquid used in various chain


    cleaner

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    machines is Simple Green?

    Has anyone tried Simple Green for this? Did it melt your plastic


    chain

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    cleaner, or did it work well?

    Did you dilute the Simple Green?

    I use Simple Green exclusively for chain cleaning, full strength. I


    also

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    use it diluted in a spray bottle for other bike cleaning (suggested


    strength

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    mixtures are on the bottle). The other item I use for bike cleaning is


    a

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    spray bottle with windshield washer fluid for less dirty work.

    Just don't soak your chain (or components) for too long in it or the


    Simple

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    Green can strip the finish off. But for general use it's great.

    JF

    Soylent Green is better!....🙂

    OK. Its rainning here, danmmit!

    But...but....soylent green is PEOPLE!!!

  8. Fred Hall said:


    "H. M. Leary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    In article <Gyynd.5475$l65.625@clgrps13>, "Jim Flom"


    <[email hidden]>

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    [snip]

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    Just don't soak your chain (or components) for too long in it or the
    Simple Green can strip the finish off. But for general use it's great.

    JF

    Soylent Green is better!....🙂

    OK. Its rainning here, danmmit!

    But...but....soylent green is PEOPLE!!!

    Dear Junior,

    As has been previously discussed, your dietary prejudices
    are mistaken. Eating people is not wrong:

    http://www.nyanko.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/fas/hat_canib.html

    Remember, we favor cleanliness at all costs:

    http://www.nyanko.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/fas/tried_bath.html

    D. Swann & M. Flanders

  9. Quoted message said:
    Fred Hall said:


    "H. M. Leary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    In article <Gyynd.5475$l65.625@clgrps13>, "Jim Flom"


    <[email hidden]>

    Quoted message said:

    wrote:

    > <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    > news:[email hidden]...

    [snip]

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    > Just don't soak your chain (or components) for too long in it or the
    > Simple Green can strip the finish off. But for general use it's great.
    >
    > JF

    Soylent Green is better!....🙂

    OK. Its rainning here, danmmit!

    But...but....soylent green is PEOPLE!!!

    Dear Junior,

    As has been previously discussed, your dietary prejudices
    are mistaken. Eating people is not wrong:

    Mr Fogel,

    You are correct. It is indeed a rather modest proposal.

  10. Jim Smith said:

    It is indeed a rather modest proposal.

    I am impressed with how swiftly that response came ;-)

    -Jonathan

  11. "Weisse Luft" wrote ...

    Quoted message said:


    If you use oil type chain lubricants, Simple Green might be enough but
    if you use White Lightning, you need to use a better solvent. And the
    spray can stuff WL sells evaporates too fast to be effective on the
    above mentioned trouble areas. Use low odor paint thinner.

    Hadn't heard of the need for something stronger with dry lubes like WL,
    although I don't use dry lubes anyway. While paint thinner is probably
    going to be stronger, on factor the OP may care about is that Simple Green
    is greener, i.e., environmentally friendlier. It's biodegradable, and
    eaiser on the skin too.

    JF

  12. Retro Bob said:

    Actually, simple green is not biodegrable. It has some nasties
    in it. They just made it green so you'd think it was environmentally
    friendly.

    From the Simple Green company FAQ:

    "Readily Biodegradable: Simple Green is readily decomposed in the
    environment by naturally occurring microorganisms. Simple Green
    meets the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and
    Development) and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
    recommendations for ready biodegradability. Simple Green's
    biological oxygen demand (BOD), as a percentage of its chemical
    oxygen demand (COD) after 4, 7, and 11 days is 56%, 60%, and 70%
    respectively."

    http://consumer.simplegreen.com/cons_prod_ori_faqs.php

    If it truly isn't biodegradable, someone should call the company on
    their facts.
    --
    terry morse Palo Alto, CA http://bike.terrymorse.com/

  13. Retro Bob said:

    Actually, simple green is not biodegrable. It has some nasties
    in it. They just made it green so you'd think it was environmentally
    friendly.

    From the Simple Green company FAQ:

    "Readily Biodegradable: Simple Green is readily decomposed in the
    environment by naturally occurring microorganisms. Simple Green
    meets the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and
    Development) and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
    recommendations for ready biodegradability. Simple Green's
    biological oxygen demand (BOD), as a percentage of its chemical
    oxygen demand (COD) after 4, 7, and 11 days is 56%, 60%, and 70%
    respectively."

    http://consumer.simplegreen.com/cons_prod_ori_faqs.php

    If it truly isn't biodegradable, someone should call the company on
    their facts.
    --
    terry morse Palo Alto, CA http://bike.terrymorse.com/

  14. Retro Bob said:

    Actually, simple green is not biodegrable. It has some nasties
    in it. They just made it green so you'd think it was environmentally
    friendly.

    From the Simple Green company FAQ:

    "Readily Biodegradable: Simple Green is readily decomposed in the
    environment by naturally occurring microorganisms. Simple Green
    meets the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and
    Development) and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
    recommendations for ready biodegradability. Simple Green's
    biological oxygen demand (BOD), as a percentage of its chemical
    oxygen demand (COD) after 4, 7, and 11 days is 56%, 60%, and 70%
    respectively."

    http://consumer.simplegreen.com/cons_prod_ori_faqs.php

    If it truly isn't biodegradable, someone should call the company on
    their facts.
    --
    terry morse Palo Alto, CA http://bike.terrymorse.com/

  15. Retro Bob said:

    On Sat, 20 Nov 2004 20:16:14 GMT, "Jim Flom" <[email hidden]>

    Quoted message said:

    Hadn't heard of the need for something stronger with dry lubes like WL,
    although I don't use dry lubes anyway. While paint thinner is probably
    going to be stronger, on factor the OP may care about is that Simple Green
    is greener, i.e., environmentally friendlier. It's biodegradable, and
    eaiser on the skin too.

    Actually, simple green is not biodegrable. It has some nasties
    in it. They just made it green so you'd think it was environmentally
    friendly. There was quite a discussion of this a while back in
    another forum including some responses from VP's with the Simple
    folks.

    According to the official tests, as reported in the MSDS:

    http://www.simplegreen.com/pdfs/04_msds_simple_green.pdf

    simple green is indeed biodegradeable. From the MSDS:

    "Simple Green is readily decomposed by naturally occurring
    microorganisms... Per OECD Closed Bottle Test, Simple Green meets
    OECD and EPA reccomendations for ready biodegradability."

    They do not mention what Simple Green is made of, but they do report
    that the only adverse effect is a little red skin if you soak a mouse in
    it for a week. Other than that it is non-toxic.

    Of course you heard something differant on usenet, so there must be
    some sort of conspiracy.

    What are these "nasties" you speak of? Are they anything like the
    "toxins" people flush out of their colons with coffee enemas?

    --
    Proud member of the reality-based community

  16. Weisse Luft said:

    Simple Green is more of a detergent solution than a solvent. While it
    will emulsify oil, its effectiveness on grease and wax is limited,
    leading to the false belief lubricants like White Lightning, when
    applied to an installed chain, leave a permanent buildup on cogs,
    jockey wheels and chainrings.

    Simple Green is made of citrus terpenes. They are excellent solvents
    for organic materials and decent water solubility. Downside is that
    they are not volatile and removing the solvent completely from the
    part is is not easy. The solvent is usually not reused or the
    washings collected. I really don't understand why people use them on
    bicycles.

  17. Retro Bob said:

    On 21 Nov 2004 14:11:51 -0600, Jim Smith <[email hidden]>

    Quoted message said:

    Of course you heard something differant on usenet, so there must be
    some sort of conspiracy.

    What are these "nasties" you speak of? Are they anything like the
    "toxins" people flush out of their colons with coffee enemas?

    No, actually I heard something different as a discussion between
    chemists over the actual contents. It was firsthand from the chemists
    and confirmed (eventually) by the not-so-Simple Green VP. I'll see if
    I can dig it out.

    Bob

    Dear Bob,

    Possibly you're thinking of these kinds of comments?

    "Chemical names are often disguised by using innocuous trade
    names, and most chemicals can be listed under several
    different synonyms to make it even more confusing. For
    example, butyl cellosolve, an ingredient of such products as
    Simple Green or Formula 409, can be listed as:
    2-butoxyethanol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, monobutyl
    glycol ether, or simply as a glycol ether (glycol ethers are
    also listed by NIOSH as neurotoxins - effects the central
    nervous system). Butyl is associated with blood and bone
    marrow damage, and adverse effects on hematopoietic tissues,
    blood, kidneys and liver. This information is available
    through NIOSH or the product Material Safety Data Sheet."

    http://groups.google.com/groups?q=%22simple+green%22+biodegradable&hl=en&lr=&scoring=d&selm=bpc5fm%24hvq%241%40lust.ihug.co.nz&rnum=8
    or http://tinyurl.com/7x7xo

    None of that stuff appears in my Harvard Concordance to
    Shakespeare, so for all that I know the poster may just be
    frothing.

    Here's another comment on Simple Green:

    Quoted message said:

    Formula 409 is definately not similar to Simple Green.

    "BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!!! Wrong! Both are chemically very
    similar. They are both butyl cellosolve based, surfactant
    loaded degreasers. I've done analysis on both, and they're
    pretty close to each other."

    "Take that 'biodegradable' idea associated with SG with a
    grain of salt. It's just another butyl cleaner, nothing
    more, nothing less."

    http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&threadm=19990910095938.23620.00006354%40ng-fx1.aol.com&rnum=79&prev=/groups%3Fq%3D%2522simple%2Bgreen%2522%2Bbiodegradable%26start%3D70%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26scoring%3Dd%26selm%3D19990910095938.23620.00006354%2540ng-fx1.aol.com%26rnum%3D79
    or http://tinyurl.com/5pshr

    Carl Fogel

  18. On Sat, 20 Nov 2004 20:16:14 GMT, "Jim Flom" <[email hidden]>

    Quoted message said:

    Simple Green
    is greener, i.e., environmentally friendlier. It's biodegradable, and
    eaiser on the skin too.

    I don't believe that citrus terpene solvents are particularly
    biodegradeable. Before the advent of Simple Green, these chemicals, a
    byproduct of squeezing citrus fruits with the peels on, were sold in
    small quantity to manufacturers of flavors and fragrances as chemical
    raw materials. Environmentally, they couldn't dump them into the
    ocean or bury them underground. I think that they were incinerated or
    maybe used for fuel.

    I recall when Simple Green was introduced as a safe household cleaner,
    The advertisements showed people using it to clean walls and squirting
    the stuff into their mouths to prove how safe the product was. That
    test proves little about safety or environmental benefits.

    I wonder why they haven't made a liquid laundry detergeant out of this
    stuff yet?

  19. Quoted message said:
    Retro Bob said:

    On 21 Nov 2004 14:11:51 -0600, Jim Smith <[email hidden]>

    Quoted message said:

    Of course you heard something differant on usenet, so there must be
    some sort of conspiracy.

    What are these "nasties" you speak of? Are they anything like the
    "toxins" people flush out of their colons with coffee enemas?

    No, actually I heard something different as a discussion between
    chemists over the actual contents. It was firsthand from the chemists
    and confirmed (eventually) by the not-so-Simple Green VP. I'll see if
    I can dig it out.

    Bob

    Dear Bob,

    Possibly you're thinking of these kinds of comments?

    "Chemical names are often disguised by using innocuous trade
    names, and most chemicals can be listed under several
    different synonyms to make it even more confusing. For
    example, butyl cellosolve, an ingredient of such products as
    Simple Green or Formula 409, can be listed as:
    2-butoxyethanol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, monobutyl
    glycol ether, or simply as a glycol ether (glycol ethers are
    also listed by NIOSH as neurotoxins - effects the central
    nervous system). Butyl is associated with blood and bone
    marrow damage, and adverse effects on hematopoietic tissues,
    blood, kidneys and liver. This information is available
    through NIOSH or the product Material Safety Data Sheet."

    http://groups.google.com/groups?q=%22simple+green%22+biodegradable&hl=en&lr=&scoring=d&selm=bpc5fm%24hvq%241%40lust.ihug.co.nz&rnum=8
    or http://tinyurl.com/7x7xo

    None of that stuff appears in my Harvard Concordance to
    Shakespeare, so for all that I know the poster may just be
    frothing.

    Here's another comment on Simple Green:

    Quoted message said:

    Formula 409 is definately not similar to Simple Green.

    "BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!!! Wrong! Both are chemically very
    similar. They are both butyl cellosolve based, surfactant
    loaded degreasers. I've done analysis on both, and they're
    pretty close to each other."

    "Take that 'biodegradable' idea associated with SG with a
    grain of salt. It's just another butyl cleaner, nothing
    more, nothing less."

    http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&threadm=19990910095938.23620.00006354%40ng-fx1.aol.com&rnum=79&prev=/groups%3Fq%3D%2522simple%2Bgreen%2522%2Bbiodegradable%26start%3D70%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26scoring%3Dd%26selm%3D19990910095938.23620.00006354%2540ng-fx1.aol.com%26rnum%3D79
    or http://tinyurl.com/5pshr

    Carl Fogel

    Yes, those usenet posts have a nice frothy feel. It probably is the
    2-butoxyethanol \/\/o\/\oh that worries folks. As pointed out in the
    MSDS, this is the only compound used in simple green that has exposure
    limits. Note that simple green itself has been tested and shown to be
    safe. Oh well, some folks are afraid of acetone, and others thought
    the Cassini probe was going to cause the fiery end of the earth. Hell,
    ethanol is a known neurotoxin yet most folks still use it. Furrfu. I
    consider myself a lefty tree-hugger and these folks bug me.

    As an aside, "butyl" by itself just means "four single bonded carbon
    atoms." You may not have found it in your Harvard Concordance, but
    "butyl" comes from Latin "butyrum" because a four carbon carboxylic
    acid is common in rancid butter.

    My personal favorite is the six-carbon "caproic acid" which presumably
    comes from rancid goats.

  20. Paul Kopit said:

    Simple Green is made of citrus terpenes.

    From the Simple Green consumer FAQ:

    "Citrus - Does Simple Green contain any citrus products?
    There are no citrus products in Simple Green products."

    http://consumer.simplegreen.com/cons_faqs.php

    --
    terry morse Palo Alto, CA http://bike.terrymorse.com/

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