Forum home› Road cycling forum› Workshop

Cleaning my chain with wetwipes?

CubicCubic Posts: 594
edited January 2010 in Workshop
Hi,

I cleaned my chain the other day with some Tesco wetwipes and they seemed to do a really good job. I thought I'd check to see if there are any nasties in the wipes that could end up damaging the chain beofre doing it again though.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks.
Cannondale Synapse Carbon

Giant Anthem X 29er 2

Posts

  • Barrie_GBarrie_G Posts: 479
    I wouldn't have thought there'd be anything that could harm a chain too much just some pretty light detergents, just make sure to lube the chain after cleaning and everything should be fine.
  • sungodsungod Posts: 16,053
    can't see it hurting, but it probably isn't any more effective than an old rag or the cheapest paper towel

    they'll all remove surface grime, but wiping won't get at the bits in the gaps between the plates or inside the rollers, for that you need to use a chain cleaner or just take the chain off and shake it in a bottle of cleaner
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • AndyOgyAndyOgy Posts: 579
    Wet wipes are one of the best ever inventions for cleaning bikes. I don't know what detergent they use but it seems great at getting off oil, muck and road grime.

    They're also great when folded up and used with an 'up-down, back-forth' motion for getting right between the sprockets.

    I usually spray the chain with Bike Spray or GT85 before applying a proper chain lube. Normally about an hour later, to give everything time to dry/evaporate.
  • GavHGavH Posts: 933
    I've used baby wipes for a while now. No problems at all. If they're safe enough for babies skin, how much damage can they do a chain? They are considerably better than old rags or kitchen roll.
  • PokerfacePokerface Posts: 7,960
    Just don't forget to re-lube the chain afterwards. I use baby wipes all over the bike. Rags are a pain to clean!
  • tlw1tlw1 Posts: 21,647
    Wife is away this w.end, so I am planning a raid on the baby wipes & bikes in the kitchen for a clean :)
    (why does it sound so wrong)!!!!!!
  • singlespeedexplosifsinglespeedexplosif Posts: 1,564
    remember kids, if they can work on meconium, they'll have no problems with road grime...
  • rakerake Posts: 3,204
    why not get it done properly with a chain cleaner.
  • Not Another HillNot Another Hill Posts: 382
    +1 for GT85 or WD40.

    On my winter bikes I just spray all the metal bits with this stuff after a ride in the wet and/or salt. Leave it then wipe the chain down thoroughly with a rag before relubing.

    Prevents rust. Means I don't have to clean the bike after every ride (haven't got time for that). Keeps the chain nicely lubed.
  • redddraggonredddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Not Another Hill wrote:
    +1 for GT85 or WD40.

    On my winter bikes I just spray all the metal bits with this stuff after a ride in the wet and/or salt. Leave it then wipe the chain down thoroughly with a rag before relubing.

    Prevents rust. Means I don't have to clean the bike after every ride (haven't got time for that). Keeps the chain nicely lubed.

    WD40? Keeps the chain nicely lubed, really?
    I like bikes...

    Twitter
    Flickr
  • plowmarplowmar Posts: 1,032
    LBS would have me hung drawn and quartered for using WD 40 which is a light weight oil but mainly a penetrating fluid which can damage bearings etc.

    GT 85 yes after cleaning but always wet or dry lube as appropriate as a follow up.
  • KirkletKirklet Posts: 43
    redddraggon wrote:
    Not Another Hill wrote:
    +1 for GT85 or WD40.

    On my winter bikes I just spray all the metal bits with this stuff after a ride in the wet and/or salt. Leave it then wipe the chain down thoroughly with a rag before relubing.

    Prevents rust. Means I don't have to clean the bike after every ride (haven't got time for that). Keeps the chain nicely lubed.

    WD40? Keeps the chain nicely lubed, really?

    He said he sprays it with WD40 after every wet ride before relubing ! :roll: :wink:
Sign In or Register to comment.