Which fluid for cleaning chain?

ben@31

What would you use for degreasing the winter crud of your chain?

Annoyingly the supermarket I'm in has sold out of small bottles of white spirit and only has ridiculously large expensive ones left. But has cheaper "turpentine substitute", will this do the job?

Thank you.

paulus69

I have a similar query as the degreaser for my chain cleaner is rather pricey compared to white spirits/meths, that said I don't want to ruin my chain!

ferritic

Diesel/petrol mix works very well.
And thanks to a mishap 8 years ago where i filled the tranny van to the brim with the wrong stuff I don't foresee buying chain degreaser again in my lifetime.

ben@31

I'm hoping we can prevent ruining it by degreasing the crud off it overnight in a jar. Then applying a drop of chain oil and giving it a wipe to remove the excess. Any excess oil seems to attract more of gritty stuff and turns my chain into a black sludge, gives me an interesting tattoo on the inside of my right calf though .

philvantwo

I've always used petrol, turps is terrible stuff, crap for cleaning paint brushes too....... hence some clever person invented 'The Brushmate'

dabber

Shelves full of white spirit in all the DIY stores... very cheap.

sigorman85

White spirit!

Bozman

WD40 and a rag, it's a mild degreaser and it works a treat but lube your chain after cleaning.

maddog 2

paraffin here. AKA kerosene/heating oil.

bernithebiker

Don't use petrol. It stinks, it's highly flammable, and it has nasties in it that you don't want on your skin.

I use white spirit, diesel is pretty good too. Kerosene is what is used as heating oil in the UK. It's lighter than diesel and works well too. Red diesel is nice and cheap, and (whisper it) it's now the exact same stuff that you put in your car. (Except it's red!)

nolight

WD40 and paintbrush!

smoggysteve

If you are just after a degrease and remove the winter crud as you say. All you need it hot soapy water followed by a dry rag and some wd40.

Bordersroadie

Nothing is as effective as petrol but as stated it's nasty to skin (use rubber gloves) and only ever use it outside as even an electrical spark could ignite the vapour so potentially it's a lethal option! I go outside the garage, fill a plastic wide-capped jar with a bit and give it a good shake.

smoggysteve

White spirit, Petrol, diesel, Meths, WTF

YOU ARE CLEANING OIL AND MUD AND GRIME OF OFF METAL!!!

What is this fascination for harsh chemicals where a bit of washing up detergent does exactly the same job without the dermatitis and toxic fumes.

bernithebiker

SmoggySteve wrote:

White spirit, Petrol, diesel, Meths, WTF

YOU ARE CLEANING OIL AND MUD AND GRIME OF OFF METAL!!!

What is this fascination for harsh chemicals where a bit of washing up detergent does exactly the same job without the dermatitis and toxic fumes.

Personally, I find that no way does washing up liquid remove oily crap as well as white spirit, etc.

White spirit really rinses the chain and carries away all gunk and fine grit immediately. WU liquid takes alot longer in my experience.

I hardly touch the WS, I use a brush, and the good stuff doesn't even smell.

dabber

Old coffee jar. Some white spirit. Drop in the chain. Leave for a bit, Shake the jar and repeat... washing up type brush
then swish around a bit more and bingo.

Froomes Edgar

SmoggySteve wrote:

White spirit, Petrol, diesel, Meths, WTF

YOU ARE CLEANING OIL AND MUD AND GRIME OF OFF METAL!!!

What is this fascination for harsh chemicals where a bit of washing up detergent does exactly the same job without the dermatitis and toxic fumes.

Petrol is far cheaper than Fairy liquid FFS. Also much MANLIER

smidsy

Elbow grease is even cheaper :-)

philvantwo

Petrol evaporates very quickly whereas white spirit leaves a residue. Washing up liquid belongs in the kitchen

smoggysteve

philvantwo wrote:

Petrol evaporates very quickly whereas white spirit leaves a residue. Washing up liquid belongs in the kitchen

And petrol belongs in a car. Has carcogenic chemicals in it and is highly flammable.

p1tse

I used to use virosol to clean my car wheels so going to try it on chain
http://www.cloverchem.co.uk/uk/products ... sol_uk.htm
Big 5l tub can be diluted so will last a long time and not too pricey either



Addition Information
Safety Data Sheet
Information Sheet
Available Pack Sizes
2 x 5 Litres
20 Litres
200 Litres
VIRO-SOL
Citrus Based Cleaner/Degreaser

A citrus-based cleaner and degreaser, Virosol has been formulated for maximum cleaning power.







A blend of naturally derived citrus solvents, Viro-Sol is fast-acting to remove even the most stubborn soiling with ease.
Ideal to remove dirt, grime, diesel oil, food oil, fats, grease, tobacco film, body fat, mineral oils, rubber, traffic film, and engineering oil from anti-slip floors, stainless steel, machinery, equipment, vehicles, work surfaces, vinyl, painted floors, ceramic tiles, plastic surfaces and concrete.
Suitable for use in schools, colleges, hotels, offices, airports, factories, shops, shopping centres, ferries, bars, nightclubs and pubs.

Not Another Hill

Paraffin for me. Use it on the motorbike as well. Use a paint brush to get into the nooks and crannies. Got fed up at high cost of degreasers and that stuff like Muc off is not effective on caked up chain and sprockets. Always wear latex gloves so as to avoid getting on the skin.

orderodonata

p1tse wrote:

I used to use virosol to clean my car wheels so going to try it on chain
http://www.cloverchem.co.uk/uk/products ... sol_uk.htm
Big 5l tub can be diluted so will last a long time and not too pricey either...
quote]

+1 on the Virosol, good for cookers too!

CRAIGO5000

Decorators wipes. I can clean an old rusting chain with one of them in 2 mins. It creates a foam which cleans down to the bare metal and the wipe doesn't break up either. Rinse off and then a little sugar soap in a chain cleaner with hot water to clean the inside links of the chain. Rinse again, dry it off, lube up and job done!