Cleaning oily bits off a white frame

benws1

I'm new to proper bike maintenance and have a basic understanding of how to clean a bike. However, I'm a bit stumped for what to use on certain parts of my white frame.

My issue is that black, oily bits get flung onto bits near the BB, the chain and seat stays. I lube the bike properly (drop a bit on each chain link, then run it through a rag to clean up the excess), but still get lots of black muck in the white frame parts. Especially now it's winter time.

I have been using a Muc-off drivetrain cleaner degreaser, but I'm wary of getting this into bearings and lubed areas and drying them up. It doesn't seem to hurt the frame. However, over time I think I'm affecting the BB and crank areas (they are starting to squeak). If I'm honest, I think I managed to mess up a wheel hub by cleaning the freewheel with too much degreaser.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what is safe to use to clean the frame? Straight shampoo doesn't work as the deposits are oily. Will something like fairy liquid work?

Thanks all.

hsiaolc

I just wipe it.

I spray lots of GT85 onto a cloth and then wipe the frame and any place needs cleaning. It cleans (at least the black oily stuff is gone) and it makes frame shinny and smooth. I always DRY Clean my bike so I know that no water or any cleaning agents gets into any cracks or components.

Works for me so far and I like it. I can dry wash my bike at home too. I think I have the cleanest bike compared to the whole working building.

benws1

Thanks. That's a good idea.

I think you can go a bit overboard with the degreaser and end up degreasing bearings etc.

roubaixmb

Baby wipes

fat daddy

RoubaixMB wrote:

Baby wipes

this does work .... .but I don't get why, because if you have ever tried removing bike grease from a baby with a baby wipe, it doesn't work

Swarfega all the way for babys !

benws1

I have a two year old, so have baby wipes in abundance.

Why didn't I think of that sooner?

Thanks.

fat daddy

makes your bike smell nice as well ..... although you need to do it regularly ... ie if you try to wipe off 3 week old road grime with a baby wipe you stand no chance unless you wrap the baby wipe around the crud and let it soak.

keef66

Get a big tub of those industrial baby wipe type things. They remove just about anything.

Or just do what I do and leave it mucky this time of year. Both bikes get a proper wash in the summer when it's warm and sunny. I'll spend a day on the patio stripping them down, greasing / adjusting bearings, and giving everything a thorough clean.

This time of year I just wipe down the chain with a cloth and a bit of white spirit to remove the worst of the dirt, sparingly lube it and then really thoroughly wipe off the excess. I'll also wipe it down after the next couple of rides as the lube is moved about, or after any wet ride to deter rust.

benws1

keef66 wrote:

Get a big tub of those industrial baby wipe type things. They remove just about anything.

Or just do what I do and leave it mucky this time of year. Both bikes get a proper wash in the summer when it's warm and sunny. I'll spend a day on the patio stripping them down, greasing / adjusting bearings, and giving everything a thorough clean.

This time of year I just wipe down the chain with a cloth and a bit of white spirit to remove the worst of the dirt, sparingly lube it and then really thoroughly wipe off the excess. I'll also wipe it down after the next couple of rides as the lube is moved about, or after any wet ride to deter rust.

Would love to leave it, but struggle as I can't stand a dirty bike and the brakes started to squeal on the wheels. It really was filthy. Should have taken a picture.

Anyhow, I see what you are getting at because I rode it last night in the rain and wind. Guess what, it looks absolutely filthy again.

I need to park it up and give it a thorough service anyway. The chain needs swapping, the cables need replacing (I have lost one gear on the rear and it's now struggling to change down - I have adjusted to try and fix), the rear brakes have lost their bite and the front brake leaver has a lot of travel. I've been riding it a lot since last June and it's only a £300 quid Raleigh Misceo, so it takes some hammer. As soon as I have an alternative (Bianchi ML3 Alu is currently attached to my turbo, but I have an old Coppi that needs some work) I'll park it up and teach myself some more bike mechanic skills.

I had to replace the rear wheel on it a few weeks ago as the Quando hub ate itself. I'm also looking to convert it from the 7 speed freewheel that it currently is, to an 8 speed freehub as that will give me more choice of wheels etc.

homers_double

benws1 wrote:

I have a two year old, so have baby wipes in abundance.

Why didn't I think of that sooner?

Thanks.

This.

lakesluddite

homers double wrote:

benws1 wrote:

I have a two year old, so have baby wipes in abundance.

Why didn't I think of that sooner?

Thanks.

This.

Yup, agree. Morrisons own brand are about 50p for 70 (or is it 72?). I'm never without at least two lots.

I tend to give the frame and chain a spray with a detergent like Muc-off etc, use wet wipes on them both, along with the rims, then apply a bit of GT85 to the moving parts (and rub some on the frame for a little extra protection). Take about 10 minutes after every ride (in the wetter weather). I then just give the chain a more thorough clean and lube about once a week.

Matthewfalle

I give My bi-cycle a hose down after every ride - takes 30 seconds and gets all the crud out of all the nooks and crannies before it dries in and goes skanky.

Chain and sprockets get degreased, dried and re-lubed every weekend. Once a month full degrease and scrub with car shampoo for the whole bike.

Job jobbed.

meanredspider

I can't stand cleaning bikes and a great product I use on my carbon bikes is the spray that stops dirt collecting on alloy wheels. I think it's just silicone but it keeps the frame clean for weeks between applications. Obviously keep it off braking surfaces. Halfords sell it (it's by Armorall) . With disc brakes, you can apply it to your rims too.

scott_w1987

I am proper anal so it gets a full car shampoo clean and dry after every ride if the roads are wet. The bearings generally outlast the wheels even with my washing but if any do ever need replaced I will replace them when needed, they are easy to do and cheap. Definitely wouldn't leave a bike dirty at the risk of getting water or degreaser near some bearings.

lakesluddite

meanredspider wrote:

I can't stand cleaning bikes and a great product I use on my carbon bikes is the spray that stops dirt collecting on alloy wheels. I think it's just silicone but it keeps the frame clean for weeks between applications. Obviously keep it off braking surfaces. Halfords sell it (it's by Armorall) . With disc brakes, you can apply it to your rims too.

This the stuff?

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cl ... for-wheels

meanredspider

LakesLuddite wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

I can't stand cleaning bikes and a great product I use on my carbon bikes is the spray that stops dirt collecting on alloy wheels. I think it's just silicone but it keeps the frame clean for weeks between applications. Obviously keep it off braking surfaces. Halfords sell it (it's by Armorall) . With disc brakes, you can apply it to your rims too.

This the stuff?

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cl ... for-wheels

That's the one. You need to apply it at a reasonably warm temperature IIRC - so you need to choose your day carefully (or make the kitchen floor very slippery)

step83

homers double wrote:

benws1 wrote:

I have a two year old, so have baby wipes in abundance.

Why didn't I think of that sooner?

Thanks.

This.

Another vote for the mystical baby wipe keep a pack in the car as well for sportives with a bag to put the used ones in.

keef66

Can you spray that stuff on a cloth and apply to the target area rather than blitzing everything? I'm tempted to get some for the car wheels anyway; it's fairly new, so I'm still looking after it, but the alloys seem to take me longer to clean than the rest of the car inside and out. Anything that makes that easier will be money well spent.

And I can do the bike frames when they have their summer strip-down.

meanredspider

keef66 wrote:

Can you spray that stuff on a cloth and apply to the target area rather than blitzing everything? I'm tempted to get some for the car wheels anyway; it's fairly new, so I'm still looking after it, but the alloys seem to take me longer to clean than the rest of the car inside and out. Anything that makes that easier will be money well spent.

And I can do the bike frames when they have their summer strip-down.

Probably - or apply with a paint brush.

bbrap

keef66 wrote:

Can you spray that stuff on a cloth and apply to the target area rather than blitzing everything? I'm tempted to get some for the car wheels anyway; it's fairly new, so I'm still looking after it, but the alloys seem to take me longer to clean than the rest of the car inside and out. Anything that makes that easier will be money well spent.

And I can do the bike frames when they have their summer strip-down.

For car alloy wheels you need wheel wax (proper wheel wax which resists the heat generated by braking not the stuff you use on the rest of the bodywork). It resists the build up of brake dust and makes cleaning a hell of a lot easier. Only needs doing about twice a year. I take each wheel off, clean properly (not with wonderwheels or any other acidic crap), then a couple of coats of the wax and a polish. When it comes to the next wash all the muck just floats off with a low pressure hose.

benws1

bbrap wrote:

keef66 wrote:

Can you spray that stuff on a cloth and apply to the target area rather than blitzing everything? I'm tempted to get some for the car wheels anyway; it's fairly new, so I'm still looking after it, but the alloys seem to take me longer to clean than the rest of the car inside and out. Anything that makes that easier will be money well spent.

And I can do the bike frames when they have their summer strip-down.

For car alloy wheels you need wheel wax (proper wheel wax which resists the heat generated by braking not the stuff you use on the rest of the bodywork). It resists the build up of brake dust and makes cleaning a hell of a lot easier. Only needs doing about twice a year. I take each wheel off, clean properly (not with wonderwheels or any other acidic crap), then a couple of coats of the wax and a polish. When it comes to the next wash all the muck just floats off with a low pressure hose.

I use Bilberry wheel cleaner to do the cleaning part. It isn't acidic so won't wreck your wheels. Quite good stuff actually and smells nice.

dannbodge

When I had my wheels refurbed I gave them a coat of a ceramic sealant which makes dirt/brake dust wash off with just water (lasts up to 2 years on one application too)

I'm quite tempted to do my new frame with it too.

At the moment I just clean my frame (alu) with a bit of brake cleaner on a cloth. Not so sure I'd do that on a carbon frame though

fenix

Ceramic Sealant ? What is this voodoo ?