I just finished doing an old 600 group that came on the 80's Bianchi I'm refinishing. I put the grubby components into old plastic margarine containers filled with Varsol or kerosene. Cheaper than commercial degreasers, and works great. Then I scrub the parts with a variety of brushes to remove the crud, and rinse in a tub of warm water and dishwashing soap. Voila...squeaky clean. For shining/polishing, I've been using Novus plastic polish. It comes in 3 strengths: No3 is for removing heavier scratches, No2 for light scratches and polishing, and No1 is for light cleaning. I mainly use number 2 by hand or with a cotton buffing wheel.....it makes aluminum components shine like new. Not expensive stuff, either. Hope this helps! Sherry Buttnor.
..............................................................................................................................................
SherryB: Metchosin BC Canada N48.35W123.55 Geomagnetic = N53
http://www.spacew.com/
>I have picked up an old shimano 600 group, and have been cleaning some
> of
> the parts to put them on my bike. I was wondering if anyone had any
> advice
> about cleaning off grease/dirt from old components, and shining them up
> again.
>
>
>
> Also, the hoods on the brake levers I have are DONE, and I need to
> replace
> them, which is proving to be harder than I thought. The levers are
> BL-6209.
> I was looking at the newer line of shimano stuff, and the ultegra hoods
> are
> definitely a different shape, but some of the duraace brakes look like
> they
> might fit. Anyone?!?
>
>
>
> -Adrian Levick
>
> San Francisco, CA.