I've used concentrated citrus degreaser and the wire brush that Park makes. Citrus degreaser has the advantage of having a pleasant odor if you are using it in the basement or on the porch. And perhaps we like to think it is more environmentally friendly than petroleum solvents, although when disposing of dirty used solvent it probably presents the same issues. One disadvantage is that citrus degreaser can form a gum on parts if you soak them for many days. It's also expensive, and I've had trouble lately finding the concentrated form, which is used in industry, as opposed to the typical retail form that is diluted with water, using an emulsifier.
I now have a shop in the back yard detached from the house, so odor is not an issue, and I've returned to just using petroleum solvent. Laquer thinner seems to work the best and will eventually evaporate rather than forming gum. In fact, I've used it to remove the gum left on parts by leaving them soaking too long in the citrus degreaser. Paint pans of the type used with paint rollers make a pretty good container for soaking parts, including chains.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, Texas, USA
James Valiensi <valiensi@mac.com> wrote:
Hi,
I've put chains in a ziplock storage container with simple green or
the orange citrus cleaner and set them on top of the washing machine
or dyer while they run. They vibrations of the machines would clean
the chain pretty darn good. Then I'd just rinse the chain with water,
spray with WD-40 and then lube.
Alas, my wife bought a stackable washer and dryer. So I got an ultra
sonic cleaner. Again I use simple green or the orange stuff. They
chains sure come clean with this machine.
Cheers!
James Valiensi
Northridge, CA USA
On Jul 1, 2008, at 6:43 AM, Steve Maas wrote:
> Hmmmm....somehow I sense that this was one of Sheldon's April 1
> contributions. Not sure what gives me that idea; just a vague
> feeling, I guess, but it's there nonetheless.
>
> Steve Maas
> Long Beach
>
> gholl@optonline.net wrote:
>> The late Mr. Sheldon Brown was a wonderful man with a great sense
>> of humor. However, save for the world's most valuable chain, or
>> going into the business of chain cleaning, the reference given
>> seems elaborate, expensive and environmentally questionable.
>> Some bike shops now have enzymatic cleaning machines which give
>> excellent results and little environmental impact.
>> George
>> George Hollenberg MD
>> CT, USA
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: EPL Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2008 8:31 am
>> Subject: [CR]Chain cleaning
>> To: "classicrendezvous@bikelist.org"
>>> Deborah Kay wrote:
>>>
>>> "Hello Everyone,
>>> Hope everyone is doing well, and getting ready for the 4th of
>>> July. I was wondering if you could give me an idea, How to clean
>>> a chain up? Your help is appreciated, Thank you"
>>> Best on-line source of cycling-related knowledge is the website
>>> of the late
>>> great Sheldon Brown. He was good enough to post a detailed guide
>>> to chain cleaning here:
>>>
>>> http://www.sheldonbrown.com/
>>>
>>> Best of luck --
>>>
>>> ;-)
>>>
>>> Emanuel Lowi
>>> Montreal, Quebec=0A=0A=0A
>>> __________________________________________________________________=0
>>> AInstant Messaging, free SMS, sharing photos and mo
>>> re... Try the new Yahoo! Canada Messenger at http://
>>> ca.beta.messenger.yahoo.com/
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>> George Hollenberg MD CT, USA