I think that email may be a bit alarmist, and speaks of extremes only. I use Simple Green almost EXCLUSIVELY for cleaning bike frames and parts, a great multitude of which are made of aluminum. The exception is using an adhesive remover for tough adhesive residues, and brass brushes of various shapes, for removal of rust from chrome, or black or raw steel. For my little scrubbing tub, I use Simple Green cut 50% with tap water. Where you can have a problem, is if you leave the aluminum parts in the solution for more than say an hour or so, depending upon differences in the specific parts, like manufacturer, content, and type of anodizing used, or lack thereof. Left too long, it can begin to remove and blacken anodizing, and it can begin to blacken raw aluminum as well. Simple Green is excellent for making the parts shiny clean, and cutting through grease and grime. Now that being said, if you have to leave aluminum parts in the ultrasonic cleaner for longer than this, then I'd agree that you might need to find something else, like John Barron suggested.
Ciao, Mark Agree Southfield, Michigan, USA ~ ~ ~
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:17:06 -0700 From: pbbikes <pbbikes@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [CR] Ultrasonic cleaner results and report To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Just got an email saying that Simple green is not good stuff to use on Aluminum. Just an FYI if anyones interested.
Also dont put any panto gear thats filled with paint unless you plan oon refilling the paint.
barry scott mount shasta ca usa
On Tue, Jul 27, 2010 at 4:40 PM, pbbikes <pbbikes@gmail.com> wrote:
> hi again two minutes later.
>
>
> I think now that ive found some time out from biz and home projects that
i
> should report back on something that pertains to the on topic restorer.
>
> A couple months ago I asked the list what they thought about an
ultrasonic
> cleaner ?
>
> The little suckers are pricey but much cleaner than a solvent tank.
>
> Well I bought one on ebay from a company in NY , made in china its
called
> a Kendall and I got the 9 liter model for $468
>
> Quite few people got back to and said about having a small one for
cleaning
> bits with good results but I wanted one to clean the piles of cranks and
> chainrings, so I took a leap and figured if theyer as good as peopel say
,
> it will pay for itself in time gained and less cancer cells
>
> The machine fits a full chainset, its I believe offhand 500watts for
> heating and the ehating elelment is the real important stuff.
>
> I used it first with dish liquid, then got a simple of simple green which
> is a little better and am yet to try some citrus(the sellers said it ok,
its
> stainless)
>
> the first couple batches clened out derailleurs in one 55 minute cycle at
> 65 degrees celcius f?
>
> This thing cleaned the spots that you need the tiniest brushes to get to
> and no brushing was necessary
>
> I have lot of sun here so the stuff drys rapidly on the deck to avoid
> rust-some pieces need to be pulled apart and everything needs some
grease or
> phil oil
>
> Obviously certain things like hubs cant just be tossed in but i put some
> really nasty stuff in there.
>
> Unfortunately 2 days later the heater stopped, its not the top model but
> its $400 plus dollars so I was a little bummed
>
> The seller asked if I would be willing to install a new heating element
and
> I said ok, a few days later -new heating element. I got one good batch
and
> it stopped heating again
>
> The best part of the machine is the heating , the gunk gets soft and you
> can pull the part out and wipe it real quick and toss it back in.
>
> So I was done, i decided I wanted another brand, but that I definitely
> wanted another ultrasonic. Afetr speaking with the seller he sent me a
> prepaid return label and agreed to refund my loot if it happened again
but
> assured me i just got the lemon.
>
> Well, i got the new one yesterday and did 2 cycles of really dirty cranks
> (I can fit in 2 full crank sets and a few smaller items together.
>
> This one was twice as powerfull as the last - So i believe the first one
> was a lemon.
>
> As long as it keeps working I couldnt recommend it enough for anyone who
> plays with lots of vinatge gear, its supposed to work well at pulling off
> buffing compound too.
>
> When i used to do a lot of 70+ mile rides outside of new york, I would
> clean my bike up after everylong ride to keep it all lubed and clean.
this
> thing would kill for dropping your cassette into and maybe a few other
bits.
>
>
> If anyone is entertaining the idea of getting one of these i'd definately
> answer any questions-although im a novice myself. Or the other way
around
> if youve been using one and have some good tips , i'd love it
>
> I just realized i wrote a bunch of wandering sentences, i live far enough
> from civilization that the communication skills , especially writing need
> some buffing.
>
> happy hot weather rdiing
>
>
>
> --
> Barry Scott
> Mount shasta CA USA