What do degrease a chain with?

[zzyzzx]

I finally ran out of bike chain cleaner, and I am thinking that I might be able to just use something that I already keep around the house instead of buying something just for this. Got any suggestions? I imagine that any degreaser might work, but I'm thinking that maybe something like laundry or dish detergent might not be what I want to use, but something like automatic transmission fluid, or some other cleaner I already have might work. Any ideas?

This household cleaner is available at Dollar Tree and I usually keep a lot of it around, and might want to try:

Or just get a gallon jug of a degreaser, and at least I can use that for other things. I just don't want to keep a separate bottle of bike chain degreaser if I don't have to.

 

[Maritime Storm]

I always use diesel fuel in my chain cleaning tool.

 

[NateDN10]

I've used WD-40 before - it works well if you're using a rag as well. If you're soaking it's obviously not optimal due since it comes in an aerosol can.

 

[JOD]

Are you doing it on the bike or off the bike? If you're doing it on the bike, brake cleaner with a spray nozzle works well. It doesn't react with the parts, too (like derailleur pulleys).

I always use one of the Wipperman Connex links and remove the chain. I toss it in a Gatorade bottle with mineral spirits and shake it. Diesel fuel works great, too, and it's cheaper. I'd go with that, except that I normally have mineral spirits on-hand.

 

[supton]

Same for me--paint thinner (mineral spirits) in a plastic juice container, then hang in the sun. Last couple of times I would let the fluid sit for several days, and the junk would fall to the bottom. Then I can dump the now-clear paint thinner into a new container, and toss the dirty juice container.

I tried Simple Green, and found it completely worthless.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Kerosene.

 

[SLCraig]

Spray Nine.
There is nothing that stuff can't clean.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: NateDN10
I've used WD-40 before - it works well if you're using a rag as well. If you're soaking it's obviously not optimal due since it comes in an aerosol can.

Lots of places wil sell you WD 40 in a gallon can. The price is not bad because you are not paying for the spray can. DRop the entire chain right in. I give the whole soak treatment to firearms.

 

[Kuato]

A quart of gasoline in the bottom of a bucket. 2p

 

[AVB]

I use WD40.

 

[rszappa1]

I have used brake cleaner.................

 

[NavyDood]

Use a lemon. Cut it half way through and slide it on the chain. Then grab the pedal and pedal away. Works great.

 

[JHZR2]

I have a little machine that has scrubbers in it to clean and degrease the chain. I use an aqueous-based degreaser, then dry the chain with a towel and heat gun, and then re-lube.

I suppose I should really get a chain I could remove and just rinse it and then drop it in a can of diesel or something... new thread time!

 

[Bgallagher]

ZEP purple degreaser. EXCELLENT

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2

I suppose I should really get a chain I could remove and just rinse it and then drop it in a can of diesel or something... new thread time!


Connex Link

They're expensive (the 10 speed links are even more expensive), but worth it. You could always get a Wipperman chain, but in my experience they shift like garbage compared to Shimano chains. I typically re-use that link for 3 chains. After about 10K miles though, they'll start to skip. I've used every quick link out there, and this is by far the easiest to use. I also used to use the chain scrubbers. Mostly, they seems to clean a little, and move the dirt around a little... Maybe in a drier environment they work OK, but out here removing the chain for cleaning is the only way to go.

 

[Tempest]

I use FP-10 gun oil for lube and clean. Put a heavy drop or 2 on each link and then spin the chain backwards through a rag. Works great and no need for rust causing water based products.

 

[zzyzzx]

I use a chain cleaner tool, so I would be looking for use something that I would pour into it. Specifically it's a vintage 1990 Vetta chain cleaner, and it looks a lot like this:

I am not removing the chain to clean it. It stays on the bike.

Interesting commentary on diesel fuel since I know someone who is looking to get rid of a 1/4 full oil tank (for their oil burning furnace that's going to be replaced by a heat pump). I assume I could get some of that and give it a try.

 

[The_Eric]

Both of our bikes have a removable chain, so for them I use my solvent tank. But a similar substance would be mineral spirits.

 

[UG_Passat]

for a chain cleaner tool: ZEP Orange Degreaser

FOr my MTB, since I use a wet lube, I usually relube after each ride and wipe the excess. If it's bad enough, odorless mineral spirits, then relube.

for my road bike, as I use white lightning clean ride... after each ride, lube and wipe

 

[supton]

I think it's white lightning I use, seems to stay reasonably clean, but the chain still wears internally. But much better than the older lubes.

I have one of the on-bike cleaners, and it seemed easy to get cleaning fluid all over the place. Might try it again this winter.