Cleaning a messy chain & sprockets.

[Deleted member 89023]

Hi All, I recently went out for a ride in the rain - which I usually do - came home, wiped and lubed the chain and put the bike to one side. A week or two later I got the bike down again to be faced with the chain & sprockets covered with a mixture of lube, rust and water. The bike is one of my inferior MTB's so the parts aren't the best. I guess I can soak the chain in some type of solution, but what about the freewheel? Thanks.

 

[Katana]

Hi All, I recently went out for a ride in the rain - which I usually do - came home, wiped and lubed the chain and put the bike to one side. A week or two later I got the bike down again to be faced with the chain & sprockets covered with a mixture of lube, rust and water. The bike is one of my inferior MTB's so the parts aren't the best. I guess I can soak the chain in some type of solution, but what about the freewheel? Thanks.

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[Marchrider]

looks fantastic, what did you use to clean it with ?

 

[Deleted member 89023]

All sorted folks, I read an old thread which says White Spirit will work. I applied it to the freewheel using a paintbrush and then rinsed with water and dried. As for the chain - I soaked it in a jar of WS for 20 mins and then rinsed and dried.

 

[cyberknight]

All sorted folks, I read an old thread which says White Spirit will work. I applied it to the freewheel using a paintbrush and then rinsed with water and dried. As for the chain - I soaked it in a jar of WS for 20 mins and then rinsed and dried.

that was going to be my reply , sorted .

 

[Milzy]

Halfords White Spirit 2L £4.99 anyone know any cheaper ways to chain clean?

 

[presta]

Halfords White Spirit 2L £4.99 anyone know any cheaper ways to chain clean?

Leave the white spirit in a jar until the muck settles out, then pour the clean off the top and re-use it.

 

[Drago]

Blimey, he's been deleted already!

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Blimey, he's been deleted already!

Yes, the brand new member requested that the a/c be deleted after a very short* stay.

*Possibly a site record.

 

[C R]

Yes, the brand new member requested that the a/c be deleted after a very short* stay.

*Possibly a site record.

Aaah, so proper flounce after all. Might they do a @Drago and come back?

 

[Drago]

Aaah, so proper flounce after all. Might they do a @Drago and come back?

I didn't come back. I woke up in the shower and it had all been a dream.





Actually, I went mad, proper wibble.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Aaah, so proper flounce after all. Might they do a @Drago and come back?

No, wasn't a flounce at all.

Short-term members often join, get their question answered (as per #4) and then wish to leave and be anonymised.

 

[Paulus]

Halfords White Spirit 2L £4.99 anyone know any cheaper ways to chain clean?

I've used white spirit for 60+ years, recommended by a bike shop and it's done me ok.

 

[PaulSB]

It's a useful thread. I've never thought of white spirit as a chain cleaner. That's changed!

 

[Katana]

It’s cheap and cheerful…. I usually buy a 1 litre bottle from a local DIY shop for couple of quids and it lasts me a while.