http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Cleaning and polishing en Sun, 31 May 2026 13:26:05 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2822#post-30173 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:18:06 +0000 amir 30173@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I spend more time cleaning the bikes in winter. The dry weather these last few weeks have been particularly welcome, meaning less maintenance required. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2822#post-30172 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:58:19 +0000 Nelly 30172@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The day to day single speed ride - half rusty, half manky - the only thing that would attract a thief is the shiny white bar tape !</p> <p>As for the "nice day / pose bike" - ah, thats a different story - degreased with Kaboom citrus, cleaned with lots of hot water/turtle wax car shampoo then rinsed with hot water, towelled off and relubed with the (cant remember the name, but very good) chain lube from Bicycle Works.</p> <p>Wife thinks I waste too much time on bikes............ </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2822#post-30113 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:50:58 +0000 Smudge 30113@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Allegedly fairy liquid has salt in hence the don't use it on cars advice, no idea if it's true though.</p> <p>I imagine (corroding fixies aside!) most bikes aren't that prone to critical rust. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2822#post-30112 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:46:58 +0000 steveo 30112@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not sure Fairly Liquid (other washing up liquids are available) is great for the paint finish, i think the soap product attacks the clear coat. Certainly I was always told never to wash the car with Fairy, not that i ever wash the car either.... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2822#post-30111 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:37:41 +0000 wingpig 30111@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Shininess leads to attention. Attention leads to avarice. Avarice leads to... theft...</em><br /> Theft, of course, leads to suffering. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2822#post-30110 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:34:43 +0000 chdot 30110@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"that's about it for the working bike"</p> <p>True - was more thinking of the 'nice day'/pose bike. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2822#post-30109 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:27:33 +0000 Smudge 30109@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>phew, thought for a second I was now classified as a "young woman" and would have to review my clothing choices, then realised the "young" appelation excludes me on both fronts ;-)</p> <p>I *may* wave a hose over it later just to knock the larger clods of mud off it, but other than lubing the chain that's about it for the working bike :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2822#post-30108 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:24:29 +0000 wingpig 30108@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If you can't be bothered/don't have time for a proper soap-and-bucket wash, <em>Toujours</em>-brand baby wipes (available from LIDL) are cheap and good for dislodging all types of gack, from normal frame-splatter to the slowly-accreting evil tenacious gunge which develops on the inside of the dérailleur cage and on chainring bolts. The pair of nailbrushes I use for deep chain-cleaning are currently soaking in near-neat orangey degreaser to see if it'll get the chaingunk off their bristles.<br /> Don't think I've ever used a polishing-substance. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2822#post-30107 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:23:19 +0000 DaveC 30107@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've gone and bought some Green Gunk to clean the Chain and gears of oil and grit. Then a regreasing, after a wash with car wash stuff.</p> <p>I don't polish it though. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2822#post-30103 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:12:13 +0000 chdot 30103@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's spring so young men's thoughts turn to making their bike(s) as shiny as possible. </p> <p>(Young women probably just think about riding theirs!)</p> <p>I tend to use whatever is to hand - like Fairy Liquid and Turtle Wax. </p> <p>Anything 'better'? </p>