CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Oily hands from washing bike?

(16 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by MeepMeep
  • Latest reply from threefromleith
  • This topic is resolved

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  1. MeepMeep
    Member

    Washing my bike is one of the few chores I don't mind doing (I did it this morning so apologies for any forthcoming rain this afternoon!) but, as a woman, I really cannot stand the ingrained oil at the end of my nails and in the corners of my cuticles. I seem to be able to wash out the oil over the rest of my hands with fairy liquid and salt but cannot scrub out the oil on my fingertips.

    I've tried using food hygiene gloves but find they tear too easily thus negating the point of using them. Washing up gloves seem to be too unwieldy (unusually small hands) for getting into the nooks and crannies.

    As much as I hate sounding rather vain, does anyone have any suggestions for either preventative or remedial action?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. reikimikey
    Member

    I use nitrile gloves, thicker than the food hygiene style ones. Seem to do the job. Keep a spare pair in my bag too just in case of mishaps, chain slips etc

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. Smudge
    Member

    A second vote for nitrile gloves, I keep a big box in the garage and a couple of pairs in my toolpouch/first aid kit, allows non oily hands if I have to do anything with a chain (mine or others!) and if I end up doing any first aid they of course prevent cross contamination.
    You could also try using barrier cream but I imagine the cleaning flids would quickly remove it?
    Not vain, just clean ;-)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Latex or nitrile gloves work better for me than vinyl gloves when I'm doing bike maintenance because my fingernails cut the vinyl gloves to shreds. And because they never seem to stock anything larger than 'medium', which is a bother when you have long fingers. Inevitably I have to wash my hands anyway, and I simply go at my nails and cuticles with soap and a stiff nailbrush, then moisturise afterwards.

    For washing my bike, it's on with the Marigolds. They seem to make my hands smell awful though so I moisturise beforehand.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. MeepMeep
    Member

    Excellent, thank you for the suggestions. Will look to source a box of nitrile gloves.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. BikeFan
    Member

    Daily user of nitrile gloves.

    Used to get them from Gompels.co.uk but Costco ones last longer for us. If you just need them for cleaning the bike you'll get away with using the Gompels. Also available from ScrewFix but at a much dearer price.

    The UltraCheapyVersion is to put non-holed carrier bags over your hands and keep them up on your arms with elastic bands :o)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. LivM
    Member

    +1 for the gloves.
    I use Rema Tip Top Hand cleaner for a lovely gritty cleaning up job on my fingers after - seems to do the job and the tube I have has lasted for a very long time (not much needed).

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. amir
    Member

    I use latex gloves. To clean up I use baby wipes, which are remarkably effective (and good at cleaning frames as well)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. stiltskin
    Member

    TBH I find a well worked in hand cream before starting work is just as good as gloves. The oil/grease has nothing to adhere to.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    +1 for gloves and a barrier cream but if all else fails washing up liquid mixed with caster sugar usually takes the worst off.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. gembo
    Member

    I use swarfega. If going out I use white spirit. I imagine neither very Eco. Still the gloves are probably as bad from that perspective?.? I need a new nail brush as the old one was thrown out for being disgusting.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. sallyhinch
    Member

    A gardener's tip (which I have never tried but keep meaning to) is to dig your nails into a bar of soap beforehand - the white soap supposedly blocks out the black earth (or oil). Of course, as a gardener, my hands are usually covered in muck anyway so a little bike oil here or there hardly shows.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  13. wee folding bike
    Member

    Gritty Swarfega in the blue tub and a nail brush.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  14. paolobr
    Member

    LivD - I also use Rema Tip Top, and have a tube that's lasted for years. Well worth it.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  15. DaveC
    Member

    Surely you must have a pair of marigolds under the sink in the kitcken?

    (I'll grab my coat (and tin lid)).

    Posted 12 years ago #

  16. threefromleith
    Member

    Baby wipes. Remove oil in a jiffy. I now carry a small pack in my rucksack for cleaning up after on-the-road repairs.

    Posted 12 years ago #

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