Is this okay? This stuff seems to clean greasy things really well and is inexpensive compared to bike company degreasers/ cleaners.
Is there anything I should know or is it safe to use on components?
-i’ve never done it…
-apparently, there are specific issues w/normal simple green hurting chains, bu there’s a special simple green that supposedly doesn’t. i’d do a google search (or search this site…) my recollection is that it does cut grease but also damages chains.
Don’t allow it to get on any raw (non-anodized or painted) aluminum. It will etch it slightly.
I’ve used it on my bikes for several years.
The U.S. Navy uses a diluted Simple Green solution to clean small arms. I’ve seen hundreds of M9 pistols and M16 rifles cleaned with it day-in and day-out for years. After soaking in a heated dunk tank and scrubbing the disassembled weapons, they are blown off with compressed air and coated with a light oil. No corrosion problems.
I figured if it was good for guns it was OK for my bike.
I’ve used it for years to clean my drivetrain. Never had a problem. Just be sure to rinse well with clean water and spin it dry.
I always use wd-40 to get rid of any remaining water and then get some 3 in 1 oil on there fast. Otherwise it will start to surface rust real quick.
CM
I use it all the time, cogsets, and any other part - just make sure you properly re-lube. Also, you can cut it real thin to use and a bottle will last for years.
It’s all I have ever used. 10 plus years with no problems. Aluminum bikes, ti bikes, carbon bikes, etc. Never any issues.
Used it for many years nd never any issues. I dilute it with water – almost a 50/50 mix and it works great, plus it makes the Simple Green last a long time.
I’ve used it for 2 years, just make sure you get it out of the cassette body (espcially if using SRAM Red Dome) or it starts to wear away at the unit. Make sure to dry it off completely and re-lube immediately after. Then go back and wipe off the excess lube after letting it sit for a few hours.
“my recollection is that it does cut grease but also damages chains.”
I think if you soak your chain for extended periods, days/months, that is when the damage occured. Spraying it on and removing it quickly causes no damage.
yeah, that’s the article i was thinking of.
makes sense…
My question is: If Simple Green is known to etch aluminum, known to cause hydrogen embrittlement of steel, and doesn’t work any better than other cleaners without those problems…then why use it?
I use it all the time, cogsets, and any other part - just make sure you properly re-lube. Also, you can cut it real thin to use and a bottle will last for years.
Good point; I didn’t think of that. I’ve always used it straight.
Saaaaay, when is Rockman for next year? I’m puttin’ the calendar together.
So take away is to do it quick.
Don’t soak it for very long… an hour maybe.
If you use it dilute it… I have used it for years at a 6:1 water to SG ratio.
Here’s a thread on it from a while back, including some Q&A from Lennard Zinn and a Simple Green rep: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=862864
FWIW, I’ve tried both regular SG and the aircraft-grade stuff. They both seem to clean a drivetrain pretty well.
Edit: oops, I see someone else linked to the Zinn column directly already.
Is this okay? This stuff seems to clean greasy things really well and is inexpensive compared to bike company degreasers/ cleaners.
Is there anything I should know or is it safe to use on components?
Don’t leave it on over night.
Anothe produce you couldlook at is citrus degreaser from home depot
I’ve used it for years without any damage. Use it on all components
including derailleur pulleys. Have gotten it on paint without problems.
Another plus your hands smell like citrus and washes off very easily.
i’ve used simple green as well as another one called Purple Power – about a 50/50 mix - I always rinse thoroughly and then use a leaf blower to dry and then relube –
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I’ve used simple green for years too on my chains, I use it in a park chain cleaner gizmo full strength. I spin the cranks backwards 50-100 times, rinse it off, repeat, and the chain is clean. Dry it with a rag then apply prolink.
I’ve used some aggressive citrus degreasers on my chains and found they never seemed to get lubed inside again…like it removed all of the lube or something from inside. The chains would be noise right away after relubing.