Bike cleaners question-Cleaning to sell.

Hello. I'm clenaing my bike to sell and was just after some know how. I have wheel cleaner, brake cleaner and a solvent spray degreaser. What is safe to use where cos I always hear you can use this on that and that on this etc but can't remember which is which. Before you all butt in and say use them for what they're for I'm not that silly but I'm sure brake cleaner can be used on loads of things. Am I right here?

Also, any good tips on cleaning up a bike to sell would be appreciated. Which bits are looked at and which aren't.

Thanks.

P.S. I have some rust on the lower triple clamp. Will fine wire wool do the trick for this?

Oh yeah I've got chain cleaner too.

Originally Posted by teriyakimonkey

Hello. I'm clenaing my bike to sell and was just after some know how. I have wheel cleaner, brake cleaner and a solvent spray degreaser. What is safe to use where cos I always hear you can use this on that and that on this etc but can't remember which is which. Before you all butt in and say use them for what they're for I'm not that silly but I'm sure brake cleaner can be used on loads of things. Am I right here?

Also, any good tips on cleaning up a bike to sell would be appreciated. Which bits are looked at and which aren't.

Thanks.

P.S. I have some rust on the lower triple clamp. Will fine wire wool do the trick for this?

Dont get anything on the brakes except the brake cleaner, try not to get anything on the tyres but if you do rinse it off with alot of water. Brake cleaner can also be used to clean the chain and sprockets I think (but re-lube the chain after!)

Matt

Oh, the degreaser - only use it if you really really have to

Matt

Why's that with the degreaser?

[fizzwheel]

Muc off, spray it all over, agitate and then rinse off.

Use the degreaser on the manky engine bits, WD40 sprayed on a rag brings up wheels a treat. But keep it away from the brake disks...

Then get some Mr Sheene and a soft cloth and spray all your plastics with it, brings up nice and shiney.

I'm a bit picky and I tend to climb all over a bike when I'm looking at one, I'll poke about inside the fairing and give it good going over.

I tend to look at the mechnical stuff, more than cosmetics though TBH.

i only use wd40 on the engine and oily bits, autosol on the shiney bits and a good polish on the paintwork. when i go to buy a bike thats advertized as "MINT" i always look at the chain an sprocks, back wheel and swing arm, forks and front wheel, exhaust, if these parts are in good condition clean and tidy then i'm happy.

Originally Posted by teriyakimonkey

Why's that with the degreaser?

It can be quite strong, and corrode things (rubber tubing, may affect the tyre rubber etc)

As long as you wash it off, its ok, but I'd rather avoid using it all together and put in some elbow grease

but if you gotta use it, use it. Just be carefull

Matt

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Muc off, spray it all over, agitate and then rinse off.

Use the degreaser on the manky engine bits,

I tend to look at the mechnical stuff, more than cosmetics though TBH.

Cheers. Is Muc off that good? I've always used turtle wax car cleaner!

I haven't really got any manky engine bits as it's only 7500 miles old.

Had the rear wheel off to get a puncture repaired so used the opportunity to give it and the sprocket a good clean-in the bath! (Live in a top floor flat). Gonna do swing arm and shock tomorrow.

Some degresser can make the ally frame go streaky