Cleaning a very old 2nd hand bike?

[Glumbags]

Hi everyone. I've just bought this very old beat up steel mtb off Gumtree. Rides very well.
It's a Rocky Mountain Hammer Ritchey Logic Tange frame.

It looks as though it's never been cleaned...at all! I tried to wash it yesterday, but the gunk appears to have been almost welded on!

1. Any tips on how to remove it? I've tried brushes, F1 cleaner etc but this hasn't really worked.
2. Any buying tips for - best degreaser? diy or specific bike cleaning stuff?
Many thanks in advance everyone.

[peetee]

I have occasionally had bikes to restore in such a state and I have to say, unfortunately, that ‘environmentally friendly’ citrus-based de-greasing fluids are pretty ineffective on stubborn dried and dirty grease.
I would establish which parts of the transmission still have life in them, arm myself with lots of old rags and get the majority of the cack off with them before using a spirit-based de-greaser on what remains.

[Brucey]

if it is dried on grease, it can be softened by spraying it with WD40 or GT85, and then either trying to clean immediately (whilst the solvent is present) or waiting until the oil part of the spray has soaked into the grot. Old toothbrush is handy.

Hot pressure wash will take crud off very well, but will also force water into the bearings if you are clumsy with it.

cheers

[Glumbags]

I have occasionally had bikes to restore in such a state and I have to say, unfortunately, that ‘environmentally friendly’ citrus-based de-greasing fluids are pretty ineffective on stubborn dried and dirty grease.
I would establish which parts of the transmission still have life in them, arm myself with lots of old rags and get the majority of the cack off with them before using a spirit-based de-greaser on what remains.

Thanks Peetee

[Glumbags]

[quote="Brucey"]if it is dried on grease, it can be softened by spraying it with WD40 or GT85, and then either trying to clean immediately (whilst the solvent is present) or waiting until the oil part of the spray has soaked into the grot. Old toothbrush is handy.

Hot pressure wash will take crud off very well, but will also force water into the bearings if you are clumsy with it.
Thanks Brucey

[mumbojumbo]

Hot ware with soda crystals,waash down.Apply white spirit on old dry cloth and take off with old towel.I had a RM hammer -good bikes and great fun.RM were considered the best in 1990s.

[pwa]

White spirit on a rag is always worth a go, especially as most of us have some in the DIY cupboard.

[Eyebrox]

A scourer pad with a touch of Fairy Liquid and WD40 mixed together on it, pushed into the awkward spots with a wooden tongue stick.

[slowster]

Many years ago I bought some Kroon 'Cleaning Oil'. I found it very effective at removing the worst dried on gunk and crud, needing only a small amount to be dispensed from the dropper spout and then worked in and rubbed off with a rag. I presume that it was essentially mineral oil, but it seemed to be far more effective than the likes of WD40.

I've not seen it on sale in the UK since then, but this appears to be the current version:

https://hollandbikeshop.com/en-gb/bicycle-tools-maintenance/lubricant/oil/kroon-handy-cleaning-oil-100ml/

[Jdsk]

Haven't come across that: mineral oil + a small amount of DMSO:
https://api.kroon-oil.com/pdf/en/safetysheet/SDS-095007-handy-oil-EN.pdf

Jonathan

[Jdsk]

A scourer pad with a touch of Fairy Liquid and WD40 mixed together on it, pushed into the awkward spots with a wooden tongue stick.

And some water?

Jonathan

[Eyebrox]

A scourer pad with a touch of Fairy Liquid and WD40 mixed together on it, pushed into the awkward spots with a wooden tongue stick.

And some water?

Jonathan

Rinse off continually with water from a spray bottle.

[Jdsk]

Thanks

Jonathan

[Glumbags]

Hot ware with soda crystals,waash down.Apply white spirit on old dry cloth and take off with old towel.I had a RM hammer -good bikes and great fun.RM were considered the best in 1990s.

Thanks mumbojumbo

[Glumbags]

White spirit on a rag is always worth a go, especially as most of us have some in the DIY cupboard.

Thanks pwa