Ultrasonic cleaner?

[theemartymac]

If you love cycling but hate the maintenance that comes along with it, consider buying a bicycle. Then WD-40 Specialist Bike Degreaser is for you. It’s the easiest way to clean your bike, without disassembly. You simply spray it on, wait a few minutes and rinse off. It will dry up quickly, leave no dirt and other particles during application, and cause no damage to bike paint and varnish. In addition, it removes muck, grime, dirt, grease, and other tenacious contaminants from your bike chain.

I keep a bottle of that WD 40 degreaser, as well as some Dawn Power Spray dish soap in my bike cleaning bucket. The WD-40 gets a brief spray on the drivetrain and greasiest parts at the start of the wash cycle, and the Dawn powerspray does the tires, wheels, and painted surfaces. Super cheap if you just buy a concentrated refill bottle, and Dawn does a good job on light grease. Spray on, rinse off after 2 mins, and no/little scrubbing.

I have certainly thought about an ultrasonic cleaner though too for that seasonal deep maintenance and things like bearings. I have seen how well they work and would find plenty of uses for it with all my other toys. Christmas is coming, lol

 

[PedalUma]

I have a very small ultrasonic cleaner. I use it mostly on old top shelf derailleurs. I mix bio-degreaser with water and just let them soak for a couple of hours on each side before turning the cleaner on. I am sensitive to its sound so I turn it on before a ride or getting lunch. Most older derailleurs are just not worth the trouble. Just some high foam industrial Dawn works great to clean chains on a bike while turning the crank. Then I give them a rinse and a soak in aqueous wax emulsion in a zip lock bag.

 

[jackducan]

Use these practical tips on cleaning a bike cassette that is easy to make me like a pro. I just need some things like Rags, cloth, and mat, Elbow grease (water-soluble), Chain-lube spray (i.e. WD40 on bike cassette), Buckets with water, paintbrush, sponge, and soap, etc to do this process.

 

[Marcela]

I changed to paraffin wax. Only cleaner I need is a bucket of hot water

 

[Zekeer]

I searched the forums and didn't find any posts related to using an ultrasonic cleaner for bike maintenance so here goes...

Cleaning the cassette should be done periodically. I do it less often than I should simply because it's tedious. I'm considering getting an $80 ultrasonic cleaner that would take care or this. I might even clean my chain more throughly, stranger things have happened...

Anyone have experience with this?

View attachment 61282
My 11-sp cassette after manually scrubbing ALL the pieces.

Have you ever considered kerosene ? I've used an ultrasonic cleaner on gun parts . IMO it works great for things you can't clean by hand due to all the nooks and crannies .

 

[Zekeer]

Use these practical tips on cleaning a bike cassette that is easy to make me like a pro. I just need some things like Rags, cloth, and mat, Elbow grease (water-soluble), Chain-lube spray (i.e. WD40 on bike cassette), Buckets with water, paintbrush, sponge, and soap, etc to do this process.

WD40 is not a lubricant . It's really bad for chains etc .

 

[Gionnirocket]

WD40 is not a lubricant . It's really bad for chains etc .

Not true... It actually works very well but it's pitfall is that it only last +/- 150 miles depending on conditions.
I find it very easy to use as it's a very good cleaner (if not the best) and it does lubricate as shifts and chain are silent after using it. Just remember to wipe off any excess.
I've started dipping new chains when they arrive with congealed factory oil.

Industrial Lubricants Suppliers | WD-40 One Gallon Can | WD-40

The one gallon can of WD-40 is ideal for heavy-duty industrial sized jobs including soaking and dipping. Those seeking industrial lubricants from suppliers can look no further than the one gallon can of WD-40. Protect metal against rust and corrosion, and use WD-40 to lubricate almost anything.

www.wd40.com

 

[Zekeer]

Not true... It actually works very well but it's pitfall is that it only last +/- 150 miles depending on conditions.
I find it very easy to use as it's a very good cleaner (if not the best) and it does lubricate as shifts and chain are silent after using it. Just remember to wipe off any excess.
I've started dipping new chains when they arrive with congealed factory oil.

Industrial Lubricants Suppliers | WD-40 One Gallon Can | WD-40

The one gallon can of WD-40 is ideal for heavy-duty industrial sized jobs including soaking and dipping. Those seeking industrial lubricants from suppliers can look no further than the one gallon can of WD-40. Protect metal against rust and corrosion, and use WD-40 to lubricate almost anything.

www.wd40.com

This is right off their Website Myth: WD-40 Multi-Use Product is not really a lubricant. Fact: While the “W-D” in WD-40 stands for Water Displacement, WD-40 Multi-Use Product is a unique, special blend of lubricants. The product's formulation also contains anti-corrosion agents and ingredients for penetration, water displacement and soil removal.

WD-40 Myths & Fun Facts​

https://www.wd40.com › myths-legends-fun-facts

 

[PedalUma]

I have worked on bikes where people have applied WD-40 without ever cleaning. I makes hard black tar throughout the entire drivetrain. The best thing is to toss it all and start fresh after stripping off all the oils. The jockey wheels will hardly turn on these Junkers.

 

[Gionnirocket]

This is right off their Website Myth: WD-40 Multi-Use Product is not really a lubricant. Fact: While the “W-D” in WD-40 stands for Water Displacement, WD-40 Multi-Use Product is a unique, special blend of lubricants. The product's formulation also contains anti-corrosion agents and ingredients for penetration, water displacement and soil removal.

WD-40 Myths & Fun Facts​

https://www.wd40.com › myths-legends-fun-facts

So it is a Lubricant... Your post #27 says that it is not and its bad for chains.
I recently switched to it on a new chain as the factory oil was congealed and afterwards was very clean and working well so now I'm testing it against T9 Boeshield Bicycle (wax based)
1000 mi and I like it better as the chain is staying cleaner and just as quiet.
Like any product it has to be used correctly.

 

[Zekeer]

So it is a Lubricant... Your post #27 says that it is not and its bad for chains.
I recently switched to it on a new chain as the factory oil was congealed and afterwards was very clean and working well so now I'm testing it against T9 Boeshield Bicycle (wax based)
1000 mi and I like it better as the chain is staying cleaner and just as quiet.
Like any product it has to be used correctly.

I didn't say it's not a lube . WD themselves does . It's not my opinion . It's theirs

 

[Gionnirocket]

I didn't say it's not a lube . WD themselves does . It's not my opinion . It's theirs

?
Might I suggest that you reread it... smh...


Additionally from the link you provided.

Myth: WD-40 Multi-Use Product should not be used on bike chains.

Fact: While WD-40 Multi-Use Product it is not a grease, it is formulated with strong lubricating oils and other ingredients, and is a terrific product to use for bike maintenance. It does not attract dirt or moisture to metal surfaces – just be sure to wipe off any excess WD-40 Multi-Use Product before riding.

 

[Zekeer]

?
Might I suggest that you reread it... smh...


Additionally from the link you provided.

Myth: WD-40 Multi-Use Product should not be used on bike chains.

Fact: While WD-40 Multi-Use Product it is not a grease, it is formulated with strong lubricating oils and other ingredients, and is a terrific product to use for bike maintenance. It does not attract dirt or moisture to metal surfaces – just be sure to wipe off any excess WD-40 Multi-Use Product before riding.

I've used the stuff myself : I have since switched to CRC 336 : On my bikes I use oil on the RD and lube my chain with some sort of wax . While just my opinion . I think cleaning bikes all the time is over-rated to get us to buy stuff. Biking honestly isn't my thing . It's not my passion . I'm one that has alot of interests and goes in phases with which I'm into most at any given time. So I am sure you know way more on this subject then I do.
I can take them apart and work on them . But I've never paid much attention to cleaning . I use kerosene , because that's what we used to clean our dirt bikes . It cut thru the oil and dirt and left a coating that sheds water . Doesn't hurt the paint and dries spotless. I even use an air compressor to dry things fast when in a hurry . That's probably considered bad as well .

 

[Gionnirocket]

I've used the stuff myself : I have since switched to CRC 336 : On my bikes I use oil on the RD and lube my chain with some sort of wax . While just my opinion . I think cleaning bikes all the time is over-rated to get us to buy stuff. Biking honestly isn't my thing . It's not my passion . I'm one that has alot of interests and goes in phases with which I'm into most at any given time. So I am sure you know way more on this subject then I do.
I can take them apart and work on them . But I've never paid much attention to cleaning . I use kerosene , because that's what we used to clean our dirt bikes . It cut thru the oil and dirt and left a coating that sheds water . Doesn't hurt the paint and dries spotless. I even use an air compressor to dry things fast when in a hurry . That's probably considered bad as well .

You'd be surprised how much we have in common. I use WD40 for the same reason you use kerosene but without the smell or flammability concern. That and I have no other use for kerosene.
I think much of chain discussion is total bs and that's why I'm leaning back towards wd40. Keeping the chain clean is just as important as lubed and Wd does both fast, easily and very inexpensively.
Those that have had issues with WD is mostly because of misuse and more so of just repeating what others have parrot'd.
If you over_apply on a filthy chain without whipping down.. then you'll have issues. But that would be the same for any product.

I'll finish with.... My compressor is also one of my best friends

 

[Zekeer]

You'd be surprised how much we have in common. I use WD40 for the same reason you use kerosene but without the smell or flammability concern. That and I have no other use for kerosene.
I think much of chain discussion is total bs and that's why I'm leaning back towards wd40. Keeping the chain clean is just as important as lubed and Wd does both fast, easily and very inexpensively.
Those that have had issues with WD is mostly because of misuse and more so of just repeating what others have parrot'd.
If you over_apply on a filthy chain without whipping down.. then you'll have issues. But that would be the same for any product.

I'll finish with.... My compressor is also one of my best friends

While it's true Kerosene stinks . And while any combustible has the possibility to burn . Kerosene , at least in my experience isn't flammable to the extent of explosive like gas is . I smoked when younger . Never thought twice about lighting up while using Kerosene . Something I'd never do in a million years with gas. I'll have to try WD next year . I'm where warm is already considered to be 45 degrees in the afternoon . I actually have one of those coated chains from KMC Eco protech or something like that . PLan to throw it on this weekend . See how it holds up in the month or so I have left to attempt riding .