Date: 29-03-24  Time: 02:37 am

Author Topic: Cleaning gunk  (Read 5935 times)

DScooby

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Cleaning gunk
« on: 23 February 2012, 07:27:58 pm »
As I am trying to get the bike roadworthy again I thought I might as well clean as I go along. The last chain lube I used left a particularly thick gunk on the top and side of the swingarm. I recall wiping it down but it just left a really hard to shift smear.

What product would you recommend to cut through this and leave it nice and clean again?

DS
« Last Edit: 23 February 2012, 07:28:51 pm by DScooby »

JZS 600

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #1 on: 23 February 2012, 07:36:43 pm »
WD 40?

DScooby

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #2 on: 23 February 2012, 07:40:34 pm »
I did think of that and tried that first, doesn't shift it.

I've tried WD40, soap>water>scrubbing brush and a chain clean aerosol. I've got some lemon juice left over from Tuesday - will give that a go tomorrow  :)

JZS 600

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #3 on: 23 February 2012, 07:47:24 pm »
Oil's a detergent as well as a lubricant, you must have used very good chain lube!
 
Weird, most oil based products dissolve in WD or other paraffin based products.

John Silva

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #4 on: 23 February 2012, 07:52:15 pm »
How about dipping a rag in your petrol tank and using that.

  :eek with the price of petrol maybe not.  :rolleyes
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DScooby

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #5 on: 23 February 2012, 07:54:37 pm »
I'll give it another bash tomorrow with the WD40 (and the lemon juice  :) ) but I do recall last time it just sort of thickened to a proper sticky gunk.

The chain lube was applied after the bike's last service by a mechanic who 'tut tutted' at me as I was paying the bill. I did think he had overdone it to be honest!

DScooby

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #6 on: 23 February 2012, 07:56:50 pm »
  :eek with the price of petrol maybe not.  :rolleyes


lol

fazersharp

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #7 on: 23 February 2012, 08:29:14 pm »
You need parafin or called somtimes ceraseen (spelling) I sware by it, you get it in 5 ltr containers from most garage forcorts in the bin on the front along with wood sticks - coal etc. Far far safer than petrol
I don't do rain or threat there of. dry rider only with no shame.

DScooby

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #8 on: 23 February 2012, 08:43:54 pm »
Thanks Fazersharp. I've just looked and for some reason I do have a bit of parafin in the cupboard under the sink. The wife says it was for the fondue set we used to use........anyway, will give it a go.

Cheers.

DS

Bracechenko

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #9 on: 23 February 2012, 10:50:50 pm »
Just get some Muc-off motorcycle degreaser...spray it on and leave for 5 mins and rinse...it will AMAZE you how well it works!!

Fazer Jake

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #10 on: 24 February 2012, 10:53:38 am »
yuve answered your question in the title  :rolleyes  buy the spray 'gunk' great stuff eats oil for breakfast

JZS 600

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #11 on: 24 February 2012, 03:21:37 pm »
Kerosene, I think, is the US spelling of paraffin
 
Funnily enough it's the main constituent of WD 40,,,
 
You can also buy ethanol from wholesalers, goes nice with tonic  :eek and cleans ALL pipes and surfaces

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #14 on: 24 February 2012, 09:08:43 pm »
Quote
You can also buy ethanol from wholesalers, goes nice with tonic  :eek

 
The Nazis used ethanol (and LOX) as fuel in the V2 rocket.
When the Russians inherited the program the troops developed a habit of drinking the Rocket Fuel instead of Vodka.
Stalin made them all blind by changing to Methanol !
 
As said ... Petrol or Paraffin should do it ... One of those kitchen scourers with the white abrasive (for non-stick pans) would be good too.
Wouldn't use lemon-juice - its acidic.

His Dudeness

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #15 on: 24 February 2012, 11:16:35 pm »
lidl have a good engine degreaser called W5 i think. it works well and its cheap

fazersharp

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #16 on: 25 February 2012, 10:45:07 pm »
Paraffin best and cheepest by far Not sure exactly but think is safer than petrol if you get it on rubbers - like brake hose but would stear clear of those to be sure
I don't do rain or threat there of. dry rider only with no shame.

Bracechenko

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #17 on: 25 February 2012, 10:59:16 pm »
Paraffin best and cheepest by far Not sure exactly but think is safer than petrol if you get it on rubbers - like brake hose but would stear clear of those to be sure

Yeah be careful with rubbers. Whilst cleaning my chain with paraffin and using latex gloves I get about 5 - 10 mins before it's completely eaten through the latex!  :eek

DScooby

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #18 on: 26 February 2012, 08:52:06 am »
That's useful to know. I'm off to Lidl this morning as a start. If they dont have it then Halfords is just around the corner for the Gunk. Thanks for all the replies - will let you know.

DScooby

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #19 on: 26 February 2012, 11:13:50 am »
If 'Gunk' is good then 'Gunk Ultra' should be ridiculous...

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_154909_categoryId_255222_langId_-1?cm_sp=Intelligent_Offer-_-Product_Details_Zone_1-_-Blank&iozone=PDPz1


Bought some of this and gave the end of the swing arm a good spray. Left it for a few minutes and started wiping it off. Success (although it does still take a fair bit of elbow grease)

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #20 on: 27 February 2012, 10:01:30 am »
Looks like it would take your fingerprints off given half a chance!  :lol

Fuzzy

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #21 on: 27 February 2012, 05:08:22 pm »
Yeah, that Gunk Ultra stuff is pretty strong. I had a bottle a couple of years ago and never bought another because it can tarnish some surfaces and paints so be careful!

bikemad62

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #22 on: 11 March 2012, 07:52:24 am »
 :rolleyes Try white spirit or turps. scrape the lumps into a plastic bag

JZS 600

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #23 on: 19 March 2012, 06:54:23 pm »
GT 85 did the trick well and good at the weekend,, and cleaned up some other bits and pieces nicely.
 
They used to market 3 in 1 oil as a poishing and cleaning agent as well, if I remember rightly

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Re: Cleaning gunk
« Reply #24 on: 19 March 2012, 11:16:57 pm »
Depending on what the surface is i use a soft brass wire brush. Just used it on the rear shock linkage and came up a treat with that and some WD40.
I think most places sell them as spark plug brushes.
Lord,
Grant me the WD-40 to move those things that are stuck, the Duck tape to fasten those things that are loose, And the wisdom to know the difference.
Amen