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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
Simple Green on drivetrain?

PlacidPirate108

Nov 2, 09 6:11

Post #1 of 21 (871 views)

Simple Green on drivetrain?	Can't Post

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?

Mooseman Half Iron: June 7, Ironman Lake Placid: July 26, Timberman: Aug 23 Ironman, 70.3 World Championships: Nov 14

Bob Loblaw

Nov 2, 09 6:19

Post #2 of 21 (858 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [PlacidPirate108] [In reply to]	Can't Post

-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.
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http://positivesplits.blogspot.com

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trirsquared

Nov 2, 09 6:21

Post #3 of 21 (853 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [PlacidPirate108] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Don't allow it to get on any raw (non-anodized or painted) aluminum. It will etch it slightly.

sarracco

Nov 2, 09 6:26

Post #4 of 21 (840 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [PlacidPirate108] [In reply to]	Can't Post

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.

chris_mac

Nov 2, 09 6:49

Post #5 of 21 (801 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [PlacidPirate108] [In reply to]	Can't Post

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

Record10Carbon

Nov 2, 09 6:55

Post #6 of 21 (790 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [PlacidPirate108] [In reply to]	Can't Post

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.

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Mediocre is just that...When did it start becoming a life goal?

tjs

Nov 2, 09 6:55

Post #7 of 21 (786 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [PlacidPirate108] [In reply to]	Can't Post

It's all I have ever used. 10 plus years with no problems. Aluminum bikes, ti bikes, carbon bikes, etc. Never any issues.

grady

Nov 2, 09 6:58

Post #8 of 21 (776 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [PlacidPirate108] [In reply to]	Can't Post

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.

prattzc

Nov 2, 09 6:59

Post #9 of 21 (774 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [tjs] [In reply to]	Can't Post

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.
MTMBWY

jmhtx

Nov 2, 09 7:09

Post #10 of 21 (750 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [Bob Loblaw] [In reply to]	Can't Post

"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.

http://velonews.com/article/9216

Bob Loblaw

Nov 2, 09 7:54

Post #11 of 21 (714 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [jmhtx] [In reply to]	Can't Post

yeah, that's the article i was thinking of.
makes sense...
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http://positivesplits.blogspot.com

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triguy42

Nov 2, 09 10:12

Post #12 of 21 (607 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [Bob Loblaw] [In reply to]	Can't Post

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?

Charter Member - HED Mafia Mad

fishgo

Nov 2, 09 11:18

Post #13 of 21 (552 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [Record10Carbon] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

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.

yotoma

Nov 2, 09 11:25

Post #14 of 21 (538 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [jmhtx] [In reply to]	Can't Post

So take away is to do it quick.

athlete3

Nov 2, 09 13:57

Post #15 of 21 (433 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [yotoma] [In reply to]	Can't Post

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.

PJT

Nov 2, 09 14:13

Post #16 of 21 (412 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [PlacidPirate108] [In reply to]	Can't Post

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.

(This post was edited by PJT on Nov 2, 09 14:16)

yotoma

Nov 3, 09 15:54

Post #17 of 21 (263 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [PlacidPirate108] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

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.

olddude

Nov 3, 09 17:07

Post #18 of 21 (212 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [yotoma] [In reply to]	Can't Post

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.

jkahan

Nov 3, 09 17:40

Post #19 of 21 (180 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [PlacidPirate108] [In reply to]	Can't Post

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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fastskiguy

Nov 3, 09 17:53

Post #20 of 21 (167 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [jkahan] [In reply to]	Can't Post

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.

jroden

Nov 3, 09 18:03

Post #21 of 21 (154 views)

Re: Simple Green on drivetrain? [fastskiguy] [In reply to]	Can't Post

That green stuff works nicely, it seems like hot water helps the process a little. The Gunk foaming engine brite cleaner is pretty much the gold standard when faced with a real grimy mess.