Non-bike-specific degreaser

[LegendRider]

I decided to try a non-bike-specific degreaser to save a few bucks. I picked-up Zep 505 at Home Depot. It cleans effectively, but I was alarmed that it left a cloudiness on my polished aluminum parts (7800 cranks) and spotting on my rims. I've been able to clean the cranks, but the rims (both anodization and brake track) still have spotting.

So, I won't be using it anymore, but I'm curious what caused the problem. Any ideas?

http://www.zepcommercial.com/product/Fast-505-Industrial-Cleaner-and-Degreaser

[sngk]

I saw a rare-ish TA crank get really messed up by Zep Purple a couple years ago. Heavy clouding, as described by the OP.

This was at the hands of a locally respected career mechanic in a pretty nice shop. I guess the moral is get a specialist for any restoration work...

I wondered about the chemistry then, but didn't look anything up.

[parallelfish]

Simple Green will do the same thing.

[sg8357]

Simple Green will dissolve tires, so don't use it to clean brake tracks
with the tire mounted.

I stick to Dawn, safe for ducks, bikes and people.

[Joachim]

Simple Green will do the same thing.

This is why you need to use Simple Green Precision cleaner which is different from 'everyday' Simple Green.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001VXU7OE?pc_redir=1401941328&robot_redir=1

[shovelhd]

I think it's lye. I use orange citrus cleaner for quick degreasing cleanups. For drivetrain parts is use mineral spirits in a powered parts cleaner.

[spartanKid]

I've found Goo-Gone to be a pretty good degreaser that hasn't damaged/discolored anything that I've noticed.

If the discoloration is a residue left by something, I'd try some isopropyl alcohol or dilute acetone.


Found the MSDS for Zep 505:

http://images.zepcommercial.com/english/Fast-505-Industrial-Cleaner-and-Degreaser-English-MSDS-ZUCSPP32.pdf

"Benzenesulfonic acid"

[Bob Ross]

Simple Green will dissolve tires, so don't use it to clean brake tracks
with the tire mounted.

Ruh-roh...

Really? I've been using it for the past 8 or 9 years and haven't noticed any problems.

[stephenmarklay]

As above likely a strong base. I have used dollar store "awesome" cleaner for years and it cleans much better than say simple green but does not discolor aluminum.

For really strong surf I use the citrus goo-gone or similar which works well but I use the above cleaner after to get the slime off.

[Tandem Rider]

I've been using Simple Green for over years. I have used other degreasers when my supplier was out. I used Dawn before that. I always dilute it which is probably why I have never had a problem. Nothing soaks in it, ever. I don't disassemble the bike to clean it. 2 small buckets of mixed cleaner, strong mix for drivetrain and weak mix for everything else. Scrub with appropriate brushes and rinse, let dry and lube. I think it's a bad idea to leave any solvent strong enough to break down grease on the bike or it's parts for long.

[dave thompson]

Simple Green will dissolve tires, so don't use it to clean brake tracks
with the tire mounted.

I stick to Dawn, safe for ducks, bikes and people.
Old wife's tale and not correct. If pure (undiluted Simple Green) is left in contact with rubber for an extended period of time, say 50 hours, it will strip the oils from the rubber and the tire will become soft. Model car racers spray Simple Green on their tires, let sit for an hour or two and then rinse off to make their tire grip better.

[rePhil]

I don't like Dawn for cleaning painted frames. Dawn's job is to remove oils. Do that enough to a paint job and it will deteriorate the clear coat and paint.
I use mineral spirits followed by car wash.

[sg8357]

Ruh-roh...

Really? I've been using it for the past 8 or 9 years and haven't noticed any problems.

I pulled a Michelin Pro3 off the front wheel, for the first time in a couple years,
tire around the bead was gooey mess in several spots.

[Admiral Ackbar]

i use automotive degreaser from the dollar store, works pretty damn well. i usually dilute it down to 50/50 for general cleaning and just straight for cleaning drivetrain pieces. can't beat the price and it doesn't seem to hurt anodize or alloy (or your skin)

[Jgrooms]

Simple Green in various solutions is the go to. Dissolves tires? If so, I'd have no tires :-((

Bike goes on stand. Gets a pre rinse if its been in the mud.

Spray bike with 50/50 water - SD mix. Attention to brake track.

Dishwash soap in the bucket.

100% SG in chain scrubber.
100% SG sprayed on drive train.

Go to it.

Dissolves tires....:-))



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dave thompson]

I pulled a Michelin Pro3 off the front wheel, for the first time in a couple years,
tire around the bead was gooey mess in several spots.

Not proof of action from Simple Green.

BTW, rubbing alcohol on a green Scotchbrite pad cleans brake tracks very well.

[foon]

As above likely a strong base. I have used dollar store "awesome" cleaner for years and it cleans much better than say simple green but does not discolor aluminum.

For really strong surf I use the citrus goo-gone or similar which works well but I use the above cleaner after to get the slime off.

"Awesome" is great stuff!

[GeorgeTSquirrel]

Car wash stuff in water to wipe down the bike, never use dish soap... if it damages car paint it can't be good for bikes either.

Simple green, not diluted for drivetrain parts. I've never had a tire dissolve (but I don't let the simple green dry on there either...).

[Ligero]

Any degreaser with sodium hydroxide will remove anodizing and depending on the quality of the anodized finish it will not take very long. Silicic acid will also cloud anodizing but will not remove it completely like sodium hydroxide. Zep Purple degreaser the main ingredient is sodium hydroxide and Zep 505 has silicic acid in it.

On a side note if you do use Zep Purple to degrease anything use good rubber gloves or wash your hands really good if you get it on your hands, it will take your finger prints off, ask me how I know..

[Dead Man]

I was using Greased Lightening on my bike one time, and suddenly had a memory of using it to strip the anodize off a gun part once. I rinsed it off right quick, but I don't think it had gotten on any clear anodized parts at that point- crankset is hard-coat and carbon, and the frame was painted aluminum. Lucky me!

I've been really leery ever since- just as others hve said, Dawn and warm water are all I use now for cleaning, WD-40 for degreasing.

[ericssonboi]

To cure the problem, although this may not always work; applying some Car Chrome Polish wax on parts usually helps restore the finish but is not guarenteed.

I've used Mothers Chrome Polish with good success on Dura Ace 7400 cranks but does not give you the same original finish.

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/05208.html

[LegendRider]

Any degreaser with sodium hydroxide will remove anodizing and depending on the quality of the anodized finish it will not take very long. Silicic acid will also cloud anodizing but will not remove it completely like sodium hydroxide. Zep Purple degreaser the main ingredient is sodium hydroxide and Zep 505 has silicic acid in it.

On a side note if you do use Zep Purple to degrease anything use good rubber gloves or wash your hands really good if you get it on your hands, it will take your finger prints off, ask me how I know..

Thanks!