NC30 - how to clean frame and forks

[tigerclaw]

So far, I have used degreaser and petrol, along with an abrasive brush, but it seems the only way to get the deep / "ingrained" dirt out of the frame or forks is to use a wire brush on an electric drill. I am a bit concerned about this because it can leave ferrous metal behind and later this can rust (obviously no physical damage to the frame but it looks crappy)... what process or chemicals do you use to get the frame and forks properly clean? Thanks

[Neosophist]

So far, I have used degreaser and petrol, along with an abrasive brush, but it seems the only way to get the deep / "ingrained" dirt out of the frame or forks is to use a wire brush on an electric drill. I am a bit concerned about this because it can leave ferrous metal behind and later this can rust (obviously no physical damage to the frame but it looks crappy)... what process or chemicals do you use to get the frame and forks properly clean? Thanks

Rust on an aluminium frame? Or do you mean remnants from the wire-brush? and wouldnt the brush take off all the paint?

I just use brush on gunk in a can, cheap from halfords, brush it on and leave it for a bit and the frame comes up nice.

[tigerclaw]

Yup - remnants from the wire brush is my concern... my frame doesnt seem to have any paint on it, but I only brushed the headstock section because someone had managed to overspray black spray paint on it, and yellow spray paint when they painted the under side of the tank? I have used mag wheel cleaner as well because they say you must spray it off within a minute so I thought / think it should be fairly aggressive. Without being funny, what exactly is the gunk in can called.. or is it called "gunk in a can"? on this end of the world we have an adhesive called "sticks like shit" so it may be possible? (and I'm not kidding we really have stuff called "sticks like shit"... really dodgy name)

[bikemonkey]

We have sticks like shit too here in the UK, my Dad's a builder and loves it.

Gunk is a brand of de-greaser, thick stuff in a can you brush on and leave to do its magic

[Adderboy]

If your frame is stock, it will come with a layer of lacquer over most of it to protect it from corrosion, be careful with the wire wheel not to take this off, and if your worried about remnants of the wire wheel rusting, get a brass bristled wire wheel, i use them on everything as you have alot more control than with the steel ones.
Also once the real bad crap has been shifted I've used a polishing wheel in the past as this takes the scratches off the lacquer giving it a nice glossy finish

[tigerclaw]

Thanks Adderboy - I will give that a crack this weekend

[Delboy]

I don't suppose you have Cillit Bang over there?
It's a house hold cleaner but I kid you not I used this on a bike that had been left outside for 5 years, got rid of mould, grease, moss, cobwebs in fact it cleaned metal, rubber and even bought up the foam clock surrounds like new

[tigerclaw]

I will have to look around , but I know we have stuff called easy off bang (I think) which is an australian product I think... as you can see my house hold detergent knowledge is limitted

[tigerclaw]

Wicked.. just googled and I see that cillit bang is marketed as easy off bang her in south africa.. they probably thought with how our crime nonsense gets advertised so much that kill it bang may be insensitive ... gonna get some tomorrow and clean it this weekend... next week I plan to powdercoat some of the engine covers (the previous owner lost it on the track once) and then next weekend the engine is going back in and the front suspension is going back on .... or thats the plan

[Delboy]

Give it a good soaking, work in with an old toothbrush then rinse...let us now how you get on