Is there a safe engine cleaner?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, UT. Dushore, Pa.
+1 Simple Green, I don't cut it for the engine, etc., just spray it on and let it set for 5 min. then rinse well. I've started using the S100 Engine Brightener when the black is faded.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
Beware of products like Super Clean. That stuff will clean ovens and is very caustic. Also stay away from Brake Clean - it'll remove any and all wax plus it pretty tough on painted surfaces. Don't ask me how I know. Formula 409 will degrease the bottom of your bike and is fairly safe but I always rinse it off with a low pressure sprayer promptly to be sure.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 516
Likes: 29
From: Fenton, MO
I cut and pasted this from Simple Greens web site. If they feel the need to caution you on the use of their product on aluminum, that is good enough reason for me to not use it.
Here is the link to the page that I coppied it from.
http://www.simplegreen.com/solutions..._backup=danger
Here is the quote from their page.
Aluminum - Is it safe to use Simple GreenŽ on aluminum?
When used with caution and according to the instructions, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has been safely and successfully used to clean aluminum. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, Crystal Simple GreenŽ Cleaner/Degreaser, Simple Green Pressure Washer Concentrates, and Pro Series Simple GreenŽ Automotive Cleaner have been used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple GreenŽ product residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.
Here is the link to the page that I coppied it from.
http://www.simplegreen.com/solutions..._backup=danger
Here is the quote from their page.
Aluminum - Is it safe to use Simple GreenŽ on aluminum?
When used with caution and according to the instructions, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has been safely and successfully used to clean aluminum. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, Crystal Simple GreenŽ Cleaner/Degreaser, Simple Green Pressure Washer Concentrates, and Pro Series Simple GreenŽ Automotive Cleaner have been used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple GreenŽ product residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.
DO NOT USE SIMPLE GREEN unless it's on your enemy's bike. It's terrible.
I use Greased Lightening from Lowes, works great. Followed up with a good drenching of Armor All. That stuff keeps the engine as black as night and also smells pretty good when you're riding down the road
I use Greased Lightening from Lowes, works great. Followed up with a good drenching of Armor All. That stuff keeps the engine as black as night and also smells pretty good when you're riding down the road
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Columbus Mississippi
I cut and pasted this from Simple Greens web site. If they feel the need to caution you on the use of their product on aluminum, that is good enough reason for me to not use it.
Here is the link to the page that I coppied it from.
http://www.simplegreen.com/solutions..._backup=danger
Here is the quote from their page.
Aluminum - Is it safe to use Simple GreenŽ on aluminum?
When used with caution and according to the instructions, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has been safely and successfully used to clean aluminum. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, Crystal Simple GreenŽ Cleaner/Degreaser, Simple Green Pressure Washer Concentrates, and Pro Series Simple GreenŽ Automotive Cleaner have been used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple GreenŽ product residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.
Here is the link to the page that I coppied it from.
http://www.simplegreen.com/solutions..._backup=danger
Here is the quote from their page.
Aluminum - Is it safe to use Simple GreenŽ on aluminum?
When used with caution and according to the instructions, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has been safely and successfully used to clean aluminum. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, Crystal Simple GreenŽ Cleaner/Degreaser, Simple Green Pressure Washer Concentrates, and Pro Series Simple GreenŽ Automotive Cleaner have been used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple GreenŽ product residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 666
Likes: 5
From: Bay Area, CA
I've been using WD-40 for years and it has been completely safe on metal and plastic. Cleans off grease, road grime, etc, and it's cheap! Spray on/wipe off. You will be amazed. Pretty certain it will take scuff marks off chrome but I have not tried that myself. Just mop up good before you take off so your tires don't slip on it and down you go.
Happy Friday All!
Murph
Happy Friday All!
Murph