cleaning fork parts

[theredark]

Hi all,

Just tore down  my right fork.  Need a new bushing, on order.  While waiting I figured I'd clean all the parts prior to reassembly (and brake calipers too).   I have a cheapo plastic harbor freight parts washer and it says not to use petroleum products in it.  Someone said they've used Super Clean from Walmart but it says it may damage aluminum.  Has anyone used this?  Do you dilute it or use it full strength.

Thanks all,

Brad

[Michvalk]

I use Super Clean for grease cleanup. Washed the walls in my house, wash anything hard to clean. That stuff will remove the top four layers of skin from your hands. Cant say what it would do to seals in your pump in the parts washer. Good luck
Oh by the way, rinse immediatly!!!

[sandy]

I use brake cleaner in the spray cans.

[Grumpy]

Hi all,

Just tore down  my right fork.  Need a new bushing, on order.  While waiting I figured I'd clean all the parts prior to reassembly (and brake calipers too).   I have a cheapo plastic harbor freight parts washer and it says not to use petroleum products in it.  Someone said they've used Super Clean from Walmart but it says it may damage aluminum.  Has anyone used this?  Do you dilute it or use it full strength.

Thanks all,

Brad

Do not use Super clean on aluminum, I tried it on an old aluminum valve cover off a bike I scrapped. It cleaned it, but it caused the aluminum to get a white powdery finish on it, that will not come off.
If you want to be safe, mineral spirits will clean it with out damaging it.

[Fudd]

I use brake cleaner in the spray cans.

+1  Me too

[theredark]

Thanks for the advice.  I did use brake parts cleaner and it worked well.  Now I just have to find out what type of grease to use to lubricate the wheel axle and the gear in the speedometer case (I got overzealous with the brake cleaner that was left over!).

Brad

[RP#62]

Mineral spirits (paint thinner) also works fine.  The ingredient in paint thinner is mineral spirits.  I check the cans at the big box stores and sometime one is cheaper than the other (marketing), but either way, its mineral spirits.
-RP