safe cleaner

[tbird]

I need to clean up some oil and road grime on the bottom of the engine. I took care of the leak. Bike is up on my lift so water is not available. Was thinking brake cleaner but am worried about the black wrinkle finish. Any suggestions?

[Hossamania]

I've always used brake cleaner, hasn't been a problem with motor or frame paint

[JW113]

Near as I can tell, brake cleaner these days is simply acetone. You can use it if you want, I find it tends to make the black wrinkle turn kind of gray. Why not Simple Green and water? Then after it's dry, follow up with your favorite silicone based "restorer" like Mother's Back to Black.

-JW

[Rusticwater]

I use WD-40 Specialist "contact cleaner" that I usually buy at Home Depot. The back label specifically says "safe to use on most plastics, rubber, and metal." I use it after oil changes on my Dyna to give the rubber engine mount a good bath. Now CRC makes contact cleaner too, however, I haven't found anything that specifically says it's safe to use on rubber like the WD-40 brand does.

FWIW certain brands of brake cleaner use formulations that include paint stripper and dry cleaning fluid, so I only use brake cleaner outdoors on parts far away from my bike.

[Bigs]

The absolute best stuff I found is Castle Shop Solv. It's a recyclable non chlorinated multi-purpose solvent. It doesn't hurt plastic or paint and dries quick and clean. Great when changing the oil filter and cleaning up the oil that driped. Also great for cleaning up oil on concrete. It's the only thing a couple of the bike shops use, it's great.
   Bigs

[Jim Bronson]

I have always used HD Engine Brightener with good results.

[Hossamania]

I have always used HD Engine Brightener with good results.

That stuff works pretty well

[hattitude]

For years I've been using Simple Green Extreme... it claims to be good on metal, plastic, rubber and painted surfaces...

https://simplegreen.com/industrial/products/extreme-aircraft-precision-cleaner/?locale=en

It's more expensive than the regular Simple Green, but it is kinder to metals. It was developed for aluminum aircraft.

I usually spring for a 5 gal pail, and that will last me for awhile. I use it on my bikes, cars, and until I sold my boat, it worked wonders in the engine room and bilges...

[dynabagger]

Silicone Shine by Muc-Off works really well. Makes the black parts pop!

[hbkeith]

Non Chlorinated brake clean

[sfmichael]

I used many of these suggested chemicals with good results. At my shop we use a lot of NAPA/Mac's #6200 degreaser. It's citrus scented and quite effective. It needs a few minutes to work. We rinse with water and dry with compressed air if needed.

[calif phil]

MucOff drivetrain cleaner is specifically made for what you want, works very well.

[mkd]

non clorinated brake cleaner or simple green in a strong concentrate.