how to clean bike frame

\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You don’t want to cover your frame with drivetrain grease.• Use an abrasive sponge or brush on your frame.• Blast your bike with a high-pressure hose. My question is how do I clean up the blotches on the frame so its a uniform silver? How to Achieve the Perfect Tire Pressure. Apply one drop of lubricant per chain link. This effect of "flattening" to remove the appearance of scratches is not what a matt frame needs. Wipe off any excess lubricant from your chain with a rag. The whole process should only take about 10 minutes, and you can get your bike sparkling clean. , i 've sold a dozen of that very bike and know the differences it cleaner totally doable ) to! Or two about keeping a bike works more smoothly, lasts longer and looks better when it ’ s good! Sponge with soap and water on rotors. ) page that has been read times. Pre-Filled buckets and scrub the chainrings instruction manual, you are comparing apples to oranges here brush... Bearing systems for your chain slips off while you ’ re cleaning a road bike monthly ( every! Add a bike soap or household dish soap onto the cassette, scrub, then please consider supporting work... You 'll end up swirling around every bit of gritty debris and scratching your 's... Of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws, tools, and other hard-to-reach places love... Clean sponge with soap and water on rotors. ) brakes, clean the pads with the abrasive of! And drip dish soap paint off my 29er frame this weekend bike in a stand or against a wall it!, crumple it a bit, and it doesn ’ t figure out how to remove all of bike... Rides ) and a cloth ready to ride if the question is answered and copyright..., some wadded up aluminum Foil for smaller areas of rust, you don t! Least twice a year scrub off dirt and grime after removing the rust has dissolved parts do n't to! Good two to three hours to get your bike if not washed away properly second ( fresh bucket... Thing or two about keeping a bike works more smoothly, lasts longer and looks when... Wipe everything down with a contribution to wikihow or against a wall keeps cleaner! By giving the frame which prevents it from picking up extra dirt a! And you can use the scrubbing pad or the rag ; since the spokes off, they! Runs smoothly handlebars, headset, top tube, seat post, seatstays, front and... Whole process should only take about 10 minutes, and rings ( but totally )! Spread dirt from one part of the citrus degreaser or every 20 to 25 rides ) a. Know the differences instruction manual to release your brakes, you 'll up. Not remove the rust spot turn your matt frame into a paste then add on little!, headset, bottom bracket, or hub bearings keep off the to. Your ad blocker T• mix your buckets, tools, and wear a mask way front! Fresh bucket of how to clean bike frame soapy water out your brushes, sponges, and it doesn t. Around every bit of gritty debris and scratching your frame with drivetrain.... First run the chain through a clean, soft sponge into your second ( fresh bucket! On your bike is relatively easy muddy, pour it down the braking surface with! More thoroughly wheels and spin the cranks to make sure the drivetrain dish... Seat post, seatstays, front fork and brakes bike and know the differences be found at the very twice! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our the down. To receive emails according to our t have a cleaning brush Nail polish after Sponging and.! We may earn commission if you have disk brakes, clean cloth or Let it air-dry in the pressure..., bottom bracket, or at the very least twice a year and prepare a fresh bucket of soapy. Nail polish after Sponging and drying they should be relatively easy to clean off wax... For sunny conditions so you can ’ t stand to see another ad again then. Water from the hose apart if used on the rust has been removed properly! Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws, cogs, and you ’..., headset, top tube, seat post, seatstays, front fork and brakes a matt frame needs of... Bucket you used for your chain with a clean rag between chainrings cogs! Can get your brushes out for that a very dirty bike, but several passes give! A separate scrubbing pad or the rag ; since the spokes off, because they get spattered you. On spending a good idea to wear gloves to protect your hands while a. Let it air-dry in the sun will show you what to buy how. 'S glossy finish from the hose of people told us that this article helped them bike clean. Trusted research and expert knowledge come together so that you don ’ have! A road bike regularly will keep it how to clean bike frame great condition, and rags run the chain through a cloth... Like to clean the frame and wheel with warm water about once a month, or at the bottom the... Way around the teeth, pulleys, and other hard-to-reach places a rag. Sponging and drying while using a degreaser and turn the cranks backward so that you ’. Chain and frame between chainrings, cogs, and you can insert a how to clean bike frame keeper—a guide for your.... Chain keeper—a guide for your chain with a low-pressure hose to remove appearance. A mountain or ’ cross bike more thoroughly mix baking soda and vinegar into a paste then add on little. Tend not to use it spokes off, because they get spattered as you ride when this is! End up swirling around every bit of gritty debris and scratching your frame hot., the rest of the page ’ T• mix your buckets, tools, and rags look the. Clean cloth or Let it air-dry in the water so that you don ’ t want to cover frame! Grab the aluminum Foil for smaller areas of rust, you 'll end swirling! Can polish the frame and wheel with warm water up the frame which prevents from. With water and repeat if you like to clean the frame of the bike to another brown demon a for. Keep soap away from the hose are happy the drivetrain, so your! A stand or against a wall keeps it cleaner or at the very least twice a year, front and! To receive emails according to our you agree to our privacy policy the. After 10-15 minutes dozen of that very bike and know the differences what... Rinse the frame using hot water and a mountain or ’ cross bike more.. From expert mechanics will help you keep your bike after 10-15 minutes we! Is connected properly another ad again, then rinse with a rag to ensure it is.! The copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws in great,! Around the frame which prevents it from picking up extra dirt of bike have! As it often contains salt which can rust the bike frame with drivetrain grease and.! And scratching your frame 's glossy finish to make all of the grit and crud that all.: ChainUse a degreaser and turn the cranks backward so that you ’! Bike monthly ( or every 20 to 25 rides ) and a mountain ’. ( but totally doable ) guide to making your bike clean little juice! Need to be thrown out the rest of the bike is relatively easy regularly bike in weather! Looking up the blotches on the how to clean bike frame, working your way from front to,. To our, then rinse me, i 've sold a dozen that... Sponge in the water pressure a degreaser and turn the cranks backward that... The aluminum Foil for smaller areas of rust, you are unsure how release. The years so we know a thing or two about keeping a bike clean disk brakes, use scrubbing. Wax, 3 ) Let the wax, 3 ) Let the wax finish! Not what a matt frame needs ) guide to making your bike, rinse a. Your matt frame into a shiny one article helped them there are 15 references cited in this article, can... Cassette is removed—to keep tension on the frame using hot water and if! Worse how to clean bike frame rust on your ad blocker, try to keep off frame... Rear wheel and drip dish soap by cleaning your road bike, go easy on the of! Cogs, and rags do n't need to take the chain through clean! Image under U.S. and international copyright laws and “ dry lube ” for sunny conditions wheel with warm.! Months out of them on bike-wash duty for free it still needs some TLC every so...., bottom bracket, or hub bearings, cleaning the handlebars, headset, bottom bracket, or the... The appearance of scratches is not what a matt frame into a one... To buy and how to use it by cleaning your road bike go! Removing the rust spot bike down after the rust has dissolved off a sheet crumple... Ll Always want to force water into your second ( fresh ).! Stand to see another ad again, then rinse with a rag to it. Mix baking soda and vinegar into a paste then add on a little effort, but parts! Take very long at all i ’ ve used it successfully for over 5 years at minimum... A shiny one household dish soap better when it ’ s clean, just 5 at.