black magic marker .
OT: Bleached forks
I was reccomended to use simple green for cleaning the bike. I used it and never let it dry or run. sprayed on scred with wet towel then rinsed each section of the bike. I somehow managed to bleach my front forks on the outer lowers and also where the 2 forks join to the steering tube(the black alloy part). Has anyone ever had these issues and is there a way I can get them looking like they dont have run marks on them. Im sure I wont get the black back but anything to make them a "uniform" dull?... It sucks!! It is the only place that it did it. Nowhere on any other parts let alone any other black parts just the front forks...
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WORD!!:thumbsup:AZ.MTNS said:black magic marker .
strip the paint and polish them pretty
simple green can soften some metals
go get the bike dirty, you wont be able to tell
That totally sucks! I use Simple Green all the time and never had a problem, although I haven't used it on black fork stanchions yet, and now I probably never will. I did find this on their website though:
Aluminum - Is it safe to use Simple Green® 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 Green® Cleaner/Degreaser, Simple Green Pressure Washer Concentrates, and Pro Series™ Simple Green® 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 Green® product residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.
http://www.simplegreen.com/solutions_faqs.php?search_query=aluminum&search=Search
Aluminum - Is it safe to use Simple Green® 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 Green® Cleaner/Degreaser, Simple Green Pressure Washer Concentrates, and Pro Series™ Simple Green® 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 Green® product residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.
http://www.simplegreen.com/solutions_faqs.php?search_query=aluminum&search=Search
I've used Simple Green for years with no problems but only on the drive train components .
where were you on that one Mr..."I'll be there".....Phillbo said:I've used Simple Green for years with no problems but only on the drive train components .
I was there, u just did not see me .. like a break dancing bear
That is why the Military banned its use on in service equipment.motorcyclemike said:simple green can soften some metals
OP try using dish soap next time, it wont hurt anything on your bike and it will degrease stuff, for the drivetrain just use citris degreaser.
There's a recent thread about Simple Green.
yes, this oneJerk_Chicken said:There's a recent thread about Simple Green.
Hmm wonder where I can get some!berzerker said:I recommend this stuff. My black&white remedy is still nice and shiny, except for the chunks donated to our trails.
AzSpeedfreek said:That is why the Military banned its use on in service equipment.
QUOTE]
The military is very specific on what you can clean with so I would say that's why they banned it. They also banned cleaning the aircraft windows with over the counter cleaners like Windex.
Anyone care to explain how Simple Green can change the properties of steel? Looking for a scientific explanation not just "read it on the internet so it's got to be true"
I use car wash soap on my bike and citrus on the chain. I don't dilute the soap as much as I do for washing the car though.
As for the stained black sections, can you mask it off and spray it or rub it down with a polish or rubbing compound to make it uniform again? Without a picture of what it looks like, I can't really add much more
Good luck.
As for the stained black sections, can you mask it off and spray it or rub it down with a polish or rubbing compound to make it uniform again? Without a picture of what it looks like, I can't really add much more
Good luck.
Yep, aircraft windows are usually polycarbonate/lexan/plexiglass or some other material besides glass, and over time many products can produce a "haze" or cause "clouding" over time, not to mention that you have to be very carefull on what kind of cloth/wipe is used, as certain ones can scratch the windows over time as well.AKA Monkeybutt said:They also banned cleaning the aircraft windows with over the counter cleaners like Windex.
I am pretty sure it's aluminum that you need to worry about and not steel. What it does is accelerate the natural oxidation of aluminum, and generally only uncoated aluminum. As far as permanently staining the black coating on a fork leg (anodized I think), I am not sure what is going on there. Possibly the higher ph(9.5) of Simple Green?AKA Monkeybutt said:Anyone care to explain how Simple Green can change the properties of steel? Looking for a scientific explanation not just "read it on the internet so it's got to be true"
Either way, for general cleaning of your bike, just use a mild soapy water solution. For drive train degreasing, or stainless bearings, I have used S.G. for years with no prob.
.G.
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