Cleaning up old alloy parts?

[Tim-D]

Being a natural tightwad, and being appalled at the build & component quality of some modern budget cycles (have you seen the cr*p in Hal****??????)I've just bought a late 70s and much neglected Dawes Galaxy for peanuts to potter around on - the joys of a mere...but perfectly adequate 10 speed... the autosol has been out as has a good spray of gunk and it's looking much better but the chainset and rear derailleur - which are perfectly functional remain a bit filthy with ingrained aged dirt & grease - any suggestions for an effective cleaner to tidy them up??????

Having sworn I'd just quickly rebuild for servicability and ride to enjoy as is - as it suits me way better than the weighty trek hybrid I've ebeen riding, now considering a full strip down, powdercoat the frame and total rebuild - updates or upgrades distinctly off the agenda though!

[SuperHangOn]

GT85

[Vladimir]

Have you got any wheel cleaner (for cars)? Neat Bilberry gets almost anything off. Just avoid any bearings and rinse it off very well!

[uncinqsix]

Brake cleaner. Wonderful stuff.

I'm actually doing something similar at the moment with a RX100 groupset. Brake cleaner and Autosol are doing the trick so far (with some help with the wire brush wheel/wet and dry for particulary tatty bits).

[Barchettaman]

WD40 and Microfibre cloths.
Get the parts off the bike for a proper clean.
Bilt Hamber Surfex 1:1 is an excellent all purpose cleaner for gunky bike parts & a good thing to have anyway.
Get the back wheel off the bike & floss the sprockets with a seamed rag soaked in solvent.
Mother's aluminium polish is the absolute best I have found.
Felt on a thin bit of wood works well for alloy wheels, gets between the spokes well.