Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the January Giveaway for a Chance to Win the Movcan V80 E-bike Worth $889


Rags!!
#1
Hey guys,

What kind of rags do you use?

I tend to use dish cloths because that's generally all I can find. Go to any automotive shop or bike shop and they don't seem to stock mechanic specific rags.

The problem I find with dish cloths is that small hairs seem to come off of them when for instance, wiping bolt threads clean ready for re-greasing, so sometimes small hairs can get caught up in the new grease. Gets quite annoying!

Si

PS: Same goes for brushes as well!
  Reply
#2
Old bed linen, clothing, towels.
Preferably cotton as this soaks up the oils better.
An old bedsheet torn into squares is ideal for me.
If just dusty then can be re-washed but if oil contaminated then in the bin to landfill. Probably not the best for environmental issues thoughSad
Dishcloths may be O.K. for polishing or just wiping a wet frame down.
Ride hard or ride home alone!
  Reply
#3
(06-29-2011, 07:46 AM)cyclerUK Wrote:  Old bed linen, clothing, towels.
Preferably cotton as this soaks up the oils better.
An old bedsheet torn into squares is ideal for me.
If just dusty then can be re-washed but if oil contaminated then in the bin to landfill. Probably not the best for environmental issues thoughSad
Dishcloths may be O.K. for polishing or just wiping a wet frame down.

Cool,

I'll have a good rummage round for some old material then, cheers buddy. I'm with you on the environment issue, hate the thought of adding to landfill! I shall keep that in mind don't you worry.

Si
  Reply
#4
I use old Campagnolo t-shirts. And Ford t-shirts.

Big Grin Can I say that??
Wheelies don't pop themselves. (from a QBP fortune cookie)
  Reply
#5
(06-29-2011, 08:34 PM)RobAR Wrote:  I use old Campagnolo t-shirts. And Ford t-shirts.

Big Grin Can I say that??

Yes mate, of course you can! ; )

Thanks for the tip!
  Reply
#6
Never having been to the UK (yet), I don't know if they have group membership stores like our Sam's Club and Costco. They normally have mechanics rags in large bundles for a very decent price. I get mine at Sam's Club and they last for quite some time as I usually wash most of mine and reuse them.
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe...Ride Hard...Ride Daily
  Reply
#7
I use old socks, t shirts, etc. 99 cent stores have those coarse cotton red rags, as does costco.

I've used the blue paper mechanics towels that come in a roll, and you can buy them from walmart, costco, and other places

The key is to keep using clean rags to wipe things down so you don't push old dirt in the rag back into whatever you just cleaned. I'm really bad about reusing rags cuz I'm cheap Big Grin
  Reply
#8
Cheers fellas

I'll keep all these ideas in mind.

I have been guilty of using the same dish cloths for various cleaning jobs so hopefully not too much crap has gone back into the parts!!

Have a lovely weekend all of you, happy riding!

PS: Got myself a flat rear tyre yesterday so I'll have fun sorting that out!

Si
  Reply


Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Evglobal 24 volt bike
Today 01:08 AM
My 1981 COLNAGO "Super" possible early "...
Yesterday 01:19 PM
The big difference in cyclist
Yesterday 12:32 PM
Where do you put your phone when riding?
Yesterday 09:14 AM
How did your cycling start?
01-28-2025 06:58 PM
Wishing you an Awesome 2025 & many fun r...
01-28-2025 06:49 PM
Beginner Mountain Biking Tips
01-28-2025 06:44 PM
Condor Acciaio, a premium steel road bik...
01-27-2025 01:49 PM
The roaming Radrunner Vlog 24
01-27-2025 11:10 AM
New Image
01-26-2025 08:25 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Flowrider
13 posts
no avatar 2. meamoantonio
13 posts
no avatar 3. SPINMAN
13 posts
no avatar 4. enkei
11 posts
no avatar 5. ReapThaWhirlwind
11 posts