Cleaning a rear derallieur

[Cheesy]

Do any of you have any simple tips for cleaning the rear derallieur?

I've had a look at the Park Tools website
http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/howfix_deroh.shtml

however I'm hoping for something more basic, that will not neccesitate dismantling the derallieur. I'm sure the results won't be as good as if I took it apart, but you get what you work for.

[vlad]

For some years now I clean my bike at the car wash, taking care not to force water into bearings.

[dhk]

Do any of you have any simple tips for cleaning the rear derallieur?

I've had a look at the Park Tools website
http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/howfix_deroh.shtml

however I'm hoping for something more basic, that will not neccesitate dismantling the derallieur. I'm sure the results won't be as good as if I took it apart, but you get what you work for.
I never take anything apart on my bike to clean it; believe that's just asking for problems. My RD doesn't seem to get very dirty, so just the soapy sponge to the body and the cage when washing the bike does the trick.

If you've gotten some really bad grease or oil buildup on it that detergent won't remove, suppose you could wipe it down with a rag soaked in solvent or citrus degreaser and then rinse well with plain water (no pressure nozzles).

[Walrus]

Do any of you have any simple tips for cleaning the rear derallieur?

I've had a look at the Park Tools website
http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/howfix_deroh.shtml

however I'm hoping for something more basic, that will not neccesitate dismantling the derallieur. I'm sure the results won't be as good as if I took it apart, but you get what you work for.
Try using an old rag, with soapy water. Take the rage and thread it in between the cogs, then rub it back and forth. Move the cassette around to clean all parts of the cog, then move to the next one.

[mattv2099]

I spray Zep Orange degreaser on parts such as Derlrs. I let the degreaser soak a few minutes then rinse it off. Repeat several times and the part is as clean as new.

[boudreaux]

I spray Zep Orange degreaser on parts such as Derlrs. I let the degreaser soak a few minutes then rinse it off. Repeat several times and the part is as clean as new.Ya relube the pivots and such to replace the lube ya washed away?

[mattv2099]

Ya relube the pivots and such to replace the lube ya washed away?
Yes. But he didn't ask about that.

[el Inglés]

Do any of you have any simple tips for cleaning the rear derallieur?

I've had a look at the Park Tools website
http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/howfix_deroh.shtml

however I'm hoping for something more basic, that will not neccesitate dismantling the derallieur. I'm sure the results won't be as good as if I took it apart, but you get what you work for.

kerosene/diesal , a brush and a cloth and the backyard - AND DON´T SMOKE -
leave it all to dry THEN re-lub . same as a chain really .

[dhk]

Good point. Personally, I'll pass on the spray degreasers and high-pressure wash in favor of keeping the original lube in place and dry. Long life is better than looking "clean as new" anyway.