Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Cleaing OIL/GUNK/ETC 996 swingarm

I have stripped the bike and Iam trying to clean the swingarm (which has clearly never been by the previous scumbag owner!). It has a layer of oil, dirt etc that I cannot shift, all I seem to be doing is spreading it around. I have tried several products and methods but it still feels sticky and looks dirty (er..)

I need a product, method that will shift the gunk? Any ideas?

I considered the dishwasher?
(thats a joke)

[final_edition]

Try a solvent based product. Paint thinners,white spirit etc.

[chicken]

"Gunk" is actually quite good for that!

It's a degreaser. Decant into one of those plant sprayers you can buy from garden centres, spray liberally, leave for a bit, agitate with an old paintbrush then hose off with water.

[Ray]

Or Jizer, similar to gunk except it's pinky red in colour

Ray

[BDG]

If its really bad and old caked on gunge i'd soak it in parafin, agitate with a brush, then rub with a rag soaked in parafin to get the worst off.

Then spray with the wifes kitchen floor cleaner like liquid flash, or use some proprietary cleaner like MUC OFF, spray it on again, and agitate with a brush, and wash off with very hot water and car shampoo stuff using a nylon pan scrubber, and scrub like hell. Should work a treat.

You could use washing up liquid but this contains salt which of course is not good for alloy, if you do then make sure you rinse it very very well.

[YMFB]

heine gericke chain cleaner shifts anything including accumilated chain gunge, expensive but easier work than any of the above mentioned products/substances.

[ducasa]

Maybe he was out riding the thing not polishing. Ducati riders seem to be made up of polishers and riders, riders don't deride the polishers so don't slate the previous owner, it was his bike before yours and sounds like he rode the thing instead of stripping and cleaning, remember what Ducati's are for. Says me who has his in pieces (repairing not cleaning though). I wash mine when I can't see the headlights because of flies.

Originally Posted by ducasa

Maybe he was out riding the thing not polishing. Ducati riders seem to be made up of polishers and riders, riders don't deride the polishers so don't slate the previous owner, it was his bike before yours and sounds like he rode the thing instead of stripping and cleaning, remember what Ducati's are for. Says me who has his in pieces (repairing not cleaning though). I wash mine when I can't see the headlights because of flies.

The guy had bought the bike from new, put 8000 Miles on it and not once cleaned it. Dread to think what his knob smells like. Poor girl. Scumbag.

[ducati dad]

Originally Posted by RCA

The guy had bought the bike from new, put 8000 Miles on it and not once cleaned it. Dread to think what his knob smells like. Poor girl. Scumbag.

Then why did you buy a bike in such a dirty condition if it offends your sensibilities ?

[Road Runner]

Muck Off is the best and wont damage the paint or chain.