q-tip cleaning obsessive?

[Brandy]

I clean my bikes when George comments on how dirty they are. No really, I've gotten better lately!

[Starfish]

I use baby wipes for quick wipe downs, and since they don't disintegrate like Qtips can, I use baby wipe in little strips to thread through tight places and floss clean, sort of.

I do use a citrus degreaser...I apply it with a small paint brush to get it just where I want it, and not where I don't.

I also use mild bike wash in a spray bottle, and use a spray bottle of plain water for rinsing, when I'm not outside.

I have a variety of brushes, from large to small, and use different ones for the rims than I do for the drivetrain.

I find that a really nubby towel is great for the cassette.

I also keep alcohol and face pads handy for the rims.

I will use a hose outside when it is warm enough, but only with a nozzle that can produce a very broad, fine mist that has virtually NO pressure to it.

In the better weather when I'm riding all the time, I do a quick wipe down every time I ride (less than 5 minutes...basic frame, chain, rims, brake pads). Then, I do a regular wash every couple weeks. Then, every month or so I do a nit-picky clean. I realized I was doing OK with the cleaning when I apologized to my LBS for bringing the bike in dirty and they gave me really weird looks.

I have yet to take too much apart by myself, because I'm nervous about getting it back together. I need to get throught this barrier.

I enjoy detailing my bike the way I used to detail my horses. My brothers cannot understand why this does not carry over into detailing my car?

[short cut sally]

I also use q-tips to clean my chain. i use carb cleaner--i know, shudders abound here---to get the initial grime loosened. then i use the hand held chain cleaner thingamabob that one puts degreaser inside and spins the chain thru the plastic bristles inside. then out comes the q-tips to get between the links, yes more carb cleaner is used. then a rag damped by more chemicals is used to clean my cassettes, along with more q-tips if needed. of course i do reapply lubricant to the chain after it is thorougly cleaned. i usually wash and wax my bike at the same time my chain is getting cleaned. touch-ups were done last year at a local paint shop..free of charge- they were more interested in asking questions about biking and how much I had invested in this obsession.