I just tried some S100 bike wash at $12 a small bottle. It worked well, but then again, I could pay some kid $12 to wash it for me. I've had decent luck with automotive wheel cleaner, but you have to rinse it promptly or it with "stain" parts. Have you guys run accross any cost effective cleaners?
A gallon of ProClean1000 "Bike Clean" makes 3-4 gallons of cleaner. Must be diluted @ 3:1 or so with water. Rinse off bike, spray on, wait a couple minutes, rinse thoroughly. Very good stuff. I love it.
I always wash my bike with the power washer and then hand clean with Goof Off. It works really well at removing the residual dirt and stains. I will probably give the ProClean a try soon though.
I use auto wheel cleaner for the engine, and simple green for everything else. I have left wheel cleaner on the engine for quite a while and have noticed no staining where it drips on other parts of the bike.Occasionally for white number plates I use comet cleanser to get dirt stains out.
Ehh, it isn't a a chemical, but I have found that a toilet brush is indispensable for cleaning bikes. Nothing else will fit into tight spots like they will. You can push 'em into the spokes and clean hubs, between the swingarm and tire/linkages, the list goes on.........
Simple Green left on for 3 minutes, then hand-washed with water and zip-wax. Makes future dirt much easier to get off, especially grease/ spooge. Those wire looped brushes meant for car wheels and tires (I use a Simoniz) can be bent straight to look like a giant pipe cleaner. They'll reach into all kinds of spots you cant even get a toothbrush on.