Bike Maintenance & Restore Hack: Easy Chain & Gear Cleaning with WD-40

The project depicted here is the routine maintenance of a bicycle's drivetrain, specifically focusing on the rear cassette and chain. The "BEFORE" image shows a visibly dirty and possibly rusty cassette, indicating a need for cleaning to ensure smooth gear shifting and prevent wear. The "AFTER" image illustrates the application of WD-40, a multi-use product, being sprayed onto the cassette, presumably to clean, displace moisture, and lubricate the components. This process is crucial for prolonging the life of the bicycle's mechanical parts and enhancing riding performance

Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary items. You'll need a bike stand (optional but recommended), a brush (an old toothbrush works great), a rag or old towel, a degreaser specifically designed for bikes (or WD-40 as shown in the original image, though a dedicated degreaser is often more effective for heavy grime), and bike chain lubricant.

Position your bike so the rear wheel is accessible, ideally in a bike stand. Apply your chosen degreaser liberally to the cassette. As seen in the original image, you can use WD-40, spraying it directly onto the cogs. Allow it to soak for a few minutes to break down the grime and old lubricant. Place a rag beneath the cassette to catch any drips and protect your floor.

Now that the degreaser has had time to work, use your brush to scrub between each cog of the cassette. Pay close attention to the spaces where dirt and grit tend to accumulate. Rotate the wheel backwards as you scrub to ensure you clean all surfaces thoroughly.

Once you've thoroughly scrubbed the cassette, use a clean rag to wipe away all the loosened grime and degreaser. Hold the rag firmly against the cassette and rotate the wheel backward to clean each cog and the spaces in between. Continue wiping until the cassette is visibly clean and free of residue.