Greasy bicycle part... best way to clean it up for TIG?

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I have a part from the rear hub of a coaster brake Schwinn. Year made is 1981. One of the locating splines for the coaster brake shoes sheared off at some point during it's life, and so I want to build it back up with a weld and grind/file it back to shape.It's covered in the good ol' black lithium/graphite type bicycle grease. (Unsure on what it actually is)The part is steel, but unsure of type or temper.I'm a bit of a health nut, so I'm just curious how you guys would tackle clean up of a part like this before TIG welding.
Reply:Kerosene would be my first choice. Put the part in a coffee can and let it soak for awhile. After you get most or all of the grease off, a good soak in isopropol alcohol will de-grease and being a solvent, will evaporate. Should leave you with a pretty clean part.PapaLincoln Idealarc 250 (circa 1962)Lincoln Weldpak 155 w/Mig KitLincoln Squarewave TIG 175
Reply:Gasoline cuts grease rather well, use a tooth brush. NO SMOKING.Tim Beeker.
Reply:Simple Green Pro Series 43260 Max Automotive Cleaner Contains no ammonia or alcohol, is VOC compliant, and is non-flammable and non-abrasiveNon-toxic and readily biodegradableDeveloped especially for the automotive enthusiast, regardless of what kind of auto-care or clean-up you're doingMakes tough cleaning easy****It truly doeshttp://www.promaxcommerce.com/Pro-Se...source=froogleYour local auto store should stock it.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Probably all sorts of things will work, your doing steel so maybe not that big a deal.I would just start by wiping it down as good as I could. Then would use the Dupont 3919S Prep Sol solvent, because I always got some around, ain't going to be any hydrocarbons left. Then I might just do something like hot water and a lil Dawn, followed by acetone for the more common stuff you might have around.Most common cleaners will probably get you there.
Reply:I would wipe it down, then let soak for 10-15 minutes in either dishwashing soap and water or simple green.  Use a tooth brush or parts brush to scrub it then rinse it off with water then blow it dry with air.  I like the Prep Sol mentioned above also.
Reply:Theres lots of ways to do this and everyone has a "best" way! One small part out in the field I'd use a spray carb cleaner. This creates lots of nasty fumes and is not a green way but it works. At work I have a varsol solvent parts washer still not so green but works (mineral spirits). My best solution at work is an hot water pressure washer vat. Another solution for you is to heat part with torch untill 400 degrees, this will burn the grease/oil to an ash. Wire brush or glass bead blast and weld. Some parts are made from powdered metal and are very porous, baking the oil out is only way to clean enough to weld.PeterEquipment:2  old paws2  eyes (that don't look so good)1  bad back
Reply:I repair cars and one of the failures I see and get something out of is E85. So I almost always have a 6 gallon gas can full of the crap, I use it for cleaning everything and starting fires. Pretty much all its good for.
Reply:Soak in mineral spirits, you can use rubber gloves and a toothbrush (G/F's toothbrush; it's gonna taste like $**** after this) and then a spray down with carb cleaner to dry and wick off residue. Let it dry a bit, then weld. Or, acetone..... it really works.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:acetone is the way i would go. what i clean with for tig.Local 714 Columbus Ms.
Reply:Originally Posted by mosley938acetone is the way i would go. what i clean with for tig.