I don't think ether is an "over the counter" thing in the UK.
Would industrial spirit (also known as surgical spirit) do instead?
Isn't ether just the informal name for the stuff the nurse paints your
arm with before inserting the needle, i.e. surgical spirit? Over here in
Holland we use 'denatured alcohol' (which I presume is the same, or
similar) as a general grease remover. Also good for removing grease by
absorbing it is Fuller's Earth, though I've no idea whether it works on
wheels and whether you can still buy it.
-Keith
