Cleaning a chain

[Ghost1]

Recently while pondering the difference between chain degreaser, chain cleaner and and and ..... The bike shop guy said to me don't bother just use paraffin, so that's what I've been doing and it works a charm, but I don't take the chain off simply because that seems something I'll take off and can't put back.

 

On an aside, what's the responsible way of disposing dirty paraffin?

I save the old paraffin in a glass jar with dried tea bags....... I never run out of firelighters

[Uni]

I save the old paraffin in a glass jar with dried tea bags....... I never run out of firelighters

Now that's a life hack worth remembering. Flipping clever. Tx.

[Long Wheel Base]

I have an ultra sonic cleaner. Remove the chain and put a degreser in the cleaner and let it run for a bit. Usually 10 min for a road chain and up to 30 for mtb. Before I got the cleaner I put the chain in a plastic container with a lid that seals, degreaser and shake it around. Same concept as a ultrasonic cleaner just a bit more vigorous.

Rinse with water and let it dry.

[Weimaraner1]

My preference is to use a solvent based cleaner that can be rinsed with water and I found solvent based engine cleaner to be a good solution (any spares shop). I wash twice and then rinse then leave the chain to dry well or air dry with compressor. Lube with your choice of lube one drop on each link on the inside of the chain, operate chain, leave for a while and wipe the excess. A quick link chain connector on a mtb makes life easy.

[Mojoman]

Recently while pondering the difference between chain degreaser, chain cleaner and and and ..... The bike shop guy said to me don't bother just use paraffin, so that's what I've been doing and it works a charm, but I don't take the chain off simply because that seems something I'll take off and can't put back.

 

On an aside, what's the responsible way of disposing dirty paraffin?

The 8 and 9 speed quick links are pretty easy to open with your hand, its just the 10 speed thats a pain. And remember to thread it through your derailer correctly. 

[Dazshell]

Get one of these or similar.  Then use any bike cleaner like Prepsol or Powasol.  Try get  something that is eco-friendly and you can just wash t down the drain.

[Weimaraner1]

The 8 and 9 speed quick links are pretty easy to open with your hand, its just the 10 speed thats a pain. And remember to thread it through your derailer correctly. 

Get Park Tool chain pliers, makes the job easy! 

[Weimaraner1]

It is important to dispose properly of fluids that are not environmentally friendly or not biodegradable. I keep a container "Addis Sumpy" and decant the used fluids/cleaner in the container. Every now and again I take it to the motor dealership around the corner and pour it into their waste oil container, they do not mind.

Never ever pour it down the drain.

 

and while we are on this topic: I want to encourage everyone to seperate waste and recycle where you can. It is good for the environment, gives someone else a living wage maybe and makes you feel proud about doing your bit. We separate glass, tin, paper, plastic, CFL globes, batteries. Fire ash goes into the compost heap as goes all other garden refuse.

[BDF]

I save the old paraffin in a glass jar with dried tea bags....... I never run out of firelighters

I pour it on my firewood. The dry wood soaks it up.

[SwissVan]

Hemel its a chain, it gets coated with lube and dirty very quickly.

Cleaning is simple and can done just before washing the rest of the bicycle:

• Spray with suitable bike chain degreaser (i like the pink chain cleaner spray).
• Leave for a few minutes then scrub with dish washer type soft brush
• Spray with water, wipe down 
• Go for a short ride (preferably on dry tar road)
• Wipe again (optional)
• Wait until dry, few hrs till all moisture is gone then lubricate.

Or the not going to wash the whole bike time strapped cyclists version:

 

Best done as you get back from a ride (every ride if you fussy and dirty)

• Wipe down chain, chain rings, cassette and jockey wheels with a dry paper towel, cleanish rag or old newspaper...remove as much gunk as possible - don't get carried away tho.
• Relube the chain, 1-2 drops per roller (+/- 120 depending on your chain length)
• Turn cranks slowly for 30 seconds while changing gears and front change rings.
• Leave to dry for 2-3 minutes (while you give the bike a quick post ride check over, hang your helmet up and shake out your shoes).
• Wipe of all excess lube and gunk with clean rag, paper...etc...

Hey presto, clean and lubed

 

I jist vant to hear one click...JA!!

[Albatross]

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/141442-chains-101/?p=2370859

[Hamstring]

Recently while pondering the difference between chain degreaser, chain cleaner and and and ..... The bike shop guy said to me don't bother just use paraffin, so that's what I've been doing and it works a charm, but I don't take the chain off simply because that seems something I'll take off and can't put back.

 

On an aside, what's the responsible way of disposing dirty paraffin?

use old tea bags and use the paraffin and tea bags as fire lighters.

[Noshow]

Soaking chains in solvent degreaser does get them really clean.  I presume you guys all just remove the quick link and reuse it?

 

I have heard the 10-speed SRAM quick links are not supposed to be re-used.  Even the KMC re-useable links are only supposed to be used 3-4 times apparently.  It makes it pretty expensive if you clean your chain like this every week.

 

I've been doing this for a while using the same link (KMC), and although it hasn't failed, i did notice the chain measures as quite stretched if I include the quick link in the measurement, but is well within tolerance if you don't include the link.  This has got me worried that it is worn out and damaging my drive train, or maybe likely to fail?

 

I would appreciate some expert advice on this.

[s14phoenix]

diesel or paraffin in a bottle with a big cap (easier to get the chain out again)

 

Shake and shake and leave to stand and shake and brush and soak and shake some more - then dry and re-lube and refit Diesel is nice since the oil content cleans and lubes somewhat on the inside. Paraffin dries better for a dry lube chain.

 

so diesel for wet lube and paraffin for dry lube. You can use benzene also which cleans great but does not have a oily base so tends to be too dry. I also flex every link under the fluid to make sure they all smooth and no grit in the links. Rinse in multiple containers with clean or filtered fluid in each

 

I have 3 bottles (old Jacobs bottles) each with clean fluid in a clean bottle when I get to No 3 the chain is clean and the fluid is also. That then becomes bottle 1 for the next chain.

 

oh and a new KMC quick link every 2 months. I have yet to see one fail that has not been worn out.

[SwissVan]

Soaking chains in solvent degreaser does get them really clean.  I presume you guys all just remove the quick link and reuse it?

 

I have heard the 10-speed SRAM quick links are not supposed to be re-used.  Even the KMC re-useable links are only supposed to be used 3-4 times apparently.  It makes it pretty expensive if you clean your chain like this every week.

 

I've been doing this for a while using the same link (KMC), and although it hasn't failed, i did notice the chain measures as quite stretched if I include the quick link in the measurement, but is well within tolerance if you don't include the link.  This has got me worried that it is worn out and damaging my drive train, or maybe likely to fail?

 

I would appreciate some expert advice on this.

 

I appreciate some folks like their chains cleaned 100%, but imo takings chains on / off on a regular basis is juts looking for *** (link failure while out riding). Ja quick links have made it less likely and easier but the odds are that if you mess with something that's not broken...it will break...mechanics law

 

How long does a chain stay clean once you start riding.....? You clean, lube and start riding and before you get back its dirty again.... that's the nature of the beast.

 

Its not necessary to remove a chain to clean or lube it properly.

[Mojoman]

I appreciate some folks like their chains cleaned 100%, but imo takings chains on / off on a regular basis is juts looking for *** (link failure while out riding). Ja quick links have made it less likely and easier but the odds are that if you mess with something that's not broken...it will break...mechanics law

 

How long does a chain stay clean once you start riding.....? You clean, lube and start riding and before you get back its dirty again.... that's the nature of the beast.

 

Its not necessary to remove a chain to clean or lube it properly.

Mickle Method....

http://www.cyclorama.net/viewArticle.php?id=349&subjectId=9