diesel to clean mtb chains?

[KeithB]

I read in a mtb maintenance book to periodically remove the chain and clean it in diesel.   Anyone tried this?   Is it better/worse/same as paraffin?   Or should one ignore all this stuff and sommer use clean green or equivalent? 

[dirtrider]

I sommer use Cleangrean of Sunlight

[HendrikS]

i dont clean my chain

 

 

[shadowchaser-d]

I use a mixture of diesel and paraffin.  Was once told to do this and have had no problems thus far.  Not sure if it is good or bad?

[Eugene]

I read a book by a guy that was Greg Lemond's mechanic (I forget the name) and he also recommended diesel. He rekons that diesel has an oily residue which remains behind after the diesel has evaporated. He never used any other form of lubricant. I won't trust that though, I'll still use a proper lube.

[Buff]

Diesel is all I use on my chains... let it soak to get best results!!!

[IanJ]

But then do you clean it after soaking in a detergent and lube with proper lube?

[GoLefty!!]

Diesel is perfect for cleaning chains and yes it does leave an oily residue behind that provides lubrication but not much anti wear.

 

Modern diesel sold in SA have a relatively high dose of detergent in them to help the fuel injector nozzles remain free of carbon deposits for longer and this works on the metal in chains too.

 

Mixtures of Diesel and paraffin don't really offer any benefit except to make the diesel less "oily"

 

I used diesel for years when my neighbour had an old diesel generator in his yard. The genny was our "Disposal unit"

 

Only issues with cleaning your chain with Diesel or paraffin is how do you dispose of it. Pouring the stuff down the drain in unethical and not good for the environment since it does not mix with water.

[Hog_]

While diesel is oily, and thin enough to get into the chain, I would rather use a product that has been specifically developed for the application. Try a brand called 'Rock & Roll' - I got it from Dunkeld Cycles. It's is amazing how well it works - it's thin so it gets into the links, and the amount of dirt that came off the chain after I applied it was incredible (and also concerning, considering I was using White Lightning which is supposed to clean the chain).

 

Now, if anyone can recommend a good tile cleaner I can use to clean the floor under the IDT please....

 

 

 

[Guest Big H]

I wash the chain in Kerosene (paraffin). I use the paraffin to start braai fires. I wash the chain afterwards in hot water with Sunlight liquid and hang to dry. I then lube with Squirt. It works believe me. This is for serious chain cleaning.

 

For the normal maintenance I use a clamshell cleaner washer also with Sunlight Liquid.

[The Guy in Pink]

Paraffin is an abrasive. Diesel a lubricant.  Rather use diesel for cleaning the chain , but stick to the paraffin to light the braai unless you want wors tasting like the underside of a 20 tonne truck.

[Johan Bornman]

Paraffin is an abrasive. Diesel a lubricant.  QUOTE]

 

Really? Aren't you getting confused with the paraffin wax used to give grip to the upper side of surfboards. That stuff gets quite abrasive after melting in the sun with some sand? A popular brand is the very hippy Sex Wax.

 

 

Paraffin is also used to good effect as the lubricant for trumpet valves, a close-tolerance valve that wont work unless it is ultra lubricious. It won't even tolerate thin sewing machine oil, so close are the tolerances.

 

JB

 

[The Guy in Pink]

Johan,

You are confusing the properties of your liquids.

Viscosity is not necessarily related  to lubrication .

In your trumpet paraffin works because it is thinner than your singer oil, not because it is a better lubricant

[Speed Devil]

I have been using a mixture of parafin and diesel for years without hassles.

 

I first clean the chain in it and then put it in a fresh solution and leave for a while for the diesel to get insde the links and pins and then when the chain is on I coat it with Squirt.

 

Unfortunately the squirt is too thick to penetrate deep in between the links and pins.

[Guest Big H]

Johan' date='

You are confusing the properties of your liquids.

Viscosity is not necessarily related  to lubrication .

In your trumpet paraffin works because it is thinner than your singer oil, not because it is a better lubricant[/quote']

 

Teee heee................ run and hide (oh you need not since you are in Nickerie!!!!) because the Yellow Saddle Veteran is NEVER wrong. He will most likely send you a nasty email!!!!!!

[Johan Bornman]

The Guy in Pink wrote: Paraffin is an abrasive. Diesel a lubricant. 

 

Johan Bornman replied: Really? Aren't you getting confused with the paraffin wax used to give grip to the upper side of surfboards. That stuff gets quite abrasive after melting in the sun with some sand? A popular brand is the very hippy Sex Wax.

 

Paraffin is also used to good effect as the lubricant for trumpet valves, a close-tolerance valve that wont work unless it is ultra lubricious. It won't even tolerate thin sewing machine oil, so close are the tolerances.

 

The Guy in Pink said:

 

Johan, You are confusing the properties of your liquids.

Viscosity is not necessarily related  to lubrication .

In your trumpet paraffin works because it is thinner than your singer oil, not because it is a better lubricant

 

Johan replies: I don't think I implied that the two are related. But I can see there's room for confusion.

 

However, the issue at hand is that you claim paraffin is abrasive. I think I already pointed out that it is used in situations where brass valves have to slide inside brass cycliners with extremely close tolerances, something that an abrasive won't do.

 

Please explain what grit is found in paraffin.

 

JB