Paraffin - Bloomin' great stuff!

[Biker_Billy]

Now some of you who have had bikes for years are probably thinking "uh..yeah we knew that...", but I didn't!

As my recently installed Tsubaki chain was pretty minging, I thought I'd spend some time sprucing it up - had tried bespoke (expensive) chain cleaners in the past and been pretty disappointed...did a search on the good 'ol forum and a few folks reckoned Paraffin was the future....

So I went down to me local hardware store and picked up 4 litres for 3 quid, and well I never....its bloomin' marvellous! Its come up, well....like new..! I'm chuffed like a proverbial pig in the brown stuff, and dead easy to do...took all of 5 mins!

Just thinking of all the other things I can clean it with now!

So...thanks, useful and informative this forum lark.

Ta,

Billy.

[Lissa]

:D

Cleaned the rear sprocket with it today, and will use it on the wheels if the WD40 isn't handy.

Just checking...................you did wash the chain off thoroughly afterwards, didn't you?

[embee]

Just be aware that paraffin does degrease things very effectively, so it is absolutely essential that you treat surfaces afterwards to prevent corrosion (especially chains).

[Biker_Billy]

:D

Cleaned the rear sprocket with it today, and will use it on the wheels if the WD40 isn't handy.

Just checking...................you did wash the chain off thoroughly afterwards, didn't you?

Oh Lissa, you always have to catch me out don't you...well, I waited for it to evaporate and cleaned off the residue with a dry cloth. I then lubed the chain really well....I mean REALLY well...

will that not suffice?

[Lissa]

We've always washed it off so it doesn't do any damage to the O rings, then dried it, then lubed it. Overkill maybe, but I certainly wouldn't leave it on the chain.

Hopefully, if you've drowned it with lube, that will have removed any remaining paraffin.

[Biker_Billy]

It was pi**ing it down so I was in the garage, and didn't want to get my hose out...oh err!

I used far too much lube as I want to use this can up - the lube was dripping off the chain... I don't intend riding the SV for a couple of weeks anyway, it was just to protect it from surface rust whilst standing....

Might hose it down tomorrow tho, you have got me all concerned now!

[Lissa]

It was pi**ing it down so I was in the garage, and didn't want to get my hose out...oh err!

I used far too much lube as I want to use this can up - the lube was dripping off the chain... I don't intend riding the SV for a couple of weeks anyway, it was just to protect it from surface rust whilst standing....

Might hose it down tomorrow tho, you have got me all concerned now!

Sorry:(
:smt056

[the_lone_wolf]

if you think paraffin is impressive you should try brake cleaner;)

[Biker_Billy]

if you think paraffin is impressive you should try brake cleaner;)


Oh I've got some, was going to come onto that...saved a fortune in toothpaste...shame they don't make a mint flavour tho..:)

[Biker_Billy]

Sorry:(
:smt056

Lol, its ok - thats what the forum is about - learning from more knowledgable people than myself!

I think you are right tho...for the sake of 10 mins hosing down, why take the chance - will have to wait till tomorrow tho, have a Kronenburg in hand, and sat in front of the telly now:cool:

[yorkie_chris]

I've heard the major chain manufacturers actually reccomend parrafin for cleaning their chains.
Chance of O-ring damage is low IMO, its not the most aggressive of solvents.

[Biker_Billy]

Cheers YC, I thought it should be ok too, but I'll hose it down anyhow.

On a side note, do you reckon it could be used in zippo lighters? if so, that really will save me a fortune!

[yorkie_chris]

Nah mate not volatile enough will smoke like a bugger.

I'm going to get one of those gallon cans of brake cleaner, that smells fairly flammable so I'll give it a go.

[Biker_Billy]

Nah mate not volatile enough will smoke like a bugger.

I'm going to get one of those gallon cans of brake cleaner, that smells fairly flammable so I'll give it a go.

Mind yer eyebrows mate! Oh, and stop smelling the solvents...it'll rot ya brain!

[yorkie_chris]

What?

Has anybody seen my camel?

[Biker_Billy]

What?

Has anybody seen my camel?

lol....was doing the chain in a closed garage...after 10 mins, I swore the SV was morphing into a Duke 848....just checked..still an SV tho...

[yorkie_chris]

Last year in my uni room (which wasn't the biggest), had a set of FZR250 carbs to rebuild, so the natural place was on the desk. A tin of carb cleaner, a tin of compressed air and a load of rags and stuff next, the carbs are fully rebuilt clean as whistles.

That was a silly amount of fumes, never noticed parraffin really.

[petevtwin650]

Lol, its ok - thats what the forum is about - learning from more knowledgable people than myself!

I think you are right tho...for the sake of 10 mins hosing down, why take the chance - will have to wait till tomorrow tho, have a Kronenburg in hand, and sat in front of the telly now:cool:

I wouldn't bother now with the hosing down as you've covered the chain in lube anyway and that'll protect any paraffin that may be remaining. I'm sure it'll be ok, it's just a precaution rinsing off the paraffin, plus it rinses off any remaining gritty bits that the brush may have missed. Hopefully.:)

[squirrel_hunter]

May I also recommend it dispensed from a spray bottle (you know the Mr Sheene shower type thing) as a general degreaser and first stage of a major clean.

Brake cleaner is fantastic but Carb cleaner is my favorite. Does wonders all round however it will destroy any rubber very quickly so be warned. Its also very useful to clean your tools with, I spray a bit on some tissue and give them all a wipe over as they go back in the case. However the Silkolene carb cleaner is crap, I use a no name brand and its fantastic. Also useful for cleaning your hands after; though if you grazed you knuckles you'll soon know!


Now this is a turn up for the books me offering advice on cleaning a bike...

[Biker_Billy]

May I also recommend it dispensed from a spray bottle (you know the Mr Sheene shower type thing) as a general degreaser and first stage of a major clean.

Brake cleaner is fantastic but Carb cleaner is my favorite. Does wonders all round however it will destroy any rubber very quickly so be warned. Its also very useful to clean your tools with, I spray a bit on some tissue and give them all a wipe over as they go back in the case. However the Silkolene carb cleaner is crap, I use a no name brand and its fantastic. Also useful for cleaning your hands after; though if you grazed you knuckles you'll soon know!


Now this is a turn up for the books me offering advice on cleaning a bike...

Hardcore Squirrel...i tend to just use soap...:cool:, bit sensitive down there see...

[Lozzo]

if you think paraffin is impressive you should try brake cleaner;)

Brake cleaner swells the O-rings on chains causing them to split. Not recommended.

[the_lone_wolf]

Brake cleaner swells the O-rings on chains causing them to split. Not recommended.
the can i have says "brake and chain cleaner" - made by Wurth

i thought the whole point of brake cleaner was that it specifically didn't kill your piston o-rings...:confused:

[Lozzo]

the can i have says "brake and chain cleaner" - made by Wurth

i thought the whole point of brake cleaner was that it specifically didn't kill your piston o-rings...:confused:

The material used for brake piston seals is different to the material used for chain O-rings. There are a number of different types of rubber used as seals depending on what purpose they have or what fluid or lubricant is being used. Brake cleaner may be fine on brake seals, but I know for a fact it swells chain O-rings because I experimented on an old chain. You'd be surprised at just how much they swell and how easy they break afterwards.

[the_lone_wolf]

The material used for brake piston seals is different to the material used for chain O-rings. There are a number of different types of rubber used as seals depending on what purpose they have or what fluid or lubricant is being used. Brake cleaner may be fine on brake seals, but I know for a fact it swells chain O-rings because I experimented on an old chain. You'd be surprised at just how much they swell and how easy they break afterwards.
i guess there must be different cleaning fluids, as this (http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/80/17629) is what i use...

[-Ralph-]

I wouldn't bother now with the hosing down as you've covered the chain in lube anyway and that'll protect any paraffin that may be remaining. I'm sure it'll be ok, it's just a precaution rinsing off the paraffin, plus it rinses off any remaining gritty bits that the brush may have missed. Hopefully.:)

+1, parrafin won't damage your o' rings, you could take the chain off and submerge it in parrafin to clean it if you could be bothered. Rinsing off grit is the main reason for the water.

[yorkie_chris]

the can i have says "brake and chain cleaner" - made by Wurth

i thought the whole point of brake cleaner was that it specifically didn't kill your piston o-rings...:confused:

The material used for brake piston seals is different to the material used for chain O-rings.

Ask alpinestarhero how many solvents there are :-P

They've just found one thats safe with both types (unless it isnt actually safe..), at the expense of dissolving slightly fewer materials.

[phil24_7]

I wonder..... If I mixed all these solvents, would they get me high quicker!!

[yorkie_chris]

Carb cleaner is pretty much all the make-you-go-blind-and-mad solvents mixed together :-P

[John Burt]

Parafin is perfectly safe to use to clean chains and does not require washing off on completion, I'd be a little wary of using brake/carb cleaner permanently though.