chain cleaning

[Warren]

right, just been out to clean off the wax thats been on my chain (cos i hate the stuff so much now - im gonna switch to using engine oil)

every time ive done this in the past - ive used WD40 (about half a can)

this time i used parafin. (as it suggests in my manual)

i couldnt believe how easy it was, the wax just turns to a liquid on contact with it and comes straight off, then i went on to cleaning it off my wheels,

whole job took me 5 mins tops (compared to about 20 mins using wd40 and a brush) rust came straight off too.

and for the price of the parafin (i paid about 1 pound for a litre) its well worth using over WD40.


only trouble is - is it can harm your 0-rings if left on for too long, so make sure you rinse off with lots of water.


one happy bunny :)

[hall13uk]

good advice i find half a can of chain cleaner works really well, got it from hein gericke cost a lot more than parafin thou about £5.99 for 500ml.
each to there own i guess

[Spiderman]

right, just been out to clean off the wax thats been on my chain (cos i hate the stuff so much now - im gonna switch to using engine oil)

every time ive done this in the past - ive used WD40 (about half a can)

this time i used parafin. (as it suggests in my manual)

i couldnt believe how easy it was, the wax just turns to a liquid on contact with it and comes straight off, then i went on to cleaning it off my wheels,

whole job took me 5 mins tops (compared to about 20 mins using wd40 and a brush) rust came straight off too.

and for the price of the parafin (i paid about 1 pound for a litre) its well worth using over WD40.


only trouble is - is it can harm your 0-rings if left on for too long, so make sure you rinse off with lots of water.


one happy bunny :)

hah the joys of spring eh?

Thats exactly what ive been up to today but i didnt know it was bad for the old o/x rings :shock: I didnt even rinse mine after i cleaned it. Just went for a blast round the block and re-applied my wax.

Hope it'll be ok now.

What dd you do with the left over dirty parrafin mate?

I have a cup full of the stuff with a very dirty toothbrush in it waiting for answers..

And yes i said toothbrush...i like to meticulous sometimess ok? :oops:

[Warren]

i didnt have any left over parafin, i only used a tiny bit - sorta just poured a bit into my rag, and used that, when it went dry, just used a bit more.


but if i was left with loads of old parafin, id probably put it in the shed along with my old engine oil and old brake fluid that are waiting for answers.



on second thoughts . . . id probably burn the left over parafin :)
dont think u would be too bad . . . it evaproates anyway doesnt it ?

[Spiderman]

Yeh i was looking for an environmentaly frindly way tbh and burning it with all that crud in may just devasate the ozone some more.

As for your old engine oil etc, your local waste dump or Civic Ammenities Recycling Centre as they call em now should happily take it off your hands.

i only know cos i lived near one for a time and i do a lot of recycling :thumbsup:

Next time i'll do what you did i think :D

[Viney]

i didnt have any left over parafin, i only used a tiny bit - sorta just poured a bit into my rag, and used that, when it went dry, just used a bit more.


but if i was left with loads of old parafin, id probably put it in the shed along with my old engine oil and old brake fluid that are waiting for answers.



on second thoughts . . . id probably burn the left over parafin :)
dont think u would be too bad . . . it evaproates anyway doesnt it ?
Just use it to clean the bike. As you have found, its an excellent degreaser :D Or make some molotov cocktails and lob them at chavs :D

[Banus]

Hi,
Yeah I've been "at it" recently and went down the parafin route after considering loads of different options.
I thought the purpose of using parafin was because it is petroleum based and WOULD NOT damage the 'O' rings. Mine came up like new. Anyway I wont be using any expensive off the shelf cleaner simply cos there's no point. Job took a little longer than 20 mins though.. :)

[The Mass]

Hi all,

I think I posted summat about cleaning yesterday...ahh no it was the crash bungs...
Anyway both areas are discussed in length in this weeks RIDE mag.

Sorry! boring I know...but this weeks "How to clean yer bike" is really good - piccy's n all!
How to clean the chain - get the crud off, lube it again..good read.

If I had a scanner attached - i'd scan it in and link it!

My question is this though - if anyone of you lot can help?

After I've cleaned the crud off the chain with parefin - do i lube the chain or go for a spin and let the scottoiler do it's job?

cheers - Mass

[chazzyb]

Old, dirty paraffin: leave it in a container and all the sh*t will drop to the bottom. Pour the clean stuff off and use it again! Or drink it. :wink:

[Scoobs]

Or drink it. :wink:

You're confusing parafin with meths!

[The Mass]

Or drink it. :wink:

You're confusing parafin with meths!



I'd also suggest holding your nose whilst drinking :shock:

And not to have a fag shortly after - or in fact in the other hand :shock:

It could get interesting.... :idea:


:lol:

[Spiderman]

Hi all,

I think I posted summat about cleaning yesterday...ahh no it was the crash bungs...
Anyway both areas are discussed in length in this weeks RIDE mag.

Sorry! boring I know...but this weeks "How to clean yer bike" is really good - piccy's n all!
How to clean the chain - get the crud off, lube it again..good read.

If I had a scanner attached - i'd scan it in and link it!

My question is this though - if anyone of you lot can help?

After I've cleaned the crud off the chain with parefin - do i lube the chain or go for a spin and let the scottoiler do it's job?

cheers - Mass

Your scottoiler is your lube isnt it? so why would you lube it before goung for a ride???? Im confused Mass

Unless you mean that its a "Dry" chain after cleaning and that the oiler might not drip enought to protect and coat it right away?

If so i'd imagin you could turn the drip rate up or something for the first few mins to get it all well coated. Then back to normal as it were?

I unded up getting really annoyed with the jar of parrafin last night and just poured it over some weeds in my back garden.

Job done :thumbsup:
But i'll know better for next time at least.

[Sledgehammer]

Wow it must be coming to the warm part of the year chain cleaning time...
okay also did my chain yesterday and noticed a stuck link kind of not 100% straight tried everything i could to straighten it loads of WD40 and the likes.. might just need to try a few times over the next few days..

but the question is will it cause any damage.. ??..

[jonboy]

but the question is will it cause any damage.. ??..

It won't cause any damage but is probably a sign that your chain's on the way out. Check for tight spots and if you find you're having to adjust the chain very often (like once a week) then it's knackered.


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