Quote from Molten Speed Wax blurb:
Wax is the cleanest lube available. Go ahead, we dare you to drop your chain on your white 70’s shag carpet. Why is wax so clean? It’s not a liquid, greasy or oily so it doesn’t attract dirt, sand or other debris from the road or trail.
So maybe not...
diesel... will burn without a spark in an engine if you vaporize it
And compress the mixture from between 15 and 23 times atmospheric pressure, much higher than a typical petrol engine.
Fellas,whats the concensus about re-using quick links after splitting chains for a wax bath? My recently fitted Shimano 12s link was mega tight and i'm a bit concerned about re-using it and it loosening up.Replacements are around a tenner,not a huge amount but i've just abused the plastic buying XT transmission.
I only have 9 and 10 spd - reusing links multiple times seems fine.
Putoline ordered. Just need to get a cheap DFF now.
I've always re-used links. Seems fine.
I might be tempted by Molten Speedwax if it's clear - Putoline being black does blacken the cassette a bit during the course of an application. I honestly do not mind the smell at all. Just smells oily to me, like an old machine shed.
EDIT Just read their blurb though, it appears to be paraffin wax with additives. That feels like it matches whoever it was said it was not as durable as Putoline, which is waxy but also somehow sticky as hell. It almost glues itself to the chain somehow.
That molten speed wax stuff has PTFE in it. I'm doing enough bad things to the environment without dumping that stuff into it as well.
I've used Putoline, it's pretty black and sticky, but my SS went into the shed sometime last year with that and a thick layer of mud, and came out with the chain still fine.
Blacken the cassette? Are you dipping the cassette in it too??
Putoline being black does blacken the cassette a bit during the course of an application.
The high priest of Leith will excommunicate you for such blasphemy against the holy wax.
A small amount of the lube works it's way out of the chain to the outside and it rubs onto the cassette..nowhere near as messy as if I'd used normal lube though. The black gunge nightmare doesn't happen.
No beer - you can see the small amount of wax that is transferred to the cassette in the pic I put up a page or two ago
which is waxy but also somehow sticky as hell. It almost glues itself to the chain somehow.
Add about 20-30% beeswax to your paraffin wax for the same effect.
Add some molybdenum disulphide powder to make it black, and 2-3% EP gear oil to make it smell.
That’s what I use on my commuter, anyway.
MTBs get Muc-Off Ceramic dry lube. Hose off after a ride and re-apply (a drop per link) - even works on a wet chain.
Have got 3/4 bottle of Squirt if anyone wants it - I thought it was pish.
So is a paraffin wax an option then? I am thinking for the inside turbo bike as it will be a lot less messy than putoline?
Yes I use mostly paraffin wax although I've added more gear oil to my mixture on the latest application.
I am thinking for the inside turbo bike
I'd use plain old lube for an indoor bike, as I have on my track bike. Shimano wet lube is a nice clean light oil that resists gunking.
Just to add
I only remove and de grease when switching from oil to wax based lubes. Once de greased then it stays on the bike . I get better results be wiping and re applying after a dirty ride , then letting it dry on the chain than using it straight before riding
What are people using to clean the chain prior to dunking in Putoline?
Got a tin and time on my hands.
Generally nothing - just brush off any lose mud.
I do have a plastic jar with citrus degreaser in it that I shake chains in but it seldom gets used.
One of the advantages of Putoline is that it gets right into the rollers as it sits and stews and any grit falls to the bottom of the tin.
What he said, if anything cleaning the chain makes putoline worse as putting a wet chain in a bath of hot putoline just results in an overflowing mess of foamy putoline.
Just chuck the chain in the fryer basket, close the lid and give the basket a bit of a shake assuming the fryer lets you do that.
I give mine a shake in a Tupperware with some white spirit in to remove the worst. Dry it off with paper towel (or give it a quick burn off with a bunsen 👍) and into the Putoline. I just use a £16 gas camping stove to heat mine until it bubbles, then leave chain in until it cools (occasionally too much and have to reheat 😂)
I think if the chain is really manky with wet lube then a clean might help but as its decades since I used anything else I am not sure. so if its covered in gunk clean it, if its just a bit dirty don't bother
So I shouldn't bother with removing the old chain lube residue?
Was going to give each chain brush down with some brake cleaner.
Was going to give each chain brush down with some brake cleaner.
Well, you can (and it might make a tiny difference if by "brush down" you mean proper flush out) but you need to be sure you've let it dry pretty well or it'll spit a bit when it goes in. Leave it in long enough and agitate it a few times while it's in and I reckon you'll pretty much flush out any old lube anyway. If there's loads of gritty crap in there I think I might be more likey to clean it first
As an alternative to Putoline, I've been using Weldtite from a recommendation on another what wet lube thread and it is definitely the cleanest lube I've used that keeps on working through slop. One of the cheapest out there too, especially if you buy it in 1L or 5L bulk.
Homebrew wax guru on Youtube.
Candle wax brew is great through summer etc, but not ad durable as Putoline for Winter slop. However it does give you a really clean looking chain!
I’ve used Rock’n Roll Extreme for about 6/7 years now and won’t be changing any time soon.
