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scaredypants
Open plan kitchen as well :-). We have been together 40 years. she is used to my foibles 😉
Done. Won't know how it rides until I get the mechs sorted, but the chain looks pretty good for now. Putoline got to about 150C, and on the chain it seemed very thin and dripped off - so I must've not heated it enough last time out.
Been wanting to convert to wax for a while - so now's a good time.
Couple of questions please. Do I genuinely need to strip and clean the cassette of all dirt and oils as it says in the info guides before I put my first wax chain on?
Can I use a slow cooker instead of hotplate or fryer?
Any other tips for a starter newbie would be appreciated (I'm happy for you to tell me to scan this thread instead of being a lazy arse!! 😁)
Do you genuinely need to degrease and clean the chain/cassette.
No. I prefer to, after all it only takes a minute to slosh it around in an old plastic container with some hot water, or two minutes if you slosh it in some fairy/liquid or degreaser and then do a two or three rinse sloshes. A lot of grit comes out. I've never heard of cleaning the cassette being essential. I probably would though, but it's a horrible messy job.
Plenty of people don't bother though and believe the grit all settles to the bottom anyway and/or that degreaser will get into the wax and make it last less well.
I use a small slow cooker but I'd really prefer a mini-fryer as the basket makes draining easier. I am always messing about trying to fish out and then suspend the chains above the slow cooker to allow the excess wax to drain in.
Any other tips for a starter newbie would be appreciated
Scan the thread you lazy arse, we've had to suffer six pages of it, why shouldn't you 😉
You’ve been using the stuff for 10 years and MrsTJ STILL lets you get away with that shit. WTF does your house smell like ?
Given TJ's told us he never wears deodorant, maybe the Putoline is a preferable smell 🙂
Been toying with this idea for a while and might make the move now I have time. Is the cheapest source of a safe fryer still Argos (want a cheap solution but I worry about the ebay route).
Been toying with this idea for a while and might make the move now I have time. Is the cheapest source of a safe fryer still Argos (want a cheap solution but I worry about the ebay route).
Got one of these. Cheep as chips and does the job;
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7173961
Do you genuinely need to degrease and clean the chain/cassette.
if its really claggy then the first time probably. After that then no - the molten wax cleans the chain
My tin's arrived!
Hi-ho, hi-ho, to fiery waxy death we go...
Is it possible to put too much Putoline on? I’ve just done a chain now and there looked like there was quite a lot on when I was putting the chain back in my bike. Can I just scrub the excess off, or leave it to fall off whilst I ride, or heat it up again and wipe down with a clean rag?
Anyone help me with the above?
Hi Ed - I'd just put it on and go ride, the excess will fall off.
Next time perhaps have the Wax a bit hotter whilst your chain is in, and give it a quick wipe with a rag whilst its hanging.
I was doing mine at 190 on a wee deep fat fryer, but I think thats a wee bit hot and makes it too thin, going to try 170 ish for the next batch.
I did reply, it got lost.
But you don't "put Putoline on" - you dunk it in the molten wax, so you always ned up with the same amount.
I hang my chain up and then wipe off the excess fairly thoroughly whilst still warm. If I don't wipe off excess, then bits of it come off and get on the cassette and ring, but that's not a huge issue really.
What molgrips said.
The smoke point is ~190C so there doesn't seem much point maxing it out in the fryer, it still smokes whilst its melting but settles down and is runny enough at 140-160ish (I doubt the thermostat is that accurate anyway).
If you do use too much it just gets chipped off or ends up on the jockey wheels. Scraps of old rag and some nice thick work gloves to clean the excess of the outside.
On the SS I don't bother, that get's left with a thick coat and lasts forever 🤣
My tin arrived yesterday as well.
Going to use the camping stove, but was hoping to do a few chains in one hit. How long do you leave each one in, or do I just put them
All in at once ?
My tin has very little in the way of instructions.
I've done several at once. in a DFF but don't see why in the tine would be different, just move them around a bit, turn them over, etc. I have an old spoke with a 180deg bend in it for fishing out, into the tin lid with a bit of blue tissue on it, and then hung up over a hook on a rafter in the garage with the tin under for drips.
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Well, my Putoline cherry is comprehensively popped, two chains done at the weekend.
First one - tin on camping stove on workbench in garage, wax heated till you can see the surface 'shimmering', chain lowered in using a de-bended, mahoosive, paper clip hooked in at the middle, end of paper clip over side of tin. Wait a few mins, chain hoiked out using the clip (and thick gloves), clip hooked on nail strategically whacked into beam above tin. Excess wax drips back into tin and good wipe down with rag. Left to cool, back on bike, sorted.
Same, except wax heated to smoking (oops, bad, smelly) and didn't quite leave to cool for long enough before putting back on bike (oops, bad, sticky). All fine though, just learning points.
I'm sold.
Wait til you go for your first soaking wet ride and the chain stays silent the whole way round.
I've got to take my bike to the shop tomorrow for a warranty issue so I thought I'd better clean it after last time...
Anyhoo, As the wheels are out and the bike is on a stand, drying in the sun I decided I might as well re-wax the chain. I popped the split link off and lo and behold, under the plates is still packed with wax after 300+ miles. Admittedly, the weather has been good for the last few weeks, but still I'm impressed.
Two unopened boxes in the garage - a DFF and a tin of Putoline.
Guess what this weekends job is?
Triple cooked chips?
well, I have to say, after looking at Wally's photos, that all looks v convenient...
How clean was Wally's chain before it went in the frier? I'm assuming spotless.
IHN - I just give mine a bit of a wipe and chuck it in.
On my SS commuter I don't think I get as long between relines as some others on here, or maybe I just relube at the first sound of chain noise, but I do love the lack of mess, the minimal maintainance and the stealthy silence.
Yeah, I gave mine a good wipe down, and it came out fairly clean, but yours and Wally's seem to have come out gleaming. Maybe I need to leave it in longer, how long do you dunk yours for?
And I've just ordered a DFF 🙂
IHN - once you have been using the putoline the chain does not get filthy and any grit just falls to the bottom when dunked in the wax
👆 mines a nickel SS chain so that may add to its glam! I kinda do what the bloke in the chippy does, let it fry for a bit whilst giving it a shake!
Doing mine yesterday stirred up fond memories of visits to the chippy.
Perhaps I should have let it dry for a bit longer after washing the bike...
Maybe I need to leave it in longer,
I find it gets less gunky if left for a while, presumably it must take a while to soak in and melt all the old wax out of the links. Dunk it in, give it a shake, go do something else (wash the bike, make a cup of tea, have a beer) for 10-15 minutes. Then give it a good shake in the basket to get the wax off the outside once it's done.
Perhaps I should have let it dry for a bit longer after washing the bike…
Yea, take the chain off first or you end up with solidified putoline foam all over the workbench!
do what the bloke in the chippy does,
Swear he’s Elvis?
Feels odd, wanting my hardtails drive to wear because I want to go 1x and fit a dropper. I want to try the wonder wax, but not yet if it means my chain & cassette will last longer.
Yea, take the chain off first or you end up with solidified putoline foam all over the workbench!
Nah, I just shut the lid on the DFF.
Dunk it in, give it a shake, go do something else (wash the bike, make a cup of tea, have a beer) for 10-15 minutes.
Ah, right, I left it in for about five minutes, obviously needs to stay in longer.
five mins is all I do
Aagh, bloody 'ell, make your mind up people! 😉
People using a DFF for this, what temp do you set it to? I'm giving mine a go in the next few days and thought I'd see how smelly, smoky etc it was (plus I couldn't wait so had to have a go at something!) so I've got the wax in the fryer now ready to sort the chain before the weekend. Only thing I don't really know is how hot to get the wax? It melted at a pretty low temp but don't want to balls it up first time by it being not hot enough!
Ta
Yes ^ I could do with knowing that too? I'm sure it has been mentioned previously but there are a hell of a lot of posts to read through. My tin of wax and DFF arrived yesterday and I'm looking forward to trying it.
The Putoline Evangalists (ooh possible band name there) on here seem to be doing a good job of converting the masses.
I let mine melt and then get to a point where is starting to be very runny and have obvious convection currents in it. Well above 100C It needs to be runny like =water and the chain to retain enough heat that excess just drips of before solidifying
I should be on commission!
Thanks TJ!
Daft question then, say I whack it up to max (180-190 I think) so its proper hot, would that cause any issues? Other than extra smell and maybe a bit of smoke!!!
You mean you’re not? Thought all the kickbacks were enabling you to retire!
Well above 100C
I did mine in the kitchen; stuck a meat thermometer in and it was at 150c and pretty runny. I would've liked to get it a bit hotter, but the wife was giving me daggers, so I thought it better just to do the chain and scarper...
I wouldn't get it that hot. Maybe someone using a dff can help. Maybe 140?
I can't remember what the flashpoint is
My dff is set on 160' and never been a problem.
160 here too, gets a wee bitty smoky at 190
Mine's on er 140 I think. Seems to work well. I don't think it gets much runnier after that.