Best method to clean chain

[PtboSprintSt]

Hi,
I've read guys saying WD-40 is good, but then read that it can damage o-rings. A mechanic told me to use kerosene, but I saw a listserv posting saying this wasn't a good method.

Anyone know for sure what is the best means to keep the chain clean?

[Beach]

There are a lot of opinions about this one.

So at the risk of sparking a long thread on the subject I will tell you of my experience and method.

NEVER use petrol (gasoline). Whilst it will clean the metal surfaces very quickly, it will eat the rubber O rings in days.

I've never used WD 40 as a chain cleaner, but I know people that do.

I use kerosene on a rag as well as an old toothbrush and wash it off with water, run the bike in gear on the center stand to dry it, then spray on chain lube. I've done this for years about once a fortnight and regularly get 20k - 25k per chain and sprockets.

I've recently discovered Liquid Lanolin. It doesnt contain harsh solvents so I use that instead of WD 40 for all sorts of applications including applying to threads to prevent corrosion & freezing. It works well for cleaning the chain as well.

Hope this helps,
Brett.

[Stlakid]

I did basically the same thing when I changed out my rear sprocket. WD-40 is sometimes referred to as denatured kerosene. Whatever, I don't know, but I do know it's kind of expensive for cleaning purposes. I used what a friend of mine has used in his solvent tank for years. It works well for cleaning, isn't as harsh as other products and leaves an oily film on things I've cleaned with it. Oh, yes it's also available EVERYWHERE. Go to the gas (or petrol if you prefer) station and buy a gallon of diesel! Cheap (well until the oil companies figured out how to stick it to us) easy to find and much safer than using many other products. I soaked the chain in a pail for a while then got out the tooth brush, then wiped it dry with a rag. Looked like new!

[DaveM]

I have used kerosine for 30 years cleaning my chains (never owned a shafty or belt drive) and have never had a problem.

Davem

I have used DE-natured alcohol for years (used to clean printing presses) with a grunge brush which is basically a three sided large tooth brush. I got the grunge brush at the local Cycle Gear.
Seems to work for me and so far I have 14K miles on the chain and sprockets w/o incident.

[rodneybrown]

There was a guy just a few days ago that said kerosene was bad for o-rings. I'm not sure were he got that from and I don't believe it. WD-40 is Water Displacement version 40. It's lubrication properties aren't supposed to be good. There are those who say to use it after the chain is run in the rain then use chain lube. I've been using DuPont Multi-Purpose Teflon Lubricant for pushing 2000 miles. Absolutely no grimey crud build up. No sling anywhere, it is totally dry to the touch after about half an hour. Wipe off with a kerosene rag every so often and hit it with another coat. The proof will come with how long the chain and sprockets last. I'm getting to the point if you keep the grime off you may not need any chain lube because the sprockets and chain will go bad in about the same time as if you used chain lube. I'll swear the Bel-Ray and PJ1 I used to use just created a paste that ate the chain and sprockets faster.

[g027605]

i believe the owner's manual on my 02 says to use paraffin/paraffin oil which is kerosene, so that's what i've used.

get yourself a grunge brush as mentioned above. it works great and if i recall i picked it up at a local bike shop.

[DragonDan]

I use kerosene and an autoparts bristle brush. Center stands really help for this.

So, it seems Kerosene is king, but what about chain lube? I've been using the Bel-Ray white stuff, but it seems to kinda goop up in the nooks & crannies, so the above statement about it being a trap for grit makes sense.

[amrehm]

Kerosene works best & really fast. A couple swipes with a damp cloth & the chain is like new. You have to get all the dirt off for the lube to be effective. So clean & then lube.

It also works great as a bug & tar remover & doesn't hurt the paint.

Alan

[ST-ern]

My local Yammie dealer, who races and whose opinion I've come to respect, reckons that kero can swell the O/X rings and advises against using it. He just wipes his chain plates with a rag and if they're really gunged up adds a few drops of diswashing liquid to the rag. Following this routine with a light spray lube every 500km gave me 40,000km out of my last chain.

WD40 has solvents and can penetrate the rings and do damage to the grease inside.

The best treatment is prevention. A light spray is all that is needed and no spray on the outside plates. A mate reckons that all that needs a bit of lube is where the sprocket teeth meet the rollers and he just gives a short spray on less than a quadrant of chain/sprocket when they're hot.



[ This message was edited by: ST-ern on 2006-06-15 17:20 ]