simple green to clean chain

[oldndumb]

Ditto what dolson said. Simple Green and WD40 are two products which were forbidden in every shop I worked in. If your chain absolutely must be cleaned, use kerosene (paraffin).

[NotSoFast]

Just gona jump in here and say I use Motorex aerosol chain cleaner with a grunge brush to clean my chain. It works great, and it's "o" ring safe. Not as cheap as kerosene, but faster and cleaner.

Also, just for the record PJ1 clear chain lube, although almost evryone else that I work with swears by Silkolene synthetic lube.

[climbbike]

lol, didn't mean to start an argument. Most important though, no matter how you do it, keep the chain relatively clean. Dirt getting into the seals is what prematurely kills chains. That's why the tacky/waxy lubes are so bad for your chain. The truth is your chain doesn't really need much lube because it's sealed. Just needs light lube and to be kept clean.

If WD 40 works for you great but for me, I've seen how well it works on rusted bolts and if it works that well on a rusted bolt, I don't even want to imagine what it's doing to my chain (or paint. yes, i've seen people clean their tanks with WD 40). Kerosene is inexpensive, works excellent and recommened so I'm not putting my warranty at risk. Why would I not use it??? Just my 2 cents.

[oldndumb]

climbbike, I couldn't agree with you more about the waxy stuff some riders are using on their chains. But don't be surprised if you get flamed for it. I was when I mentioned it earlier, and cautioned those that insist on using wax to routinely remove their front sprocket covers and clean out the big waxy mass of crud that collects there.

[oldgoat57]

Wow, thanks for the tip. No more Simple Green or WD 40 for me either. Not even on my Mountain bike.

[ricster]

Thats why we ask these questions..if your not sure..ask the guys on the forum with more experience. I try to give you my experiences on other things, and im glad to help...its what the forums I think are about! :hammer:

[Yimm]

On 2007-05-27 11:26, dolson wrote:

WD-40. Water based and will rust ferrous and corrode non-ferrous materials.

Don

WD-40 evidently has some issues I was unaware of, but it is neither water based nor water soluble. See attached MSDS.

WD-40 MSDS

Does anyone have an opinion they would like to express on 3in1 Oil? Marvel Mystery Oil perhaps? :-D

[DaveM]

Well I'm with Don,
I have used kerosine for 30 years and it's fine.

My 63 year old mate who is an ex racer has only ever used deisel and still uses it.

We both enjoy very long life from our chains, I use a spray lube and kero and he uses just the deisel as his lube.

DaveM

[ST_Scoot]

A mate of mine at work is an ex-sidecar champ. He has a bandit with 50k on it that is in better 'nic than when it rolled off the showroom floor. I asked him this very question a while ago and he said - "kero to clean, PJ1 to lube".

No point in me wasting $$$ on chains and sprockets etc to find out what he has already learnt.

Experience is the best teacher - don't be afraid to take the shortcut, it's less painful and cheaper.

P.S. Thanks to all the old hands. You save me lots of money and heartache. I appreciate it. I don't post much but have read/learnt heaps on this site. One day I hope to be able to help the next generation of pups.

[BMWK100]

I went to Home Depot today and they don't carry Kerosene. A customer who claimed to be a mechanic advised me to buy Mineral Spirits claiming it has less oil but will do the same thing as Kerosene. I will lube the chain after. Are Mineral Spirits OK?