Cleaning your chain?

Zascar

Mine is a bit manky. Lazst time I tried this new chin lube, kind of waxy - seems now to be full of gunk. Wend and bought new chain lube - and chain cleaner. Is this stuff any use? Going to try to give it a proper clean now, any tips?

GBX

I use kersene to clean mine. I use a tooth brush to put it on the chain and give it a bit of a scrub and the dirt comes right off. Give it a wipe of a cloth allow it to dry then put the lube after.

sorry meant to say it depends on the cleaner. Ive used an Aldi one before it was ok .. did the job. So id give it a good shake, not sure the one you got needs time to settle before wiping it off? Id make sure the chain is dry after before putting lube back on

goodlad

Yeah i also use kerosene and i use a chain brush. It takes all the crap off.
Although kerosene is a bastard to wash off as its not water soluble so i use some Kerosene based cleaner if my local place has some in stock. It rinses away no hassle.

I then give it a blast of muc off chain cleaner as it gets the last few bits of crap out and then evaporates

zubair

I use the muc off chain cleaner, a chain cleaning brush and a cloth/ rag. The wurth chain wax is pretty good and seems to work well, I haven't had to adjust my chain in months, but if you leave it too long between cleans it gets gunky alright. At least with wax your whole bike isn't covered in fling.

Zascar

I have the muc off shin cleaner, do I just spray it on and scrub it with a toothbrush? Won't I just be pushing the crap around? Will I give it a rinse with water - and then spray on the chain lube? Or will I take it for a spin so it will fling it off - then clean the chain after..

goodlad

I didn't find the muc off cleaner any good on its own.
Kerosene + chain brush. Scrub that and rinse by spinning the wheel and spraying the garden hose at the chain

Repeat this is needed and every bit of crap will be gone. The chain will look new.
Then the muc off cleaner as it will push all water our of the links and then it evaporates and you can lube the chain. I use Rokoil chain lube

zubair

If it's really manky you'll need plenty of elbow grease and might need 2 or 3 sprays, brushes and wipes with a rag. I find spraying it and leaving it to soak for a few minutes helps.

Zascar

Ok thanks, will give this a go. Stupid question but where do I get Kerosene?

prunudo

Zascar wrote: »

Ok thanks, will give this a go. Stupid question but where do I get Kerosene?

Some of the older garages have a pump for people to get barrels for the home heating. I know my local one does. Not sure where you'd get it up around you. Maybe somewhere around Blackrock. The little place up near kilternan beside the ski slope might have it also.

goodlad

Yeah its dirt cheap from a garage pump.
Other than that you will get it in woodies or b&w no hassle. Its just more expensive

Cienciano

Zascar wrote: »

Ok thanks, will give this a go. Stupid question but where do I get Kerosene?

Also knows as paraffin. Woodies have it
http://www.woodiesdiy.com/Product/de-vielle-4lt-premium-grade-paraffin-oil/17433/3.5.16#.VDBo8PldX50
Probably cheaper in other places.

Richard tea

Cienciano wrote: »

Also knows as paraffin. Woodies have it
http://www.woodiesdiy.com/Product/de-vielle-4lt-premium-grade-paraffin-oil/17433/3.5.16#.VDBo8PldX50
Probably cheaper in other places.

4 liters would last at least 2 years, possibly more

Wonda-Boy

Zascar I have a 5ltr drum of it here, next time we out for a blast I fill a 7up bottle for you. That would last you months......but yeah stay away from the big garages and you will get it no probs.

Nothing can touch it for cleaning chains and sprockets.

Wax IMHO is the worst thing you can stick on a chain in relation to cleaning it back off, the amount of work involved. Most people just keep adding new wax without taking off the old gunky one 1st!!!!

LookBehindYou

Zascar wrote: »

Ok thanks, will give this a go. Stupid question but where do I get Kerosene?

Get it from your home heating oil tank.:)

arybvtcw0eolkf

I have a BMW ~ just thought I'd mention it :P

Cienciano

I do miss the old shaft drive

Zascar

Ok thanks, deffo dont want 5 litres of it. Might I get a litre or less anywhere?
Wonda I'll take you up on that, thanks. I might just give the chain a basic clean and do a full proper job next time with the parafin

Wonda-Boy

Zascar wrote: »

Wonda I'll take you up on that, thanks. I might just give the chain a basic clean and do a full proper job next time with the parafin

No probs, pm me the next time you going for a blast and I bring it with me. Tis the season to be jolly with CHRISTMAS just around the corner

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Canis Lupus

Zascar wrote: »

Ok thanks, deffo dont want 5 litres of it. Might I get a litre or less anywhere?
Wonda I'll take you up on that, thanks. I might just give the chain a basic clean and do a full proper job next time with the parafin

You'll be able to pick up a bottle of it in any hardware store and often I thought even in the BBQ section of the likes of Tesco etc.

I just use a paintbrush to paint it on, scrub the chain with a dishwashing brush, rinse, wipe, quick spin a couple of times around the block. Lube, done.

Cienciano

goodlad wrote: »

Yeah i also use kerosene and i use a chain brush. It takes all the crap off.
Although kerosene is a bastard to wash off as its not water soluble so i use some Kerosene based cleaner if my local place has some in stock. It rinses away no hassle.

I then give it a blast of muc off chain cleaner as it gets the last few bits of crap out and then evaporates

Is that chain brush one of the sort of U shaped brush? So gimmick or worth getting?

goodlad

Cienciano wrote: »

Is that chain brush one of the sort of U shaped brush? So gimmick or worth getting?

Yup that's the one. Deffo worth getting.
I have an Oxford one and has good strong bristles on it. Cleans both sides of the chain and links really easy.

Cienciano

goodlad wrote: »

Yup that's the one. Deffo worth getting.
I have an Oxford one and has good strong bristles on it. Cleans both sides of the chain and links really easy.

Cool, i'll keep an eye out for one in cotters or bikeworld for one.

Zascar

Few cheap on ebay here from China. I just got one for under a fiver.
http://www.ebay.ie/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=motorcycle+chain+brush&_sop=15
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Motorcycle-Scooter-Bike-Chain-Gear-Cleaner-Washer-Cleaning-Scrubber-Brush-/221481746302?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_BikeLocks_SR&hash=item3391573f7e

Wonda-Boy

Hard tooth brush does it for me TBH.

Zascar

I cleaned my chain last night and I just used an old rag. I sprayed loads of the chain cleaner on, let it sit for a while and spun the wheel a bit, then put the rag in my hand and ran the chain threw it a few rotations. Seemed to take off loads of gunk and grime. I then gave it a good coating of normal chain lube.

Not sure if I totally overdid it, but I used about half a can of that chain cleaner. Not a chap process with the cost of those bottles!

blu3r0ri0n

Zascar wrote: »

Not sure if I totally overdid it, but I used about half a can of that chain cleaner. Not a chap process with the cost of those bottles!

Yeah...I think you might have over done it a little :pac:

I bought a can of muc off chain cleaner about 8 months ago and around a quarter of it is left.

Zascar

I'll know next time to use kerosene first and finish it off with that

blu3r0ri0n

Zascar wrote: »

I'll know next time to use kerosene first and finish it off with that

I just use the muc off, no kerosen, as long as you follow the instructions it does a good job.

Skill Magill

Zascar wrote: »

I cleaned my chain last night and I just used an old rag. I sprayed loads of the chain cleaner on, let it sit for a while and spun the wheel a bit, then put the rag in my hand and ran the chain threw it a few rotations. Seemed to take off loads of gunk and grime. I then gave it a good coating of normal chain lube.

Not sure if I totally overdid it, but I used about half a can of that chain cleaner. Not a chap process with the cost of those bottles!

Z, thats the best way of doing it, but spray the cleaner into the rag first and then wipe clean, running the rag over the chain lets you feel for any problematic areas, tight spots etc then its just a matter of applying whatever lube you want. Old engine oil is fine, you don't need fancy expensive lubes.(not for the chain anyway )

galwaytt

Musa Deep Lobotomy wrote: »

I have a BMW ~ just thought I'd mention it :P

I have a belt drive

Convenience of a shaft, but the price of a chain. And light too.

millingmachine

WD 40.