Removing factory grease from new chain

Carnmore · 02-11-2023 4:09pm #1

For a new Shimano chain, which has not been fitted, what is the best way of degreasing it?

I use 50:50 diluted No Nonsense degreaser for maintenance degreasing.

Thanks in advance.

magicbastarder · 02-11-2023 4:21pm

i think most people leave the factory grease on! bar wiping the exterior with a rag with maybe some WD40 in it.

Carnmore · 02-11-2023 4:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121316199#Comment_121316199

According to the Squirt e-bike chain wax manufacturer, factory grease needs to be removed prior to use.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B083V6R9...roduct_details

magicbastarder · 02-11-2023 4:36pm

ah, if you're waxing your chain then you need to strip the grease off.

i'd take the chain off and sit it in a bath of petrol or white spirits.

Carnmore · 02-11-2023 4:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121316273#Comment_121316273

Can 50:50 diluted No Nonsense degreaser be used to remove the factory grease?

Or if using petrol/white spirits, how long to leave in the bath and does the chain need to be left to dry afterwards?

CantGetNoSleep · 02-11-2023 5:18pm

I use two baths in white spirits, then alcohol.

This process here:

https://moltenspeedwax.com/pages/clean-your-chain

CramCycle · 02-11-2023 6:20pm

The question is, are you waxing it though. If you are not, and just using regular lube, I'd leave it on, nothing wrong with it.

Bambaata · 02-11-2023 7:11pm

If waxing then I do an over night in white spirits followed by as many 1 min washes as it takes to get clear white spirits. Then followed by acetone. I filter the white spirits and acetone back into bottles using coffee filter papers so I can keep reusing it. I've found that it can take about 3 washes with a new chain but took me about 5 or 6 washes to a chain that had only done about 100-200km!

crosstownk · 02-11-2023 9:24pm

Get some engine degreaser from your local motor factors. It'll strip grease and dirt off first time. About €30 for 5 litres and will last you years. It's so effective you need to keep it away from headsets, freehubs and hub bearings. Be sure to dispose of it correctly.

Joe1919 · 03-11-2023 6:41pm

Factory Lube

New chains come pre-lubricated with a grease-type lubricant which has been installed at the factory. This is an excellent lubricant, and has been made to permeate all of the internal interstices in the chain. The chain and this lubricant need to be warmed during application.

This factory lube is superior to any lube that you can apply after the fact -- well, unless...see below.

Some people make the bad mistake of deliberately removing this superior lubricant. Don't do this!

The factory lubricant all by itself is usually good for several hundred miles of service if the bike is not ridden in wet or dusty conditions. It is best not to apply any sort of lube to a new chain until it is clearly needed, because any wet lube you can apply will dilute the factory lube.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

Interesting. The old advice was always as above. Is there something special about modern chains that needs the factory lube removed or is it just that lube manufacturers are trying to sell more bike lube products?

07Lapierre · 03-11-2023 9:03pm

The grease like lube on new chains is the best as it’s applied before the chain is assembled. This means it’s on the parts of the chain that need it the most.

unless you intend applying wax, don’t remove it.

magicbastarder · 03-11-2023 9:07pm

the OP is trying to apply wax based lube which cannot be applied over oil based lube, hence the step of stripping all the factory lube off.

CramCycle · 03-11-2023 9:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121321459#Comment_121321459

It's only for wax, the Shimano grease is absolutely fine but wax is better, if you use the Shimano grease you end up having a bigger first clean and a bit of wear. Does it really matter, all depends on what you are doing next. If your not using wax, leave the Shimano grease on. If you are using wax, do you want the wear benefits and an easier first clean or do you not mind a tougher first clean a few 100km later. Personally, you'd have to think options 1 or 2 are the only ones that make sense.

Removing factory grease from new chain

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