Problem with SILCA drip wax clogging

[oldguy00]

Somewhat off topic, I tried the super secret wax, and did not like it as much as molten. I was using a brand new, stripped dura ace chain, have been using wax for years so not new to it, and for whatever reason the silca stuff just didn't feel like it was working into the chain well, it was running rough even after a few km's of riding. Also noticed that a lot of the wax in the crock pot seemed to evaporate after the first use, odd.

I did message Josh about it, he never replied to me (several months ago).

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by jasflyfisher

I'm a recent convert to the Silca wax lube, and haven't been crazy about the applicator tip. I find it dispenses either too much or too little. Cross-pollinating from fly tying where I use a needle tip applicator bottle for applying head cement, I thought something similar might work for the lube. I wasn't sure about whether the lube would work with the needle (maybe too viscous or chunky), so I purchased a set of bottles with four different sized needles. Turns out it works like a charm, and the 18g needle worked best for me. You can buy bottles with caps for the needle, but I was concerned about the lube hardening in there. After application, I pull the needle off the bottle, cap the bottle, and rinse the needle under the tap. So far, so good. Hope this might help.

Cool! Please link to the product that worked for you.

[jasflyfisher]

Originally Posted by NHAero

Cool! Please link to the product that worked for you.

Sure thing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09R4DYDHC...roduct_details

[Dave]

Some of those needle point applicator bottled have needles that are too big, depending on the viscosity of the fluid being dispensed.

It sounds like more trouble than I have with my home made paraffin based drip lube that costs pennies per ounce to make. I place the dispenser in hot tap water before using. Then it has a water like viscosity, so a needle applicator needs to be small. In cool temps, I also warm the chain with a heat gun.

I'd place the applicator bottle in hot tap water for 5 minutes before using. If that doesn't fix it, some of the solvent in the mix may have evaporated.

[buckfifty]

I like using this applicator with the Silca wax drip on. Less lube wasted spilling over onto the ground
https://www.ryderinnovation.com/luberetta

[zs3889]

Originally Posted by jasflyfisher

I'm a recent convert to the Silca wax lube, and haven't been crazy about the applicator tip. I find it dispenses either too much or too little.

This the same issue I have with the Silca wax lube. The applicator tip is trash compared to Squirt. I wish they would use a simpler one like the Squirt bottle.

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by zs3889

This the same issue I have with the Silca wax lube. The applicator tip is trash compared to Squirt. I wish they would use a simpler one like the Squirt bottle.

They used to, and they switched to a twist open cap.

[makoti]

Originally Posted by NHAero

They used to, and they switched to a twist open cap.

Was going to say this.
The older metal tip was great, but I dropped the bottle and the tip broke off. Might be why they changed. It was so much nicer to use, unfortunately

[crcycle]

Originally Posted by NHAero

She did not offer a replacement but she sounded quite young and not really trained up yet as a customer service person for a premium brand.The web site says,

"It is our sincerest belief that products built to last should come with the finest warranty and support coverage in all of cycling."

Which is why I called first instead of posting here. But now I really want to understand why the clumps happen, and whether the next bottle sitting on my shelf will have the same issue.

I had a similar customer service issue with a brand new pump gauge reading 20 psi high. After I was told that I was not equipped with the knowledge, skill, or tools to determine this discrepancy. I said that I would even buy a OEM gauge from Silca and she recommended that I buy an aftermarket gauge from Fastenal. It wouldn't have worked since Silca's pump was BPT and that gauge was NPT. After several emails and was getting nowhere I C.C. Josh@Silca for all correspondence. Finally after 12, yes 12 emails I was told that I could return it so that they can inspect and test the gauge with a stern warning that I would have to pay for postage both ways if they determined that there wasn't any problem.

Guess what...They found that it was inaccurate! I guess I did have the ability to test a gauge . I did extensive comparison testing before I contacted them. More emails, more emails. They continued to belittle me by saying that it was ONLY OFF by 12psi at 80, and that it could have been damaged by me. That is still 15%, way more than the margin of error of this gauge. Does this need to be restated to the customer? Finally shipped me a new one that was within 1-2psi of my test.

This was a multiweek, multi-conversation process for an admittedly defective $10 part on a brand new pump. Does not instill confidence in their ability to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction.