Problem with SILCA drip wax clogging

[NHAero]

I have six bikes with waxed chains. I started out using Squirt drip lube and had good results, and based on that and reading about Silca here and other places I switched over to Silca Super Secret drip about 2-1/2 years ago. I'm on my second 4 oz bottle of drip lube. After the first year of drip lube I bought a crockpot at the thrift store and a pouch of Silca immersion wax, and then a few months ago bought the chain stripper. So I'm mostly all in on Silca wax

Silca changed the nozzle (is that the right term?) on their bottle to one where you unscrew it a turn and don't remove a cap. I've had trouble with this second bottle (which says Lot #3 on it) clogging the newfangled nozzle. I pull the nozzle tip off and clean it out, but it clogs quickly, even though I shake the bottle well before using. When it is clogged, I squeeze the bottle then blam, a crapload of lube comes out all over the place. I never had this issue with Squirt, which had a simple cap over a hole in the nozzle tip.

I looked carefully yesterday and saw that the liquid is full of clumps, so this isn't going to improve. I called Silca today and the young woman there told me that the clumping can happen if the bottle freezes or the cap has been left off and air gets into the bottle, and that there is no way to unclump the product and that I should toss that container. As that container hasn't been out of my basement, which doesn't drop below the upper 50Fs, and the cap hasn't been left off, this leaves me with tossing the remainder of a $25 purchase without a clear reason why this occurred. And, I bought another bottle on Black Friday sale, which has never been opened, so I wonder if that is already clumping while sitting on the shelf. Even with six bikes, it takes me a year to go through a 4 oz bottle of lube (the Squirt lasted even longer than the Silca for some reason).

I could revert to Squirt in between the Silca immersion waxing, but it's half the cost

Has anyone else had this clogging and clumping issue? I like the Silca products and their philosophy, so I'd like to keep using them, but I'm tired of this particular issue.

[ridethecliche]

Use a sewing needle or something like that to unclog the tip.
Or just put the entire bottle in lukewarm water before you use it.

[litcrazy]

It’s kind of funny, but I’ve had this issue with squirt quite a lot but not on my first silca bottle after my switch.
With squirt, going to the garage with a jar of boiling water became the solution/part of the ritual that I haven’t missed.
Sounds like it may be a temporary respite

[Cat3roadracer]

I started using this product recently and have not experienced the same. That being said, about halfway through the chain treatment I twist the cap closed, shake it up, and resume.

[buckfifty]

Originally Posted by NHAero

I have six bikes with waxed chains. I started out using Squirt drip lube and had good results, and based on that and reading about Silca here and other places I switched over to Silca Super Secret drip about 2-1/2 years ago. I'm on my second 4 oz bottle of drip lube. After the first year of drip lube I bought a crockpot at the thrift store and a pouch of Silca immersion wax, and then a few months ago bought the chain stripper. So I'm mostly all in on Silca wax

Silca changed the nozzle (is that the right term?) on their bottle to one where you unscrew it a turn and don't remove a cap. I've had trouble with this second bottle (which says Lot #3 on it) clogging the newfangled nozzle. I pull the nozzle tip off and clean it out, but it clogs quickly, even though I shake the bottle well before using. When it is clogged, I squeeze the bottle then blam, a crapload of lube comes out all over the place. I never had this issue with Squirt, which had a simple cap over a hole in the nozzle tip.

I looked carefully yesterday and saw that the liquid is full of clumps, so this isn't going to improve. I called Silca today and the young woman there told me that the clumping can happen if the bottle freezes or the cap has been left off and air gets into the bottle, and that there is no way to unclump the product and that I should toss that container. As that container hasn't been out of my basement, which doesn't drop below the upper 50Fs, and the cap hasn't been left off, this leaves me with tossing the remainder of a $25 purchase without a clear reason why this occurred. And, I bought another bottle on Black Friday sale, which has never been opened, so I wonder if that is already clumping while sitting on the shelf. Even with six bikes, it takes me a year to go through a 4 oz bottle of lube (the Squirt lasted even longer than the Silca for some reason).

I could revert to Squirt in between the Silca immersion waxing, but it's half the cost

Has anyone else had this clogging and clumping issue? I like the Silca products and their philosophy, so I'd like to keep using them, but I'm tired of this particular issue.

Did they offer a replacement? I have an unused bottle and tub of Lot#3, the tub is experiencing clumping and pooling of black sediment. I have working bottle of lot#3 that is still working. No clumps or pooling after a yr or two of being opened, odd

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by ridethecliche

Use a sewing needle or something like that to unclog the tip.
Or just put the entire bottle in lukewarm water before you use it.

Not that simple, because the clog with the twist cap happens inside the cap, not at the tip, and the twisty part isn't made to be removed, although I can pull it off to unclog the place that gets clogged. If it were a simple nozzle with a cap then the unclog the tip with a pointy thing works.

I should also say, I imagine that the clumps represent an important part of what makes this a good lube, so really one wants no clumps!

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by buckfifty

Did they offer a replacement? I have an unused bottle and tub of Lot#3, the tub is experiencing clumping and pooling of black sediment. I have working bottle of lot#3 that is still working. No clumps or pooling after a yr or two of being opened, odd

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.

[kppolich]

Had something similar with my CeramicSpeed UFO drip lube. I've found shaking it and/or putting it in some hot water for a while keeps things nice and flowing. Other than that, a little toothpick does the trick to clear the nozzle.

[CAAD]

I completely gave up on the "top-up" program. I now have 3 chains in rotation and just swap them out every 250 miles or so. With the drop top-up method, I had more chain wear. I didn't feel the drip was as effective. Longer dry gravel days I will throw on some squirt mid-ride.

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by kppolich

Had something similar with my CeramicSpeed UFO drip lube. I've found shaking it and/or putting it in some hot water for a while keeps things nice and flowing. Other than that, a little toothpick does the trick to clear the nozzle.

The UFO (I just watched the application video) has a simple capped nozzle, not the twist to open version that Silca switched to.

There must be a reason for the switch. My favorite condiment, Yellowbird Blue Agave hot sauce, also switched from a capped nozzle to one of these twisty things, but so far, even though it's kept in the fridge, it hasn't formed clumps. Maybe I should try it as a lube?

[openwheelracing]

I also had issues with Silca bottles too. Two bottles.

[dgauthier]

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.

At the prices Silca charges for *everything* they should have sent you a replacement for free.

I suggest you call again and request the replacement. If the young lady on the phone doesn't provide satisfaction, ask to speak to a manager.

Then post back here and let us know how Silca's customer service performed.

[m_sasso]

Recall! Go to your favourite fridge and rob the catsup bottle nozzle with the single hole and red cap, fixed!

[bshell]

As mentioned previously -warm water.

But I think 'hot' water will get the wax back into suspension more quickly and possibly for longer. Remove the cap -or at least crack it enough to prevent pressure build up and then set it in a pot of water on the stove. Brace it w/something in the pot to prevent flopping over. Keep an eye on it and shake now and again.

I'm a wax dipper versus a dropper but I wouldn't want to chuck $25 worth.

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by bshell

As mentioned previously -warm water.

But I think 'hot' water will get the wax back into suspension more quickly and possibly for longer. Remove the cap -or at least crack it enough to prevent pressure build up and then set it in a pot of water on the stove. Brace it w/something in the pot to prevent flopping over. Keep an eye on it and shake now and again.

I'm a wax dipper versus a dropper but I wouldn't want to chuck $25 worth.

Simple experiment based on multiple suggestions so I'll give it a try this evening. Thanks