Waxing the chain: How to clean your bike

[joosttx]

I went into the rabbit hole of waxing chains. First ride on was noticeably more pleasant. Now, I have a dirty and dusty bike. How do you clean you bike with a waxed chain?

[parallelfish]

Each time I wash the bike, I first remove the chain, coil it up, and put it in the wax. When finished washing I fish the chain out of the wax and let it cool before reinstalling.

I use a steamer pot and place a pie tin on top, in which I melt the wax. I can go a long while before having to replace the wax. Convection tends to push the dirty stuff out to the outside edge of the tin.

When too dirty, just warm it a bit and with a butter knife lift an edge and pop the entire puck out. Place chain in tin with a stick of wax on top of the chain and turn on the heat.

[fmradio516]

Man I wish I didnt toss my old crock pot.

[parris]

The mini crock pots can be bought for around $10.00 at big box stores.

[joosttx]

Originally Posted by parris

The mini crock pots can be bought for around $10.00 at big box stores.

$3 at goodwill

[fmradio516]

Originally Posted by parris

The mini crock pots can be bought for around $10.00 at big box stores.

wow good call! Now I have no excuse. ;(

Time to learn something new!

[Cicli]

I have been on boutique wax for some time.
Molten Speed Wax and a mini crock pot. Lasts about 500 miles and I do two chains at a time. Rotate them out. The first pound bag has lasted me quite a while. Works well in my opinion and is very clean.

[fmradio516]

Originally Posted by Cicli

I have been on boutique wax for some time.
Molten Speed Wax and a mini crock pot. Lasts about 500 miles and I do two chains at a time. Rotate them out. The first pound bag has lasted me quite a while. Works well in my opinion and is very clean.

Do you use an ultrasonic cleaner prior?

[Cicli]

Originally Posted by fmradio516

Do you use an ultrasonic cleaner prior?

No, I degrease a new chain in oms and rinse in Naphtha. I know, chemicals but I wear PPE and recycle.

[fmradio516]

Originally Posted by Cicli

No, I degrease a new chain in oms and rinse in Naphtha. I know, chemicals but I wear PPE and recycle.

Cool. Is wax considered strictly "dry lube"? Wondering if i can use it on my mountain bike which goes through wet/muddy trails a lot

[Cicli]

Originally Posted by fmradio516

Cool. Is wax considered strictly "dry lube"? Wondering if i can use it on my mountain bike which goes through wet/muddy trails a lot

I used to run it in the snow and salt. Never had an issue. Just reduced the interval to about 250 miles.

[weaponsgrade]

I recently got into waxing as well. I think Speedwax recommends rewaxing after wet rides. I don't get much rain. To wash the bike, I pull the chain off the gears but leave it still attached to the frame and just try to wash around the chain. So far I'm liking this wax thing. The initial waxing process took up a good part of the day but it's great not having to deal with a dirty chain after every ride and greasy rags. Can't say I've noticed any increase in speed.

[glepore]

Wax doesn't wash off, but the grit from a wet ride strips it. You can just wash the bike, don't soap the chain.

Molten is nice, but man its pricey. Pure paraffin from Amazon, a pinch of powdered ptfe. Yes, its a chore but its only once in a while and no chainring tats. Or grease on the car carpet. I rotate chains as well, just have to be organized with multiple bikes and chain lengths.

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by joosttx

I went into the rabbit hole of waxing chains. First ride on was noticeably more pleasant. Now, I have a dirty and dusty bike. How do you clean you bike with a waxed chain?

Don't you have a quick link on your chain? Remove the chain before you wash the bike.

Smoove works better than any crock pot waxing I've used in the past.

[9tubes]

Do you use a replaceable chain link? SRAM links aren't cheap (they're supposed to be one-use items) and what about Shimano?