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Other Resources => Component Deals & Selection => Topic started by: carbonazza on January 12, 2018, 03:56:37 AM

Title: Squirt and Paraffin wax for your chain
Post by: carbonazza on January 12, 2018, 03:56:37 AM
A year or so ago, I had a contact with Marcin from Absolute black.
He advised me to try Squirt, a paraffin emulsion(with water) instead of traditional lubes.
And that my drivetrain would last much longer than my usual 5000km.

On top of being much cleaner, it seems he is right about the longevity of the drive train.
I kept a little bottle in my bag, in case of really bad, long, muddy rides to add some mid ride.

However few months ago I found Oz cycling video about waxing your chain:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF9nbwsaSHs

His answer to questions are very interesting too, part 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXuWxehSl-s

And part 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSdgyiLRWm8

Recently GCN made an awful disservice to the cause, with a really poor video compared to Oz.

So I tried.
Got the paraffin in a 5kg pack, the 20€ rice pot, a plastic cocktail shaker to clean the chain.
I will probably go the ultrasonic cleaner route soon, to avoid the diesel cleaning and other dirty fluids.

At the beginning it is messy, you need to be careful to not end with paraffin everywhere.
And it last longer than a usual chain cleaning. But it comes better with practice.
I get it done in about 5' of net time now.
Do that in a well ventilated place, as paraffin, although it is the same you get in home candles, is not very good to inhale.

The result is impressive. Ultra smooth, silent and most importantly clean drivetrain.
After each muddy ride, or multiple dry rides, I just shake the chain in hot water and soap.
Rince it. Dry it. And in the paraffin rice pot.
When the temperature gets to about 52°C get the chain out, wipe it.
And mount it back.

I tried the paraffin/xylene Oz recipe to get a bottled lube.
But it doesn't look to be adapted to colder weather, I can't get it liquid on the trails.

Squirt is already a very good option for a medium/good clean chain.
But paraffin is the best if you learn how to use it.
Title: Re: Squirt and Paraffin wax for your chain
Post by: MTB2223 on January 12, 2018, 04:08:02 AM
I tried the paraffin/xylene Oz recipe to get a bottled lube.
But it doesn't look to be adapted to colder weather, I can't get it liquid on the trails.
Oz did a good job.

I saw the GCN video, it was really horrible.

Do you use the squirt bottle on the trails ? It's not a problem on your OZ-Paraffin-chain ?
Title: Re: Squirt and Paraffin wax for your chain
Post by: Bhaalgorn on January 12, 2018, 07:06:16 AM
I love Squirt too.

I've always flirted with the idea of paraffin...i guess I'll give it a go once I get threw some of my current lubes.
Title: Re: Squirt and Paraffin wax for your chain
Post by: carbonazza on January 12, 2018, 08:35:23 AM
Do you use the squirt bottle on the trails ? It's not a problem on your OZ-Paraffin-chain ?

It was before using paraffin. Now I don't do anything when riding.
However I keep a small reusable bottle of Squirt, in case I would ride in a so terrible mud that some action would be needed.
I guess since it is paraffin too, cleaning it after ride and putting it back in paraffin would work.

If I do it one day, I'll post it here.
Title: Re: Squirt and Paraffin wax for your chain
Post by: tripleDot on January 12, 2018, 08:20:46 PM
I use paraffin wax (just plain paraffin wax) on both my XC and road bikes for over a year now. And have so far only re-waxed them once each. Probably after about 2,000km each. They could have gone longer but the bikes do get exposed to salt water on some occasions. Oz's video was one of the resource info I used. I just did the hot-dip procesd, didn't really got messy at all. Didn't do the squirt bottle either. I don't do any lubrication before, during, after rides at all, and things are smooth. In fact, I have already given away my old lubricants to friends. Just make sure you hosed down (or lightly brush off) any visible sands and grits on the chain after each ride.

I wanted to get an ultrasonic cleaner but had bad luck with the deals (either wrong size, wrong voltage, or communication problem with seller). So I clean my chains using WD40 spray, then a bath with dishwashing liquid, and finally paint thinner wash. So far so good.

The one thing I didn't like about paraffin wax lube is that wax tends to accumulated on the rollers over time. So do have a flat-head screwdriver ready when cleaning your bike, you might need it.
Title: Re: Squirt and Paraffin wax for your chain
Post by: tripleDot on January 14, 2018, 03:15:25 AM
You might also want to check this out. I've read about this from another guy's blog before I did the paraffin wax lube. But went for paraffin wax lube as it was cheaper and more accessible at that time. A 1kg block of paraffin wax cost me $2 (and I've only used 1/8 of the block for a total of 5 applications) and mini cooker was like $4 and both about 20 min away.

The guy on the video claims it's a one time application and it is good for yhe rest of the chain's life.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=78s&v=CGPcHcgb1qc
Title: Re: Squirt and Paraffin wax for your chain
Post by: carbonazza on January 14, 2018, 08:52:28 AM
You might also want to check this out.
Intriguing: “The graphite should have bonded at molecular level to the metal”.
Do you dare to try it first?  ;)
Title: Re: Squirt and Paraffin wax for your chain
Post by: tripleDot on January 14, 2018, 04:31:09 PM
Apparently, graphite lubricant is an old and still used method for locksmiths.

Having brought this up, I'm actually considering the graphite powder for my next chain replacement, about 2k km to go. Also seeing that ebay now have it in smaller quantities (it was minimum 1kg back then, making shipping expensive). But would have to find that article again, as I remember there was a range of mesh (granular size) that was more suitable.

A bit of correction to my previous post, it seems Oz videos on paraffin waxing wasn't my source. I realized this as I didn't know about the paraffin oil. He also advised re-waxing after around 300km use, which wasn't the case with what I used for reference.
Title: Re: Squirt and Paraffin wax for your chain
Post by: MTB2223 on March 02, 2018, 05:20:11 AM
Interesting! How do you wax ? DIY wax with a rice cooker ?

[Split topic] Original question after this post: http://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,181.msg16157.html#msg16157
Title: Re: Squirt and Paraffin wax for your chain
Post by: tripleDot on March 03, 2018, 08:31:06 AM
I also wax my chains with paraffin wax. But instead of rice cooker I use electric kettle similar to the attached photo. Over here in Asia, these kind of kettles (also called mini cookers) are popular because of instant noodles. And comes in various capacities from 300ml to a couple of liters. It's also way cheaper than rice cookers. And some models can actually be used to cook rice or decent meals. Mine was a bit more expensive than what I usually see here but l got it for about US$6.00. I couldn't find paraffin wax locally in small quantity, so I got a 1kg block for US$2. Had already waxed 3 chains twice or trice and the quarter block I used seems enough for a dozen waxing.
Title: Re: Squirt and Paraffin wax for your chain
Post by: karstenhorn on March 03, 2018, 08:41:28 AM
I'm waxing all my chains too and it is the best way to keep your driveline clean and lubricated. Usually I can do more than 300 km on every waxing and the best thing is that your driveline stays completely dry so no dirt is sticking to greasy oil. After a very dirty ride I rinse it off with soap water and and let it dry. Furthermore it is scientific proven that it is the most effective way to lube a chain as well as the fact that it reduces friction and on can gain as much as 20 watts on a road bike.

Here is a few pics of the preparation process, initially I clean the worst dirt off with petrol before I put it in my sonic cleaner for 20 min. After this, I rise it with warm tap water to get all the chemicals off from the Sonic bath. The chain needs to dry the night over in a warm spot and then it is only to cook it in a bath of ordinary paraffin - Same stuff you use for home made candles. I bought 2 kg locally for 10 bucks and it will last for 5 years :D  I bought a cheap electric cooker for making fries etc and it comes with the possibility to set the temp between 40 degrees C and 250 degrees C. Paraffin melts around 60 degrees C so its easily heated, when its melted in the cooker the chain goes inside and stays there for about 10 min while you tap it gently with a screwdriver so to get all air out and paraffin into all rollers. Then it is only to take it out of the paraffin bath and a good advice, immediately after you take it out of the bath take a rag and remove all the paraffin you can from the surface of the chain. After this let it hang for 30 min and cool down and finally break all the joints loose and this takes a little time. The stiffer the chain is, the better it actually is as paraffin is then into all hidden corners of the chain.

One thing that is extremely important is the need to remove all oil from the chain before dumping it into the paraffin bath!!

This is the incredibly dirty driveline from wife's commuter:

(https://s19.postimg.org/u0ffhn1r3/IMG_0995.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/u0ffhn1r3/)

(https://s19.postimg.org/cadqwm3lr/IMG_4331.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/cadqwm3lr/)

After a little cleaning and some magic in the sonic cleaner:

(https://s19.postimg.org/6m7g5prjj/IMG_0306.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/6m7g5prjj/)

(https://s19.postimg.org/3s4as8msf/IMG_0094.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/3s4as8msf/)

Then into the paraffin bath:

(https://s19.postimg.org/v2pm06cun/IMG_2496.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/v2pm06cun/)

(https://s19.postimg.org/8190ugfrz/IMG_2745.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/8190ugfrz/)

This is how the driveline looks after about 50 km in rain and snow, I have not touched it since I gave it full treatment:

(https://s19.postimg.org/l98enaapb/IMG_3391.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/l98enaapb/)

(https://s19.postimg.org/j3e3sw9un/IMG_2249.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/j3e3sw9un/)

What you see in the close up of the chain is tiny pieces of paraffin and that is what also lube the sprockets a little bit and keeping it free of rust.
It is a rather big work the first time you clean everything but from there it is only a matter of cleaning the chain in the sonic cleaner and after drying a quick bath in the cooker and I'm good again for another 500 km :D

Finally, sorry for highjacking the thread.

Title: Re: Squirt and Paraffin wax for your chain
Post by: Calvino on March 04, 2018, 10:15:48 PM
i got a fairly simple setup to wax. since i got a ricecooker for my rice dishes alrdy, i got myself a mixing bowl that fits into the pot so i don't have to buy another rice cooker or other gear that fills up my lil kitchen. Got them for 12€ in a pack of 5 diffrent sizes. I don't use only wax, since i mostly got the issue that it gets squeezed out very quickly(after maybe 50k or sth). I use the recipe form Oz cycle as a base, so i mix "paraffin oil"(thsi term is very diffrent in every country. Here it can mean lamp oil, baby oil, even kerosene) about 3/5 parts wax and 2/5 from the oil, so it has the consistency that it smears when you glide ur fingernail over the mixture(i usually use a knife, dip it in and let it cool to test this). If it crumbles its too hard and you need more wax, if it starts to feel like toothpaste you need more wax.
I use wax granulate which was pretty expensive at 15€/kg, but it melted very quickly and didn't have any color residue form candles or sth similar. After i cleaned my chain in the ultrasonic cleaner(5mins x4 and turning it over after every 5 min) with clear solvent for dishwasher and about 80°C water, i dry it and leave it on th radiotor for about 2 hrs or sth. over night is probably evne better. then i dump the chain in the hot wax/oil mixture for about 15-20 mins and stirr it up every now and then to get all the air out of the links. then i let it cool for 20 mins on a old spoke or a coathanger, put on my quick-link and onto the bike. don't need to flex the links since the wax isn't stiffening up that much with the oil.
Use it on my traditional endurance roadbike, Xc rigid singlespeed and my trail FS. Especially in the winter and muddy conditions, the chain is the cleanest part after a ride :D
Title: Re: Squirt and Paraffin wax for your chain
Post by: tripleDot on June 17, 2020, 12:58:37 PM
Absolute Black's offer to chain lubricant... Graphene.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/amp/news/absoluteblack-launches-new-graphene-chain-lube-with-huge-longevity-and-efficiency-claims/
Title: Re: Squirt and Paraffin wax for your chain
Post by: carbonazza on June 22, 2020, 05:11:18 AM
At about 1000€/liter, the cheap wax is hard to beat, for a hypothetical couple of watts gain.
And having the chain black again would seems odd to me  ;)

What I love with the wax is you just rinse them with boiling water, the chain become clean like new.
The cassette and ring too.

Then dry them, and rewax them.
I do the 9 chains of my road, MTB and gravel bikes at the same time.
It is really efficient, once you did it a few times.

I just made a crazy 600km ride this weekend with the same chain(Eagle rainbow) and no creaks or noise. It was dry.