Chain cleaner

[Stewart Fan]

What do I need to clean the gunk built up on my bikes chain?

I was thinking of using some brake cleaner.

Lubing the chain with Tri-flow when its clean.

 

[The Critic]

Brake clean works, but so does WD-40.

I think WD-40 works best.

 

[Shagger]

wd-40 is my preference as well

 

[mpvue]

it's messy to do it on the bike, but WD-40 is probably the easiest. at the shop I worked at, we removed the whole drivetrain and cleaned it in a safety kleen tank.

 

[Stewart Fan]

Sweet,the WD-40 will save me a trip to the store for brake cleaner.

Are you guys relying on the WD-40 for lubrication as well?

IME,WD-40 isn't a real great lubricant.

 

[NYEngineer]

No. WD-40 isn't good chain lube.

 

[huffmuds9320]

I clean my chain using Simple Green and scrubbing the chain with a toothbrush, then rinse off. Lubing the chain I use Rock N Roll chain lube and on derailer parts I use Tri-flow.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

I use SRAM chains with the removable link. The chain comes off in half a second. After every ride I soak it in a jar of varsol and it comes out shining like a new dime.

 

[goixiz]

is cleaning with gasoline in a jar bad ?
I presoak my chain in gasoline and then i drip dry and then ultrasonic with cleaner and wipe clean - then back on bike before light home made lube

 

[tom slick]

I use BreakFree CLP. Apply it heavy, let it sit for a few hours then wipe off. the chain will be very clean and well lubricated.

 

[oilboy123]

+1 on the Simple Green.

 

[bakechad]

I use Simple Green as well.

I put full concentration simple green into one of those chain cleaners you hang off the chain and run the chain around and around. Then I rinse it off, dry it and re-lube.

Comes out very clean.

 

[Crashbox]

I usually use kerosene for chain cleaning- I put it in one of those nifty clamp-around-the-chain-and-turn-the-crank-type cleaners I got some years ago- like bakechad has- and it still works good (wonder if they still make it???).

Kerosene works for me, YMMV.

 

[oilboy123]

I use the simple green with the park chain cleaner. I am still searching for the best chain lube.

 

[oilboy123]

I should have said the Park chain cleaning tool. It clamps over the chain.

 

[Pablo]

Brake cleaner is kinda nasty for the application.

I used Simple Green (neat) and a brush. This should get a lot of the grime and water soluble salts. Then I rinse, wipe down (dry it off) and soak in WD-40, then another brushing. This will get the residual oils and most of the waxes. Then another wipe and I suppose if you have some waxes left, do a brake clean blast.

I've been lubing with Amsoil MP and Heavy Duty MP lately.

 

[MarkC]

Originally Posted By: oilboy123
I should have said the Park chain cleaning tool. It clamps over the chain.

I use one of those sometimes. Other times, I just use Simple Green or a citrus cleaner.
I'm using White Lightning Clean Ride wax lube this year, we'll see how it does. I usually use Tri-Lube, though last year I used White Lightning Epic and liked it a lot.

 

[wantin150]

Little behind on this one. Simply use Dawn dish detergent full strength. Dribble the soap on there and let it sit for a few minutes. Coat the cassette too. Then, take a regular old stiff brush and hold it on the rear cassette while rotating the chain backward. Rinse and repeat if necessary.

 

[threeta]

nothing wrong with petrol - just the resulting fire will kill you!!!

 

[SLCraig]

I use brake cleaner as well, then I lube with my normal finish line dry teflon lube.