Chain ultrasonic cleaning

[JHZR2]

I tried cleaning a chain in the ultrasonic cleaner recently. Used some finish line degreaser and water.

It was interesting to watch dirt float out of the chain parts as soon as I turned it on. It was also interesting to see the dirt remain dispersed in the water. It wouldn’t settle.

Well, a lot did I guess.

The chain, which is a few years old but has very few miles, didn’t come out as clean and bright as I had hoped.

And a lot could still be wiped off.

Is this as good as it gets? Is there another way to get chains clean and bright? I’ve heard of the jar of diesel or kerosene or mineral spirits. I’ll probably do that as well.

So, what do you say, good to run, or do something else?

I’ll probably put dumonde tech classic original on there and call it a day if I shouldn’t do anything else. Some day I may like to get into the Silca wax system but not today.

 

[Pablo]

I tried cleaning a chain in the ultrasonic cleaner recently. Used some finish line degreaser and water.

It was interesting to watch dirt float out of the chain parts as soon as I turned it on. It was also interesting to see the dirt remain dispersed in the water. It wouldn’t settle.

View attachment 303195

Well, a lot did I guess.

View attachment 303196

The chain, which is a few years old but has very few miles, didn’t come out as clean and bright as I had hoped.

View attachment 303197View attachment 303198
And a lot could still be wiped off.

View attachment 303200

Is this as good as it gets? Is there another way to get chains clean and bright? I’ve heard of the jar of diesel or kerosene or mineral spirits. I’ll probably do that as well.

So, what do you say, good to run, or do something else?

I’ll probably put dumonde tech classic original on there and call it a day if I shouldn’t do anything else. Some day I may like to get into the Silca wax system but not today.

Longer and new cleaner in US tank. THEN You need a secondary clean, Simple Green, lots of rinsing, boiling water then oil immediately while hot. Should look like new after that.

 

[Kestas]

It may have been finished with a black oxide (or blue) finish when new.

Instead of water, perhaps you can fit it into a glass jar with mineral spirits, then place that into the tank with water. Make sure to use a glass container and not plastic, since plastic will attenuate the ultrasonics.

 

[Wheel]

Longer and new cleaner in US tank. THEN You need a secondary clean, Simple Green, lots of rinsing, boiling water then oil immediately while hot. Should look like new after that.

Don't leave it soaking in the Simple Green. A dip and rinse is OK. Hydrogen embrittlement is a thing.

 

[Pablo]

Don't leave it soaking in the Simple Green. A dip and rinse is OK. Hydrogen embrittlement is a thing.

Simple green is a base, somewhat reducing, it will not H embrittle steel or more precisely cause stress corrosion cracking.

 

[MasterSolenoid]

I put some old copper pennies into an ultrasonic cleaner (mild soap) for 15 minutes, hoping they would get shiny.
When finished, the pennies did not look shiny and had a dirty appearance to them.
I kind of thought I ruined my penny collection from when I was a little kid.

 

[Nessism1]

Looks like lots of dirt came out. How about putting it back in for a second round?

 

[bioilcurious]

Kerosene on a rag and it will look perfect. If it is really dirty use a tooth brush with kerosene and scrub it. This is what I do for my bicycle chain.

 

[Nessism1]

Kerosene on a rag and it will look perfect. If it is really dirty use a tooth brush with kerosene and scrub it. This is what I do for my bicycle chain.

That cleans the outside, but not down inside the rollers.

I use an old gatoraid bottle with mineral spirits. Soak, and shake. Do that for a day or so, then move chain to a second bottle, with clean spirits. Keep both bottles, because the sludge will settle out, and you can skim clean spirits off the top for reuse.

 

[Nessism1]

And FWIW, be sure to measure elongation on that old chain. Elongation more than .75% signals replacement time.

 

[RooflessVW]

Kerosene on a rag and it will look perfect. If it is really dirty use a tooth brush with kerosene and scrub it. This is what I do for my bicycle chain.

I have used kerosene in my ultrasonic cleaner as well.

 

[MRC01]

I use the Park chain scrubber tool with WD-40 as the cleaning agent (WD40 is cheap when purchased by the gallon). When it's done, the chain scrubber has collected a bunch of dust & dirt similar to what you got in the ultrasonic cleaner. Afterward, I oil it with chainsaw bar & chain oil. And I replace chains when the measured elongation reaches 0.5% (1/16" stretch over 12"). One indicator of how well the cleaning method works is how long the chains last. I typically get several thousand miles, even with MTB chains.

I've considered using an ultrasonic parts cleaner, but only if it produces better results. I'm curious about any data indicating whether that is the case.

 

[Nessism1]

I have used kerosene in my ultrasonic cleaner as well.

It's generally not advised to use flammable chemicals inside an ultrasonic. I've read where people put the chemical in a bag, along with the part, then submerge it in water, though.

Regarding the effectiveness of ultrasonics in general, my china cheepie ultrasonic was never much good. I recently bought a used Branson, and hopes are higher now.

 

[RooflessVW]

It's generally not advised to use flammable chemicals inside an ultrasonic. I've read where people put the chemical in a bag, along with the part, then submerge it in water, though.

Regarding the effectiveness of ultrasonics in general, my china cheepie ultrasonic was never much good. I recently bought a used Branson, and hopes are higher now.

Yeah that's what I mean. Kerosene in a mason jar. Have used PD680 straight in the tank for stainless filters and turbine parts (and M16 parts) but that was allowed.

Can't find PD680 anymore. The new stuff isn't the same.

 

[JRay’07]

A bench grinder with a wire wheel can improve your chain’s appearance. Just be sure to use a wheel with brass bristles which are more gentle. Rinse the chain again afterwards in order to remove any dust.

 

[jadmt]

I do the hot wax on my chains but I am doing lots of road miles so definitely not for everyone. I also use Silca chain stripper..works great and again not for eveyone but once you go go wax it is hard to ever go back to lubing your chain. People tend to think it is a hassle but it is super easy and super clean.
https://silca.cc/collections/bike-maintenance/products/chain-stripper

 

[Mainia]

Now you need some high temp ester chain lube from now on.

 

[JRay’07]

I do the hot wax on my chains but I am doing lots of road miles so definitely not for everyone. I also use Silca chain stripper..works great and again not for eveyone but once you go go wax it is hard to ever go back to lubing your chain. People tend to think it is a hassle but it is super easy and super clean.
https://silca.cc/collections/bike-maintenance/products/chain-stripper

Once you wax you never go backs.

 

[JHZR2]

Kerosene on a rag and it will look perfect. If it is really dirty use a tooth brush with kerosene and scrub it. This is what I do for my bicycle chain.

I have some Ed’s red someplace so I’ll try that. Or diesel. Wouldn’t be that different I suppose.

Interesting that it makes it shine. My intention is to do the kerosine or spirits in a mason jar at some point. This specific chain had been caked in dirt for a very long time, so I figured the aqueous route with degreaser might be better, fwiw.

 

[Wheel]

Simple green is a base, somewhat reducing, it will not H embrittle steel or more precisely cause stress corrosion cracking.

My understanding is that regular simple green is unbuffered, and can become acidic if left for longer periods of time. Simple green aircraft would be a better choice if left to soak, it is apparently buffered.