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#1
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Yet another chain cleaning tip
Usually I remove the chain (using the removable link) and shake the chain in
a jar of orange degreaser. Today I microwaved the jar of degreaser until it was steaming (about 2 minutes). It worked way, way better- it removed all the grease - no residue left. The chain came out sparkling, like it was brand new. Be sure you do this in a ventilated area, however. |
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#2
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Yet another chain cleaning tip
Gary Smiley wrote: Usually I remove the chain (using the removable link) and shake the chain in a jar of orange degreaser. Today I microwaved the jar of degreaser until it was steaming (about 2 minutes). It worked way, way better- it removed all the grease - no residue left. The chain came out sparkling, like it was brand new. Be sure you do this in a ventilated area, however. Sounds like an improvemnt over what I've been doing with orange degreaser. How do you ventilate? Do you have a microwave in your garage? (Should I search ebay for a Campagnolo microwave oven?) Thanks for the tip. Larry |
#3
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Yet another chain cleaning tip
Gary Smiley wrote: Usually I remove the chain (using the removable link) and shake the chain in a jar of orange degreaser. Today I microwaved the jar of degreaser until it was steaming (about 2 minutes). It worked way, way better- it removed all the grease - no residue left. The chain came out sparkling, like it was brand new. Be sure you do this in a ventilated area, however. Sounds like an improvemnt over what I've been doing with orange degreaser. How do you ventilate? Do you have a microwave in your garage? (Should I search ebay for a Campagnolo microwave oven?) Thanks for the tip. Larry |
#4
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Yet another chain cleaning tip
Gary Smiley wrote: Usually I remove the chain (using the removable link) and shake the chain in a jar of orange degreaser. Today I microwaved the jar of degreaser until it was steaming (about 2 minutes). It worked way, way better- it removed all the grease - no residue left. The chain came out sparkling, like it was brand new. Be sure you do this in a ventilated area, however. I normally clean my chain on the bike with one of those cleaning boxes, but this sounds like a good idea. I'll give it a try, thanks for the tip. Smokey |
#5
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Yet another chain cleaning tip
Gary Smiley wrote:
Usually I remove the chain (using the removable link) and shake the chain in a jar of orange degreaser. Today I microwaved the jar of degreaser until it was steaming (about 2 minutes). It worked way, way better- it removed all the grease - no residue left. The chain came out sparkling, like it was brand new. Be sure you do this in a ventilated area, however. IIRC at least one of the chain manufacturers at one point advised against using citrus based and similar acidic cleaners on chains. If this is still so I would think heating it up would make it more reactive and create more of a potential problem. Me, using a coat hanger I just dip the chain into the fuel tank of the neighbors's motorhome, it comes out clean and no icky residue to dispose of. ;-) Marcus |
#6
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Yet another chain cleaning tip
Gary Smiley wrote:
Usually I remove the chain (using the removable link) and shake the chain in a jar of orange degreaser. Today I microwaved the jar of degreaser until it was steaming (about 2 minutes). It worked way, way better- it removed all the grease - no residue left. The chain came out sparkling, like it was brand new. Be sure you do this in a ventilated area, however. Is this the same microwave you use to cook food? \\paul -- Paul M. Hobson Georgia Institute of Technology ..:change the f to ph to reply:. |
#7
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Yet another chain cleaning tip
On Oct 16, 12:46 pm, Marcus Coles wrote: Me, using a coat hanger I just dip the chain into the fuel tank of the neighbors's motorhome, ---------- in all seriousness... kerosene is great; leaves a slight oily film that is ok with most lubricants. I suppose you could use th dirty kerosene in your neighbor's motorhome heater. I've had great luck with john deere chain lube made for farm equip as it is designed to dry and not pick up dust and chaff.... d |
#8
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Yet another chain cleaning tip
Just on a slightly tangential issue. Wouldn't it be better to stop the grit
getting onto the chain in the first place. I was thinking about this the other day. I have a bike with metal mudguards front and rear. Occasionally i notice a pebble rattling up the front guard and getting thrown out the front. It made me think that whatever smaller grit that doesn't go out the front must get thrown off below the lower end and the chain is the first thing in line to collect it. Maybe I'll attach a flap on the front guard and test the theory with some double sided tape. See how much grit I can collect in a week. I can't really see where else the grit can come from the rear wheel has a fairly close fitting full length guard, but some could come from the rear wheel I suppose. Regards Wilfred "Marcus Coles" wrote in message ... Gary Smiley wrote: Usually I remove the chain (using the removable link) and shake the chain in a jar of orange degreaser. Today I microwaved the jar of degreaser until it was steaming (about 2 minutes). It worked way, way better- it removed all the grease - no residue left. The chain came out sparkling, like it was brand new. Be sure you do this in a ventilated area, however. IIRC at least one of the chain manufacturers at one point advised against using citrus based and similar acidic cleaners on chains. If this is still so I would think heating it up would make it more reactive and create more of a potential problem. Me, using a coat hanger I just dip the chain into the fuel tank of the neighbors's motorhome, it comes out clean and no icky residue to dispose of. ;-) Marcus |
#9
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Yet another chain cleaning tip
Gary Smiley wrote:
Usually I remove the chain (using the removable link) and shake the chain in a jar of orange degreaser. Today I microwaved the jar of degreaser until it was steaming (about 2 minutes). It worked way, way better- it removed all the grease - no residue left. The chain came out sparkling, like it was brand new. Be sure you do this in a ventilated area, however. Rather than fumigating my microwave, I just heat up some water (in the microwave) to near boiling, then mix 50/50 with my favorite degreaser. Hot solvent of any sort definitely works better than cold solvent - especially in winter when my shop and the degreaser stored in it are around 45 degrees F. Don't try it with flammables, though - that could really "clean you clock". Mark J. |
#10
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Yet another chain cleaning tip
Wilfred Kazoks wrote:
Just on a slightly tangential issue. Wouldn't it be better to stop the grit getting onto the chain in the first place. I was thinking about this the other day. I have a bike with metal mudguards front and rear. Occasionally i notice a pebble rattling up the front guard and getting thrown out the front. It made me think that whatever smaller grit that doesn't go out the front must get thrown off below the lower end and the chain is the first thing in line to collect it. Maybe I'll attach a flap on the front guard and test the theory with some double sided tape. See how much grit I can collect in a week. If you ride in the rain with that extra flap, you'll learn that the front flap prevents rain from washing the lube off the chain. It probably does the same for grit. -- Dave dvt at psu dot edu |
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