Its probably pretty easy to substitute something else for the wax heater. While it is heating up, you should wire your chain and links so they will dip in the wax easily. Nevertheless, if your bike is not heavily used, it may not be necessary to get a specific bike chain lube to apply. Keep reading below for a guide on how to lubricate your bike chain. You can also add a small squirt to the derailleur and brake calipers. Additionally, the solvents in these types of lubricants act as degreasers, stripping away any lubricant placed on the chain by the manufacturer and effectively increasing the amount of wear on your chain. to really solve your problem: option 1. open it and use a proper grease. The LIVESTRONG Foundation and LIVESTRONG.COM do not endorse See how clean and shiny the chain is? We have a Kickstarter campaign that is ending shortly which is selling an enhanced paraffin to increase the lubricity and durability. If you'll notice those candles don't go up in a fiery ball of death and destruction every time they are lit. Whatever you do, do not use motor oil. 3. Dry lubes are for the driest conditions and cleanest chains. It’s cheap, safe, and works great. Then I put the two halves of the Power-link on the wire and give it a couple of twists to hold it all together as shown. Shift through all of the gears to spread the lubricant evenly through the drivetrain. March 2013 issue of VeloNews reports on tests by http://www.friction-facts.com/ of various bike chain lubes, paraffin won hands down. Hook the wire over the edge of the wax container so it'll be easy to grab when you retrieve it. You want the chain to get nice and warm, and to expand to allow the paraffin to penetrate. How to Lubricate Spinning Bikes. So, really you could think of paraffin as nothing more than solid grease. This is because it washes away rather easily, leaving your bike chain exposed. Very nice and detailed, I am heading to the store to get parafin now. Jones suggests: “First, use less oil as you lubricate. His work has appeared in "The Journal-Standard," SKNVibes and trackalerts. Did you make this project? if your model is common, buy a replacement for $15. It can also be used to lubricate moving parts but temporarily. OK, pull the chain out of the wax and drop it in your pan lined with paper towels. block of Gulf paraffin wax for $4. Lower the chain into the wax container until it's fully submerged. https://www.livestrong.com/article/403713-what-type-of-oil-for-my-bicycle-chain Can I use 3-IN-ONE to lubricate my bicycle chain? A pan (lined with paper towels) to receive the freshly waxed chain for cool-down. Advantage of this method is that it’s the fastest, with the least amount of dirt spread around, so those who favour time saving to chain life can use it. It’s always best to clean your chain before applying bicycle chain lube. You will be using it as a lubricant rather than washing with it, however, you still should avoid the brakes and brake pads. Lube is mainly affected by weather patterns. Choosing a brand of chain cleaner is a personal choice and, I often will use Maxima chain cleaner on my bikes. For some, this means re-applying lube every day, while for others, it may be once a month or more. 7 years ago 4.4. As for the lubrication itself, it probably works exactly the same way grease does. Once the chain is reasonably clean, you can re … You want a heater that is specifically designed for heating wax. Bicycle mechanic Sheldon Brown recommends using this type of oil after you mix it with a volatile solvent to thin it. I use chain oil (Chain-L Number 5) and it sucks. have to relube every 4 weeks or so. Share it with us! used as a substitute for professional medical advice, on Introduction, AWESOME! Are the forces in a bike chain not high enough to move the wax? Cooking oil is not designed to lubricate metal, and isn't going to do a very good job at keeping your bike lubricated. on Introduction. You want to maximize the use and the life of your lube since it al… Copyright Policy Follow standard guidelines for chain length. [1] X Research source You can find bike lubes of all kinds online or at your local bike shop. I just failed at using the reply button. A can to hold the wax. I show a plastic Gatorade container in these pictures. Dry the chain: Use a clean, dry rag to dry your chain well before you apply chain lube. You can use the rag to scrape crud off of the derailleur pulley wheels and chainrings. That's because the flash point (the temperature at which it will spontaneously ignite) is pretty high - about 390 degrees F for pure paraffin, and upwards of 480 degrees F for paraffin with additives. on Introduction. As the metal pushes against the paraffin, a thin layer should liquify and lubricate the movement. Reply Edible oils such as Olive oil, Sunflower oil, or other cooking oils can be used as a short-term fix to lubricate your bike chain and are certainly better than not using any oil at all. Another great product to use would be WD-40. This is pretty obvious. Our Bicycle Commuting Handbook is Now Just $4.99 2. Most of the bike chain lubricants are made from petroleum, but not all of them are. On the low heat setting, the crock pot stays below 200 deg.F and never burns the wax. Don’t soak a chain in lube. The wax and heater are hot, so be careful. advertisements are served by third party advertising companies. Reply Reply on Introduction, Great article! (When the chain cools, it actually feels "stiff".) 12 years ago Wax lube works best in very clean environments, as it has a tendency to pick up dirt and, I assume, road salt, making the problem worse. on Introduction. Chain lube use is a highly debated topic among mountain bikers because everyone thinks their way is the best. Probably lots of other suggestions in other projects involving wax on Instructables. Grease may not be the best idea in cold places while light lube may not work best in a hot area. 4. Proper lubrication keeps your chain turning smoothly. does the chain need to be particularly clean before you dip it (for the first time as opposed to the re-waxing) or would the wax clean the chain as well? Of course, using a double boiler is super duper safe, so it's never a bad idea. The part of the comment about alternate melting of wax was for boxofish. great idea! Cooking oil for my bike chain. Note: Always use a cleaner and lubricant designed for bike drivetrains. You don't really want the lube anywhere but the chain and any overspray can hit the brake rotors. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS. A lubricating wax or oil would do the magic. I use an SRAM "Power-Link", pictured. They were trying to create solvents and degreasers that would prevent rust. These bikes can provide any exercise enthusiast with a low impact cardiovascular workout that will help him stay fit and trim. If you are properly set up, you can use paraffin wax to lubricate your bike chain. One lb. The name stands for “water displacement” with the 40 referencing the number of attempts it took to create. But it's messier. See the picture. I'm not trying to be critical here, I'd just like to understand this. You can balance it against the frame of the bike for stability. If the candles are beeswax, no.. 5 years ago So yeah, don't set it in a pan on the stove set to "high" and forget about it, but you'll be fine with the same setup set to "low" or even medium if you are careful. Using an old toothbrush to clean the chain worked perfectly. Use a light, specially-formulated bike lubricant and not any old junk that you find in your garage. After doing this, can you re-use the wax for another chain (or the same chain, weeks later)? It actually forms a shell around the moving parts, protecting against contaminants. Paraffin should work exactly the same way. The Gator container is just the right size, but it should be metal. if it does, how would you clean it? Different types of bike chain oil are suitable for different weather and riding conditions – find out which one you need! Different weather cycles will call the various lubricating mechanisms especially if you ride in extreme weather. Hold the nose of your lube dropper against the chain with your left hand. This is how the chain grease works already - it does not slide back in after being pushed out because the grease is semi-solid, not a true liquid. REI does not recommend using WD-40 on your bike (it is a cleaner but not a lubricant. diagnosis or treatment. Alternatively, baby wipes work pretty well, too. It is the eco-friendly version of bike chain lubes. Don't use a spray! I have a roll of ceiling-grid wire, available at almost any hardware or home-improvement store, good for a thousand uses. This type of chain lube is non-toxic and is, therefore, a far better option for the environment. 6. This will keep the temperature at 100 degrees Centigrade, which is fine. If you typically ride in very rainy or wet conditions, a thick oil or grease like that used on motorcycle chains is more appropriate to your purposes. (I am not affiliated with SRAM in any way, I just think they make decent products. Hold the lubricant bottle above the top middle pin of the chain and gently squeeze a thin steady stream of lubricant onto the chain while you are simultaneously spinning your pedals to rotate the chain. It's almost magical. My intuition and experience explain it to me this way. Railroad Rail Lantern / Sign Stand Split With Axe. This is a picture of me "dipping" my chain at my workbench. Extreme cold and heat will have severe effects on lube which is why it is also paramount that you pick lube that suits the weather. Good question. Keeping your bike chain clean and lubed is the best way to extend the life of your drivetrain, keep your bike shifting smoothly, and save money in the long run. Give it a visit!Happy riding! Our WD-40 Bike® Dry Lube is perfect for bike chains in dry conditions. The mixture will better penetrate chain bearings, and the solvent will evaporate to leave the thick chain grease. I don't know if there are other manufacturers who make this kind of thing, but I can say I've used these devices for years without trouble. The frequency at which chain lube should be re-applied is like any other component’s maintenance interval: it depends on how often you ride, in what conditions, the type of lube used, and your attention to chain care between re-lubing. If you're not going to use a paraffin heater, you can use a double-boiler on a hot plate. The main problem with thick lubricants, however, is that they pick up more dirt as you ride, which can grind your gears down over time if you do not regularly change the oil. I bought a mini crock-pot from Wal-Mart for $9 and a 1 lb. Please check it out, we hope to be selling product in stores soon too! I use the short piece of wire and thread it through the end links in the chain, then I find the link one side of the center, and thread it again through that. )Power-Links are very easy to use once you understand the techniques of linking and unlinking them. Can I Use Silicone Spray on My Bike Chain? The 3-IN-One Multipurpose Oil was created in 1894, for use on bicycle chains, and the formula was bought by the WD-40 Company in 1995. It has been specially formulated as a bicycle chain lube for off-roaders who like dry and dusty conditions, protecting against wear and friction damage. The material appearing on LIVESTRONG.COM is for educational use only. Got two chains cleaned up, time to test this method. Check out the video below to see how easy it is to properly maintain your chain. A short length of easily worked wire. If you have local bike shops, speak with as many mechanics as you can on the type of chain lubricant that would … Castor oil was commonly used in the automotive industry but was phased off for being too grimy. Once the chain has completed a full revolution, you are done and ready to hit the road again. Those who want to make it more messy, with questionably better effect, can use an old tooth brush with some degreaser as well and rub the chain. , When you pull it out, it cools, and the paraffin gets "packed" in place. Copyright © Lubricate the inner circumference of the chain, on the side that faces the sprockets along the top of the lower run of the chain. DIY Composite Layup and Vacuum Bagging - Making a Carbon Fiber RipSurf for Braille Skateboarding. Thank you, great post! You can reapply to your clean chain and cassette, whilst spinning the wheels again. Thanks for the Instructable, I'm trying it on my rides. Dirt and road grime do not stick to the wax as you ride, and as long as the conditions remain dry the wax can last on the chain for months. Choose a wet lube if you’ll be biking in wet weather. By: Jaimie Zinski . You can find other chain lube options and alternatives that are made from biodegradable vegetable oil instead. Light oils are good at penetrating the bushings of chains to minimize the amount of wear that occurs between the links. Though it is more of a challenge to apply, melted wax very effectively penetrates the chain and then dries in place. Most bike cables are made of steel and require lubing. I'd welcome comments from people who know their lubrication engineering who could enlighten me. The main advantages of the method I use (dipping the chain in hot wax) is that (once you're set up) it's fast, it's easy, and it produces a chain that neither picks up dirt nor produces greasy "tattoo" marks on you or your clothes. Go to a mechanic if you're unsure. WD-40 was created in 1953 by a small company called Rocket Chemical Comapny. 6 years ago Apply a very small drop of lube to each individual roller (put the lube on the part of the chain that’s closer to the ground to prevent dripping lubricant on your bike frame). As your bicycle chain turns around the gear sprockets and pedal cranks, it creates friction. The first thing you have to do is set up your bike chain so you can easily remove it from your bike. Cooking oil is a standard lubricant in the home that is ideal for keeping away rust from metal surfaces. Dry and wet are pretty much universal terms and most chain lubricant manufacturers will offer these two variants as a minimum. Add lube to your chain : Choose a bike lubricant that’s right for the conditions. Cables. Sometimes you’ll hear that WD-40 is only for removing water and keeping things rust-fre… It will start to turn brown well before it gets dangerous (about 260 degrees F), so keep it under that and you'll be fine. Just ask.) Altair - a Tripod Mounted Refracting Telescope. any of the products or services that are advertised on the web site. and Phil Wood Tenacious Oil and Tri-Flow are popular light oils among cyclists. on Introduction. The main advantages of the method I use (dipping the chain in hot wax) is that (once you're set up) it's fast, it's easy, and it produces a chain that neither picks up dirt nor produces greasy "tattoo" marks on you or your clothes. And the best part is, you can do it all at home with the right supplies and some basic knowledge. It takes around 30 minutes to melt 1lb of wax, and that leaves enough room in the pot for items. For this reason, I find it superior to oil. . 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