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Chain Cleaning

Posted: 03 Jul 2018, 09:36
by Rossgo
So what does everyone use?

Using specific chain cleaner is getting expensive

Ive heard of using Kerosene/ paraffin? What would people recommend if using this stuff. And where to buy?



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Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 03 Jul 2018, 10:12
by Stonesie
Paraffin, I bought a 4L bottle from a petrol station about 8 years ago and am still using it. Pour some into a glass coffee jar and dip the chain brush in that, between uses the muck settles out of it so it lasts for ages before you have to change it. You need something with a lid, it smells a bit.

Also the best chain rags are old towels, cut a strip off and use rubber gloves.

Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 03 Jul 2018, 10:16
by Kwacky
Put the bike on a paddock stand
SD100 cleaner
wash the bike
scrub the chain with soapy water using a chain brush
get an old towel, put some degreaser on it, wipe the chain down
run the chain through a dry and clean part of the towel
lube it

If you're going to use paraffin, then I would use it at the stage where I apply the SDOC. You need to give it a bit of time to start working. You still have to scrub the chain (IMO) to get the grit out.

Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 03 Jul 2018, 11:21
by Rossgo
Im seriously considering Paraffin. Never used it before but heard lots of good stuff and its cheap.

Are there diffrrent types of paraffin, eg if i bought a bottle at B&Q eill different ones do different things or is there only one type?!

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Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 03 Jul 2018, 11:44
by Stonesie
I think paraffin is paraffin. For cleaning a chain it's good stuff if a little messy.

I think shell garages sell it cheaper than B&Q but I think I need to elaborate on the gloves, this stuff eats latex so the white disposable gloves are out, Blue Nitrile are okay and cheap to get from motor factors or online.

£3.96 for a box of 100 here but I'm not sure what they charge for postage.
https://www.justgloves.co.uk/Nitrile-Gl ... ile-Gloves" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 03 Jul 2018, 11:55
by Cav
Never used paraffin but meant to be the best.

I use WD-Chain Cleaner. I tried the Jiz stuff but that doesn't even get dust off!!

Invest in a chain cleaning brush (basically a U-shape brush) as they are super-helpful and I'll get the chain gleaming in 20 minutes

Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 03 Jul 2018, 13:15
by Rossgo
@Stonsie
Ill take a look at those gloves. Thanks for the link. Ill take a look in shell and see if they have paraffin on the shelves

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Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 03 Jul 2018, 13:17
by Rossgo
@Cav

Yep couldnt agree more. I got the knock off Grunge brush or oxford chain brush! Ive had it for years but think its gone walk abouts as i dont know where it is now when i last cleaned the bike a few weeks back. May have to pick up anyother chinese knock off one as they were only a quid lol!

Whats the Jiz stuff???!!

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Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 03 Jul 2018, 13:23
by Cav
Yeah really good brush. I think mine is Green Goblin or something like that but yeah, a knock-off.

The Jiz Chain Cleaner was on special offer at my local dealer.. wish I never got it! Didn't even finish the can in the end as it did nothing to clean anything - I went out and bought another WD40 Chain Cleaner can

Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 03 Jul 2018, 14:04
by D6Nutz
Muc-off degreaser, a chain brush, and elbow grease.

The only reason I use muc-off is it smells like sweets...

Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 03 Jul 2018, 14:52
by Cav
D6Nutz wrote: it smelss lime sweets...
It does what? :D

Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 03 Jul 2018, 15:20
by DaytonAndy
Paraffin for me too. Never had a problem. It's about £7 for a 4 litre bottle in b&q last ten I got some and lasts for ever. Great for getting oil splatter off wheels too (y)

Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 03 Jul 2018, 17:24
by D6Nutz
Cav wrote:
D6Nutz wrote: it smelss lime sweets...
It does what? :D
A better job that my autocorrect by the look of it..

Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 04 Jul 2018, 06:23
by Rossgo
D6Nutz wrote:Muc-off degreaser, a chain brush, and elbow grease.

The only reason I use muc-off is it smells like sweets...
Ive used a fair few to and to be fair i seem to go back to Muc Off too due to it smelling lovely! But want to try paraffin due to price!

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Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 04 Jul 2018, 06:25
by Rossgo
DaytonAndy wrote:Paraffin for me too. Never had a problem. It's about £7 for a 4 litre bottle in b&q last ten I got some and lasts for ever. Great for getting oil splatter off wheels too (y)
The saving is there to be taken. I usually use muc off but its bloody expensive! Get a load of it and a spray bottle and then im good to go for ages!!

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Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 04 Jul 2018, 06:26
by Rossgo
@Cav ill stay away from the Jiz stuff then

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Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 15 Mar 2019, 18:46
by chippy
Paraffin is my choice. Effective and cheap. I use it with a grunge brush and it's easy enough to let the crud settle out (in a suitable container used to dip the brush while cleaning) and to decant moderately clear paraffin if you feel like being really parsimonious.

Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 15 Mar 2019, 20:25
by Kwacky
chippy wrote: parsimonious.
Word of the day

Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 16 Mar 2019, 11:00
by Cav
I can say with certainty that I have never come across that word before! I had to google it - nice word, sir!

Re: Chain Cleaning

Posted: 16 Mar 2019, 11:01
by Cav
I found the can of Jiz again when I was cleaning my chain and tried using it with a fresh outlook - it's still shocking. It just about cleans residue of lubricants from the sprocket