41
votes
Accepted
What are the advantages of using paraffin wax vs wet lube for bike chain lubrication?
I have been using paraffin wax this year on my "fast" road bike as a bit of an experiment. This was using the hot wax approach, where paraffin wax was melted (in a slow cooker) and a clean ...
- 30.7k
14
votes
Accepted
Does dry dust and dirt stick worse to bees wax or WD40?
My name is Criggie and I'm a Waxxing addict.
Oil is quick and easy to put on - you can rejuvenate a chain in 15 seconds. Downside, it goes black with road dirt over time.
By comparison wax is a much ...
- 129k
10
votes
Accepted
(How) should I wax my cassette along with my chains?
The point of waxing is not to rustproof but to lubricate the chain's internals where they articulate. The rest of the wax flakes off quickly. So this wouldn't have the desired effect.
- 30.4k
9
votes
What is the salient compromise that waxing a chain offers compared to lubing a chain? (Was: what's the sales pitch for waxing chains?)
Both drip wax and molten wax have been shown to be both low-wear for the chain and low-friction. This can potentially reduce wear on your whole drivetrain. Wax sets as a solid, so contaminants are ...
- 35.2k
8
votes
Ultrasonic cleaner advice, for cleaning chains before waxing
Some notes from my experience:
If you are in a 220-240 volt country avoid the cheap Chinese cleaners, they are designed for 110 volts and remove a rectification diode as a hack to make it work on ...
- 81
8
votes
Ultrasonic cleaner advice, for cleaning chains before waxing
Some models have multiple frequencies. Most operate between 28 kHz and 120 kHz. Depending on the frequency, the size of the bubbles that form on the surface of the object changes. Lower frequency ...
8
votes
Strategy for waxing (reinstaling) 12 speed chains
There are, in fact, reusable 12s quick links. The Wipperman Connex 12s link just became available. It should be reusable for the entire life of the chain, as it doesn't snap closed. It relies on the ...
- 35.2k
8
votes
Is a stiff chain after hot wax application a sign of a correct wax application?
It's hard to be sure what's wrong without being there. My guess is that the chain wasn't completely clean.
Indicators that the wax adhered properly
When I melt wax my chain with one of the high-...
- 35.2k
7
votes
When using a ptfe & paraffin waxed chain, does the casette require any lube?
I'm going to give chain waxing with PTFE and paraffin a shot as I'm sick of filthy dirty hands when I get a puncture.
Carry a pair of disposable nitrile gloves if this is your only reason for waxing. ...
- 30.7k
7
votes
Accepted
I went riding almost immediately after applying Squirt Lube (wax-based) on a brand new chain, should I degrease my chain and reapply?
Zero Friction Cycling has some detailed tests on various lubricants. The site owner, Adam Kerin, is unfortunately not a great writer and is a bit long-winded. However, he has in-depth discussion on ...
- 35.2k
7
votes
I went riding almost immediately after applying Squirt Lube (wax-based) on a brand new chain, should I degrease my chain and reapply?
Just re-apply it and let it dry. Stripping the old lube is done to get oils off that will keep the wax lube from bonding, but that shouldn't be a problem now.
- 87k
7
votes
Ultrasonic cleaner advice, for cleaning chains before waxing
The heating of the chain in an ultrasonic is critical to removing the wax if that is the method you use for protecting the chain.
I also wax all of my chains as I detest the oily residue that ...
- 709
7
votes
What are the advantages of using paraffin wax vs wet lube for bike chain lubrication?
By my reading, the other answers don't appear to discuss why paraffin wax should be better than standard drip lubricants.
By way of background, Wikipedia defines waxes as organic compounds (i.e. ...
- 35.2k
6
votes
What are the advantages of using paraffin wax vs wet lube for bike chain lubrication?
Generally wax based lubes (here, I’m not talking about dipping your chain in hot paraffin wax, but of liquid lubes with wax in them) are best in dry conditions. “Wet” lubes are best in wet conditions....
- 275
6
votes
Accepted
Chain Falling Apart
I believe your chain is counterfeit. The other answer and the various comments thoroughly debunk the heating claim, so I won't elaborate on that here.
Firstly, as I mentioned in my comment under your ...
- 16.9k
6
votes
Accepted
How to immerse wax a chain?
There are actually two parts to the answer: thoroughly degreasing the chain, and actually waxing it. It feels like the first part is harder, at least cognitively.
Degreasing
It's considered best ...
- 35.2k
6
votes
What is the salient compromise that waxing a chain offers compared to lubing a chain? (Was: what's the sales pitch for waxing chains?)
The question should probably be reformulated, as it is it's clearly opinion based.
The main advantages are:
solid lubrication, so less dirt retention/cleaner chain to the touch
better chain longevity ...
- 22.7k
5
votes
Does dry dust and dirt stick worse to bees wax or WD40?
Dust will accumulate on anything. Bees' wax collects less than chain lubes.
Considering the time investment and process to wax your chain properly (as far as I know it involves removing the chain and ...
- 705
5
votes
How to immerse wax a chain?
I hot wax my chains and the procedure I use is pretty simple. I don't know if it's optimal but here's what I do:
Required items:
Degreaser, regular paraffin wax from grocery store, waste rag or paper ...
- 193
5
votes
Accepted
Chain noisy after immersive wax
Sounds like you're doing everything right.
I wax and one of my bikes has HG54 10 speed chain. Your description matches my method with only minor variations.
I use a garage hot air gun to dry the ...
- 129k
5
votes
What are the advantages of using paraffin wax vs wet lube for bike chain lubrication?
My answer will be nowhere near the quality of the answer above. If unscientific observation from an old duffer has any value, read on. In the early sixties we paraffin waxed our trail motorcycle ...
- 99
5
votes
Ultrasonic cleaner advice, for cleaning chains before waxing
I just noticed that the OP was asking about the cleaning process for re-waxing a chain, not for cleaning a new or previously wet-lubed chain. If using hard paraffin wax with minimal oil content, I ...
- 35.2k
5
votes
(How) should I wax my cassette along with my chains?
So, despite what the question implies, I went ahead and waxed my old cassette with the chains, with mixed results.
I gave the cassette a soak in mineral spirits, followed by denatured spirits and ...
- 1,100
4
votes
How exactly wipe off excess wax based lubricant after application?
When lubricating a chain, you want the lubricant to penetrate inside it as this is where wear happens. Leaving lubricant outside only attracts dirt, dust and contaminants which is counter-productive. ...
- 4,169
4
votes
Accepted
Wax lubricant - what components need wax applied to them, and what is the recommended re-application procedure?
The wax needs to be applied to the chain and specifically its rollers/pins. Nothing else needs waxing on your bike. (ball bearings need grease or oil, not wax)
The reapplication process is to ...
- 129k
4
votes
When using a ptfe & paraffin waxed chain, does the casette require any lube?
No oil is necessary. Most sprockets are plated or coated enough to avoid rust. If you put oil on them you will be defeating the purpose.
I use exclusively waxed chains and no other lube.
- 3,456
4
votes
How to immerse wax a chain?
I personally am a bit lackadaisical about the process, and I have yet to see a negative outcome. I wax just the chains, not the quick links, not the cassette and definitely not the freewheel. I find ...
- 1,100
4
votes
Chain Falling Apart
This website presents a calculator for linear thermal expansion. I am not an engineer or physicist, so I am going off whatever high school physics I retained. Hence, please comment if my calculations ...
- 35.2k
3
votes
Accepted
Is it required to clean a chain when changing the kind of wax used for lubrication?
My understanding is as follows. However, note that my practical experience is limited to Silca's drip and molten waxes.
It's best to clean the chain, but you should be able to just clean it in boiling ...
- 35.2k
3
votes
How to immerse wax a chain?
Gosh, I've been waxing chains since 1977, making most of the mistakes warned against here except for starting a fire. I have learned that a very clean chain is essential for BEST results, but VERY ...
- 31
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible