Panza

I'm tired of constantly cleaning my drive train I'm going to try waxing my chain. I'll be treating my drivetrain today, excitedly. I've heard that 100% wax isn't the best concoction for your chain.

So what is a good ratio?

I have parafin wax (white candles) and a tub of lamp oil. is a 1:1 ratio a good start? Or how do you tell when your mix is good.

davidad

Lamp oil is paraffin based. Some lube oils for your car are paraffin based.

hhnngg1

There's a good youtube video on waxing that you may have watched that recommends 1:1.

I actually bought the paraffin oil, but I have yet to try it since I've been happy with how the straight up paraffin has been working for me, but I'll probably mess with it in the future just for kicks.

The straight paraffin looks flaky and has visible small chips on the chain before you start riding, but after about 20 mins of riding, it seems to all fall off and the chain looks pristine.

gregf83 

The recommended formula for the fastest chain is: 1lb of household paraffin wax, 5g of pure PTFE (Teflon) powder, and 1g of pure molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). (Friction Facts publishes UltraFast chain lube formula - BikeRadar)
I'm more interested in clean than fast so just use plain paraffin and it seems to work well. I started waxing last week and have been pleased with the results. I keep three chains waxed and put on a new chain every week (about 440km). Bought a used crockpot ($2) to melt the wax. Once the chains are cleaned initially, waxing is trivially simple.

kingston 

This is what I use.

Friction Facts publishes UltraFast chain lube formula

Panza

Wow. I never even knew the teflon powder and MoS2 were a thing.

Yeah, I searched around forever at Walmart to realize Lamp Oil, Parafin Oil, and Kersone are all the same thing.

Surprised just plain wax works for so many.

pdlamb

No proprietary formula here, I just add a couple dollops of motor oil to the pound of paraffin. (Is "dollop" metric or English?)

trailangel

Don't forget to do you legs while you are at it.

AnkleWork

Make sure to add a few drops of holy water.

VAMmobammo

Hi all.

I just did my first chain hot dip wax last night, cooled it off, and then tried it on the trainer.

I used a big cheap candle and a bottle of Diggers brand paraffin oil from my local hardware store here in Australia.

I put a large chunk of the candle in, and a good dollop of paraffin oil, approximately 2:1 ratio.

At first, the chain had a lot of chain succ, but after a quick spin on the trainer I see absolutely no chain succ at all. I'm not convinced that adding the paraffin oil was a great idea, it also seems quite sticky which will attract dust surely.

How are people going with only candle wax? When people say they're using paraffin wax, are you just buying normal candles and assuming that they are paraffin? Or are your candles specifically labelled as paraffin?

Thanks

DrIsotope

I buy bulk paraffin for candlemaking, it comes in a 3lb bag of little "nibs," which melt very quickly in the Crock Pot. I also use the UltraFast formula with PTFE powder and molybdenum disulfide. I did a few chains (I rotate 2 chains in/out of service) with just straight paraffin, and it works well enough-- the drivetrain is just a good bit quieter with the PTFE and molybdenum. I haven't noticed it lasting any longer between dips with the additives.

I don't know how much I would trust going with candles, as it could be tough to tell if the candle is paraffin, soy, or beeswax.

Bill Kapaun

https://www.midwayusa.com/bullet-lubes/br?cid=8659

Retro Grouch 

I thought there was a secret incantation that goes with that process.

AnkleWork

There is. (It's secret!)

canklecat

Any problems with chain tattoos from the moly? One reason I'm liking the paraffin is no more chain tats on my shins. I've used moly before with airguns (no dieseling risk with spring piston airguns if the dry moly gets into the compression chamber). And moly grease on gardening and landscaping equipment. But it tends to stain everything it touches.

So far I'm impressed with the plain Gulf wax on the errand bike chain. I might try the PTFE powder.

DrIsotope

Not at all. There's so little moly in the mix (at least in my formula) that running my fingers back and forth across the chain or rings only gets a couple of black flecks which wipe off without issue. But as I also said, I don't even know if the moly is doing anything-- the PTFE I could tell was in there from moment one. I highly recommend adding the teflon.

scott967

I use the "Molten Speed Wax" which is just the ultrafast formula pre-made. Never though of using paraffin oil. Not sure I see the point.

scott s.
.

Rollfast

They aren't. The compound commonly called TEFLON is banned in the US (PTFE?)


I just use something like Chevron or Texaco 10W-40.

canklecat

The health effects of PFOA are being discussed and cussed among medical researchers.

As far as I can recall, PTFE is not considered to be in the same class or to pose the same health risk. There are warnings about overheated "Teflon" coated cookware. PTFE is considered non-toxic and stable below 500F or so.

drlogik 

Plain paraffin will work fine. If you want to go all out though, do as previously suggested and add fine PTFE (Teflon) powder and molybdenum to the wax. Go to the grocery store and buy a brick of "Gulf Wax". It will be in the canning section. That's straight paraffin wax. PTFE and molybdenum powder can be found on eBay and elsewhere.

I wouldn't add any oils to the wax. That defeats the purpose of using paraffin as a dry lube.

MarcusT

I used the 1:1 ratio as put out in the youtube video and once, I finish this batch, I'll try something else. As mentioned above, it collects grime like regular oil. The wax still stays solid even after putting in hot water, so I apply it to the chain by hand, then take a heat gun to it to melt it in. On long tours, I bring one of those torch lighters to apply.

Rollfast

It was my understanding that neither are that groovy and I am not all that hot on compounds based on fluorides. Burn it, have fun.

DrIsotope

From the PTFE MSDS:

4.1 Classification of substance or mixture
As the material is an inert polymer thus no risk expected for the human health and environment in the normal use
of the product. This assessment is based on information available for the components contained in the material.

DSD Classification : Not hazardous
DPD Classification: Not a hazardous substance or preparation

Use
Eye Effects
No effect are expected during normal use. Eye contact with thermally decomposed products causes pain, redness,
tearing, irritation, burns and corneal abrasion.

Inhalation Effects
No effects expected during normal use. Inhalation of thermally decomposed products can cause headache, cough, chills and fever called polymer fume fever (symptoms are flu like condition with fever, chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, cough, muscle aches etc).

Skin Effects
No effects are expected during normal use.

Ingestion / Oral Effects
No effects are expected during normal use. Skin contact with thermally decomposed products can cause redness,
itching, irritation, burns.

PTFE powder will become thermally decomposed if exposed to temperatures in excess of 400ºF. So don't try to light it on fire, and it will remain an inert polymer.

Mo06

I tried this a few weeks ago.

I removed the chain, cleaned it thoroughly by immersing in white spirit and giving it a good scrub with an old toothbrush.

After that, I melted two ordinary white candles in an aluminium tray, immersed the chain for a while, and removed it.

I didn't use parafin oil as I have no idea where I could buy it here.

So far, so good. The chain was VERY dirty; since the wax treatment it has stayed pretty clean, and I've covered about 370 km on the bike, all in pretty dry, hot conditions.

It's now looking fine but feels a tad dry to the touch, and I'm wondering low long others leave it before repeating the process (bit of a pain as I have to extract a rivet).

Anyone here tried waxing the chain it situ ?

By the way, I got the idea from the Youtube video by 'Oz Cycle'.

fietsbob

I understood, a double boiler melted the wax, chain gets coated with liquid wax, which re solidifies at room temperature

that is your lube.., the wax..


But you have to take the chain off and thoroughly clean it first, It cannot be done on the bike..