Originally Posted by
Racing Dan
Im not so sure wax isn't also picking up dirt. Testing squirt on a glass plate to see what its like, it dries to consistency very similar to what new chains come packed with (!) - A soft waxy substance that will easily take a finger print and hold on to random "dirt" I could find in my apartment (ground coffee). Agitating with a finger, its readily absorbed into the wax. Im betting, after several applications and several hundred miles a wax lubed chain will be full of dirty wax, just like a chain with factory grease*.
It depends on the formulation and the wax. Waxes come in a range of hardnesses from Vaseline (a soft wax) to hard candle wax to, well, asphalt. If you every cross country skied on wax base skis, you would understand that better. Wax for 0°F is super hard while waxes for 35°F are super sticky. Klister is even softer. The formulation of different wax lubricants depends the wax used. The wax for Squirt is a very soft wax while Clean Ride uses a much harder wax.
*why is factory lube always referred to as "grease". Im betting it actually is wax. At least there is a video on YT showing how chains are lube at the factory. Looks like a bath of hot wax to my eyes.
It is, and I’ve mentioned that before numerous times. But people, generally, have little understanding of chemistry and call things by various incorrect names all the time. Don’t get me started on the difference between “clear” and “colorless” or “scale” and “balance”! I can hear Dr. Salzman every time someone uses those terms incorrectly.
And I just love ads at gas stations for “pure gasoline”!