Immersive waxing / it should be more popular
08-29-22, 10:11 AM
#326
Should Be More Popular
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08-29-22, 10:15 AM
#327
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08-29-22, 10:45 AM
#328
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08-29-22, 11:05 AM
#329
Should Be More Popular
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08-29-22, 11:26 AM
#330
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08-29-22, 02:16 PM
#331
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08-29-22, 02:33 PM
#332
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So I recently waxed chains on two of my bikes. One was a dumb idea, because I ride it in the rain, and it rained the first ride after I waxed it. Had to use wet wax after the ride, the rain stripped most of the wax off. I will not be re waxing the chain on that bike.
The second bike I do not nor will I ever ride in the rain. I followed strict chain cleaning instructions before waxing. The cleaning included multiple baths in mineral spirits plus a 24 hour soak. I then soaked the chain in distilled alcohol, wiped clean and hung to dry before waxing. I also cleaned my cassette, chain rings and pulleys in a similiar fashion.
The first 100 miles the drive train was relatively quiet and the chain stayed clean. I’m now shy of 300 miles chain is loud and somehow has started to get dirty.
I’m gunna take the chain off when I get home, throw it in boiling water, and then try waxing again. But as of this moment not that impressed. Before this I used rock and roll gold standard and would lube all my bikes once a week, Would take a matter of about 10 mins for 3 bikes.
I used a croc pot and bars of paraffin wax.
The second bike I do not nor will I ever ride in the rain. I followed strict chain cleaning instructions before waxing. The cleaning included multiple baths in mineral spirits plus a 24 hour soak. I then soaked the chain in distilled alcohol, wiped clean and hung to dry before waxing. I also cleaned my cassette, chain rings and pulleys in a similiar fashion.
The first 100 miles the drive train was relatively quiet and the chain stayed clean. I’m now shy of 300 miles chain is loud and somehow has started to get dirty.
I’m gunna take the chain off when I get home, throw it in boiling water, and then try waxing again. But as of this moment not that impressed. Before this I used rock and roll gold standard and would lube all my bikes once a week, Would take a matter of about 10 mins for 3 bikes.
I used a croc pot and bars of paraffin wax.
Having said that, 300 miles is about what you would expect, but it sounds like it got noisy/depleted before then. I find that happens if I use mineral spirits.
08-29-22, 05:24 PM
#333
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I waxed my chain, sprayed it with a wax-based lube, and soaked it in oil. I should gain about ten watts, since each of these methods is supposed to be worth a few watts' efficiency boost. That is about a ten-percent increase in power for me. I only wish there were more miracle lubes ..... I figure if I go with ceramic bearings in the derailleur and BB I will have to pedal backwards to stand still.
On top of that I have gained about three minutes each day, because each method is so time-saving .... plus significantly lowered by maintenance costs to the point were stores are now sending me checks.
On top of that I have gained about three minutes each day, because each method is so time-saving .... plus significantly lowered by maintenance costs to the point were stores are now sending me checks.
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08-29-22, 06:33 PM
#334
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I waxed my chain, sprayed it with a wax-based lube, and soaked it in oil. I should gain about ten watts, since each of these methods is supposed to be worth a few watts' efficiency boost. That is about a ten-percent increase in power for me. I only wish there were more miracle lubes ..... I figure if I go with ceramic bearings in the derailleur and BB I will have to pedal backwards to stand still.
On top of that I have gained about three minutes each day, because each method is so time-saving .... plus significantly lowered by maintenance costs to the point were stores are now sending me checks.
On top of that I have gained about three minutes each day, because each method is so time-saving .... plus significantly lowered by maintenance costs to the point were stores are now sending me checks.
08-29-22, 11:17 PM
#335
should be more popular
Thread Starter
Why do the anti-waxers keep hanging around here with their amazing humour derailing the conversation instead of leaving those who are interested to their topical exchange?
Don't you have drivetrains to degrease?
Don't you have drivetrains to degrease?
08-29-22, 11:57 PM
#336
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08-30-22, 03:41 AM
#338
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I believe that when a group of people are one of the topics of the OP, they are allowed to participate.
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08-30-22, 06:18 AM
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As long as the carvinal's in town, I'll be coming back to listen to the barkers. 
Last edited by seypat; 08-30-22 at 06:21 AM.
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08-30-22, 06:44 AM
#340
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08-30-22, 06:56 AM
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08-30-22, 07:10 AM
#342
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Yes, and cotton candy and the Tilt A Whirl. Since your post had a musical accompaniment, here's something related. Most every Ramones song that's in rotation on the various musical outlets makes me think of walking on the midway at a carnival/fair. Pet Cemetary being the exception. Strange.
I was lucky enough to see the Ramones twice in the 1980's. They were LOUD.
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08-30-22, 07:10 AM
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It's the nature of social media for this to happen, especially when the OP is evangelical in their delivery. It's not that people are "anti-wax", it's more the "if you don't do what I do you then something is wrong with you" that gets people stirred up.
There is a certain older man who rides a certain kind of machine and he can't help himself from telling us how foolish we are for not riding the same kind of machine. He gets mocked and he thinks we are against the machine, we're really not. It's his insistence that we are all wrong and only he knows.
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08-30-22, 07:32 AM
#344
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Ahhhh .... chain-waxing for recumbents .... the devil's own favorite thread topic.
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08-30-22, 07:38 AM
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Last edited by seypat; 08-30-22 at 07:47 AM.
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08-30-22, 08:44 AM
#346
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I got tired of waiting for the wax to melt in my crockpot yesterday so I took the stoneware out of it and put it in the microwave for 5 minutes on high. It melted the wax, cracked the stoneware, and smoked out the rec hall. In the market for a new crock today haha. At least they didn't ban me from the rec hall.
08-30-22, 07:47 PM
#348
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I collected all the used solvents and took it to my city's chemical waste disposal. They collect paint, solvents, cleaners, all of that stuff. I got a couple of 1 gallon containers with lids from home depot and put the clean stuff in one, the old stuff in the other and once I got all my chains done, recycled the waste with the city.
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09-01-22, 10:30 PM
#349
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I've tried immersive waxing, but it burned like hell, especially the sensitive parts. And it's not just the heat, it's tearing it off after it hardens that really hurts. But it's worth it when i ride without a shirt, or any clothes for that matter - very slick and aerodynamic.
Last edited by Camilo; 09-01-22 at 10:34 PM.
09-02-22, 12:32 AM
#350
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I've tried immersive waxing, but it burned like hell, especially the sensitive parts. And it's not just the heat, it's tearing it off after it hardens that really hurts. But it's worth it when i ride without a shirt, or any clothes for that matter - very slick and aerodynamic.
Although I am sure others will chime in to remind you that it would have been all good if you had just added some PTFE.
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