Melting wax
#26
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I echo the preference for avoiding teflon due to environmental concerns. My local Goodwill yielded a small crockpot with a lid for next to nothing. It also serves as dust-free storage for my beeswax and canning wax mix when not in use.
Best decision ever, but I find that re-waxing is required after 150-200 miles max.
Best decision ever, but I find that re-waxing is required after 150-200 miles max.
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#27
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I've just started waxing chains.
I looked around for a cheap crock pot on Gumtree, then I remembered I had a wax warmer I bought for accordion waxing:
https://www.amazon.com/Guckmall-Kit%...ct_top?ie=UTF8
It's only about 0.5l but it's just big enough and the big advantage is you just set it for 95C and leave it for 30 mins.
I looked around for a cheap crock pot on Gumtree, then I remembered I had a wax warmer I bought for accordion waxing:
https://www.amazon.com/Guckmall-Kit%...ct_top?ie=UTF8
It's only about 0.5l but it's just big enough and the big advantage is you just set it for 95C and leave it for 30 mins.
#28
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And of course there is the yet unmentioned aesthetic benefit. All the time spent finding, fixing, polishing, maintaining C&V cycles- I want mine to be nice and clean!
For the heck of it, this is my routine with a brand new chain (or one that was previously greased..)-
I put the chain into a large, large-mouth jar (I've got a plastic one that originally had some kind of protein powder in it).
Fill with enough mineral spirits to cover the chain.
Put on the lid and swish it around for a good 3 minutes or so.
Let it sit for a while. Sometimes overnight, and if/when I think of it I swish it around some more.
I'm careful not to swish it around for a while before I fish the chain out (especially if I'm stripping an old/dirty chain- I want the grit, etc to stay settled on the bottom).
Wipe the chain down, hang it on something.
Pour the mineral spirits into a disposal container (to be later taken to the local dump/transfer station/haz waste disposal).
Wipe out the jar well with paper towels.
Chain back in, cover with mineral spirits again.
Repeat the swishing, sitting.
Pull the chain, wipe, hang.
This time I pour the mineral spirits into another jar and save it to use next time for the first bath.
Wipe out the jar, put the chain back in and repeat the above steps using denatured alcohol- I suspect this may be overkill, but I do it anyway.
After the second denatured alcohol bath wipe the chain and hang it to dry out well.
Melt my wax mix in the mini-crock pot. Usually I just put the chain in on top of the wax when I turn the pot on.
I probably leave the chain in for at least an hour after the wax has melted, giving it an occasional stir.
Fish the chain out, wipe it down with paper towels and hang it to cool down.
Run the chain back and forth around a secured piece of metal pipe to loosen it up.
Make sure the chain is the right length, put it on the bike and ride! (or, put it in a baggie/box and have it at the ready for when I need a clean chain)
Seems like a lot of steps/work, but it really isn't too bad. I usually do a couple chains at a time. I usually buy a couple chains at a time, too, when I see them on sale, or if I'm ordering some bike thing and need to add another something to the order to get to the 'free shipping' amount or whatever.
gloves & glasses worn when dealing with chemicals!
For the heck of it, this is my routine with a brand new chain (or one that was previously greased..)-
I put the chain into a large, large-mouth jar (I've got a plastic one that originally had some kind of protein powder in it).
Fill with enough mineral spirits to cover the chain.
Put on the lid and swish it around for a good 3 minutes or so.
Let it sit for a while. Sometimes overnight, and if/when I think of it I swish it around some more.
I'm careful not to swish it around for a while before I fish the chain out (especially if I'm stripping an old/dirty chain- I want the grit, etc to stay settled on the bottom).
Wipe the chain down, hang it on something.
Pour the mineral spirits into a disposal container (to be later taken to the local dump/transfer station/haz waste disposal).
Wipe out the jar well with paper towels.
Chain back in, cover with mineral spirits again.
Repeat the swishing, sitting.
Pull the chain, wipe, hang.
This time I pour the mineral spirits into another jar and save it to use next time for the first bath.
Wipe out the jar, put the chain back in and repeat the above steps using denatured alcohol- I suspect this may be overkill, but I do it anyway.
After the second denatured alcohol bath wipe the chain and hang it to dry out well.
Melt my wax mix in the mini-crock pot. Usually I just put the chain in on top of the wax when I turn the pot on.
I probably leave the chain in for at least an hour after the wax has melted, giving it an occasional stir.
Fish the chain out, wipe it down with paper towels and hang it to cool down.
Run the chain back and forth around a secured piece of metal pipe to loosen it up.
Make sure the chain is the right length, put it on the bike and ride! (or, put it in a baggie/box and have it at the ready for when I need a clean chain)
Seems like a lot of steps/work, but it really isn't too bad. I usually do a couple chains at a time. I usually buy a couple chains at a time, too, when I see them on sale, or if I'm ordering some bike thing and need to add another something to the order to get to the 'free shipping' amount or whatever.
gloves & glasses worn when dealing with chemicals!
#29
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And of course there is the yet unmentioned aesthetic benefit. All the time spent finding, fixing, polishing, maintaining C&V cycles- I want mine to be nice and clean!
For the heck of it, this is my routine with a brand new chain (or one that was previously greased..)- I put the chain into a large, large-mouth jar (I've got a plastic one that originally had some kind of protein powder in it). Fill with enough mineral spirits to cover the chain. Put on the lid and swish it around for a good 3 minutes or so.
Let it sit for a while. Sometimes overnight, and if/when I think of it I swish it around some more. I'm careful not to swish it around for a while before I fish the chain out (especially if I'm stripping an old/dirty chain- I want the grit, etc to stay settled on the bottom). Wipe the chain down, hang it on something.
Pour the mineral spirits into a disposal container (to be later taken to the local dump/transfer station/haz waste disposal). Wipe out the jar well with paper towels. Chain back in, cover with mineral spirits again. Repeat the swishing, sitting. Pull the chain, wipe, hang. This time I pour the mineral spirits into another jar and save it to use next time for the first bath. Wipe out the jar, put the chain back in and repeat the above steps using denatured alcohol- I suspect this may be overkill, but I do it anyway. After the second denatured alcohol bath wipe the chain and hang it to dry out well. Melt my wax mix in the mini-crock pot. Usually I just put the chain in on top of the wax when I turn the pot on. I probably leave the chain in for at least an hour after the wax has melted, giving it an occasional stir. Fish the chain out, wipe it down with paper towels and hang it to cool down. Run the chain back and forth around a secured piece of metal pipe to loosen it up. Make sure the chain is the right length, put it on the bike and ride! (or, put it in a baggie/box and have it at the ready for when I need a clean chain) Seems like a lot of steps/work, but it really isn't too bad. I usually do a couple chains at a time. I usually buy a couple chains at a time, too, when I see them on sale, or if I'm ordering some bike thing and need to add another something to the order to get to the 'free shipping' amount or whatever. gloves & glasses worn when dealing with chemicals!
For the heck of it, this is my routine with a brand new chain (or one that was previously greased..)- I put the chain into a large, large-mouth jar (I've got a plastic one that originally had some kind of protein powder in it). Fill with enough mineral spirits to cover the chain. Put on the lid and swish it around for a good 3 minutes or so.
Let it sit for a while. Sometimes overnight, and if/when I think of it I swish it around some more. I'm careful not to swish it around for a while before I fish the chain out (especially if I'm stripping an old/dirty chain- I want the grit, etc to stay settled on the bottom). Wipe the chain down, hang it on something.
Pour the mineral spirits into a disposal container (to be later taken to the local dump/transfer station/haz waste disposal). Wipe out the jar well with paper towels. Chain back in, cover with mineral spirits again. Repeat the swishing, sitting. Pull the chain, wipe, hang. This time I pour the mineral spirits into another jar and save it to use next time for the first bath. Wipe out the jar, put the chain back in and repeat the above steps using denatured alcohol- I suspect this may be overkill, but I do it anyway. After the second denatured alcohol bath wipe the chain and hang it to dry out well. Melt my wax mix in the mini-crock pot. Usually I just put the chain in on top of the wax when I turn the pot on. I probably leave the chain in for at least an hour after the wax has melted, giving it an occasional stir. Fish the chain out, wipe it down with paper towels and hang it to cool down. Run the chain back and forth around a secured piece of metal pipe to loosen it up. Make sure the chain is the right length, put it on the bike and ride! (or, put it in a baggie/box and have it at the ready for when I need a clean chain) Seems like a lot of steps/work, but it really isn't too bad. I usually do a couple chains at a time. I usually buy a couple chains at a time, too, when I see them on sale, or if I'm ordering some bike thing and need to add another something to the order to get to the 'free shipping' amount or whatever. gloves & glasses worn when dealing with chemicals!
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Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
Last edited by tiger1964; 05-14-22 at 07:08 AM. Reason: sp
#30
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You don't have to make this a big deal. Dedicated mini crockpot you can keep outside or in the garage. Canning wax. You don't need to strip with anything more toxic or inconvenient than a paper towel. You don't need powdered teflon. You don't need any magic ingredients. Spend that money on some quick-links and the Park chain pliers.
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#31
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Nope, just new chains. Or maybe if a chain somehow gets really really dirty or contaminated. Otherwise I just put a chain that needs fresh wax into the crock pot after a quick wipe with a paper towel.
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I do exactly what ehcoplex does. And no, you don't need to do any of this messy stuff when rewaxing...just drop the chain in, warm up the pot, swish around, run chain over a pipe to loosen the links, easy peasy.
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#33
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#34
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#35
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I use it to scald milk for yogurt, too, because it has a temp sensor and can stir magnetically. My first one died by shorting and arcing, and this is the same Corning brand and model, so I'm suitably cautious. I would never leave it unattended or plugged in when not in use.
I've got a relative who is fire chief in a small Vermont town. He is more concerned about my hotplate than my oxy/pro brazing setup, mostly because the brazing torch can't really be left unattended while on.
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#36
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Make the fire chief happy. Get a nice safe little crock pot.
#37
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I really like the concept of melted wax on a chain -- wow, the chain stays clean looking!
Really no idea on best frequency on rewaxing and, if the chain is not full of debris from using oil/grease, do I really need to aggressively clean the chain before any reapplication?
My real problem is the melting part. The brand is Speed Wax, and they recommend using a mini electric crock pot, so I bought one from Amazon called Elite Gourmet, 1.5qt. However, two hours on HIGH and the wax really was only marginally melted. Anyone else "doing the wax thing" and if so, using what to melt the wax? I'm almost ready to get a saucepan and heat on my wife's gas range ( ).
Really no idea on best frequency on rewaxing and, if the chain is not full of debris from using oil/grease, do I really need to aggressively clean the chain before any reapplication?
My real problem is the melting part. The brand is Speed Wax, and they recommend using a mini electric crock pot, so I bought one from Amazon called Elite Gourmet, 1.5qt. However, two hours on HIGH and the wax really was only marginally melted. Anyone else "doing the wax thing" and if so, using what to melt the wax? I'm almost ready to get a saucepan and heat on my wife's gas range ( ).
#38
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Sounds like a dedicated sauce pan on the stove is the easiest/cheapest/most convenient. Are people really worried about fires?
#40
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The flash point is roughly the same for cooking oils and common waxes, so I'd agree it's not a greater risk. I like the electric wok bc it was cheap, melts it just as quick as a stove top, and it can just live at the "correct" temp setting that will melt the wax but not ignite it. I can also plug it in anywhere instead of its function being tied to the range, so it lives in the shop instead of the kitchen.
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Makes sense.
#43
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Looking at a bunch of websites, lower limit for a double boiler is $30 delivered. That's probably where I am headed. I can take our hot plate out to our porch, where it would be very well ventilated. Hmm, water boils at 212F and I need to get the wax to 200F, I wonder if I am looking at a very narrow temp window?
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#44
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This is the crock pot I use. Only $17 and the perfect size. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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#46
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This is the crock pot I use. Only $17 and the perfect size. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Tempted to just get a saucepan and skip the double boiler route.
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#47
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The real question is, is it French wax or English wax? Domestic wax? No, it is not wax it all - it is a clue!
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