Re: What's the best chain cleaner & degreaser?

Steven M. Scharf

"Jonesy" <beelzebubba@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:73da2590.0404021115.58fbf54a@posting.google.com...
> "Steven M. Scharf" <scharf.steven@linkearth.net> wrote in message
news:<cpWac.10562$Dv2.1875@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net>...
> > "Jonesy" <beelzebubba@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:73da2590.0403311412.48421e42@posting.google.com...
> > .
> > > Back to topic: I also have had poor luck with citrus-based solvents.
> > > They are good for degreasing clothes, or removing glue residue, but
> > > not for chain cleaning. I use good ol' paint thinner in a soda
> > > bottle. Put in the chain. Shake. Pull the chain out and wipe. Let
> > > dirt settle out. Pour off clear (no dirt particles) supernatant to a
> > > new bottle, remove dirt from old bottle. Put chain in new bottle.
> > > Shake. Rinse, lather, repeat until no dirt comes out of chain.
> >
> > This is about the same as using a chain cleaning device, again, the key
is
> > "rinse, lather, repeat."
>
> Less expense, and less fiddling with the bike as a whole.
>
> > > Dry thoroughly, such that NO solvent is left in the chain.
> >
> > Which is why you shouldn't use water based solvents. It's very difficult
to
> > dry it. You have water mixed with old lubricant inside the links. I
guess
> > that a torch would accellerate the drying process. OTOH, a little
petroleum
> > based solvent left inside is not a problem.
>
> My drying times are usually on the order of days to a week - I have
> more than one chain.

Yeah, I didn't think of that. If you let the chain dry for several days
after using a water based solvent then that gets around most of the
problems, though a more volatile solvent eliminates the need for long dry
times. I think that many people that use Simple Green or other water based
solvent may not let the chain dry for several days, as you do.