In the August edition of Fast Bikes in the technical section they had a cleaning products company in to do the spread (company name escapes now) and in there they recommend against cleaning the chain with products like petrol or paraffin as these degrade the O/X rings of the chain. I've read here about the wonders of using paraffin and have started to use it myself to clean the chain prior to a coat of Wurth. Does paraffin have an adverse effect do you know??
I assume the cleaning suppies company would recommend using their products, rather than cheap paraffin?
I have always cleaned my chain with paraffin and it has never affected the chain in any way, after cleaning dry off and relube jobs a good one.
I'd take anything that some cleaning products company would say with a fistful of salt. People have been cleaning their chains with paraffin for donkeys years and all of a sudden it's no good because some dude who's trying to sell the latest snake oil chain cleaner says so??? I don't think so.
I spent 12quid on a can of chain and sprocket cleaner from a top brand. Struggled with it for 30mins and it really didn't shift much of the grime. 5mins with some petrol and the chain and sprocket were gleaming. Obviously you have to wipe off the petrol quickly and lube up the chain so you don't damage the rings but it was almost effortless compared to the 'proper' stuff
Used paraffin for a few years on my previous bike and shall be doing the same on this one - never had a problem...
I either use paraffin or WD-40. Then follow that up with water-based degreaser. Then once the chain's dried it gets a good coating of Wurth.
I think the idea behind chain cleaner is that it evaporates (like brake cleaner) leaving hardly any residue and priming the chain for the lube and the lube is at it most effective with clean, dry base! But cleaning with paraffin or wd40 can penetrate to deeply stripping the grease from under the O rings and also damaging the rubber the O rings are made from causing them to fail! Also the film that left behind doesn't allow the chain lube to penetrate properly and to a certain degree dilutes the new lube applied Petrol is way to harsh & destructive to rubber. I know when I used DW40 to clean the chain I've never had so much fling and that kinda proves the point as it not the wd that being thrown off it the new lube that cant stick to the chain due to the film that's left behind!
Was my first though and after many years of using Paraffin I've never had a single issue. Keep using it, cheap, cleans good and does no damage Just other company's trying to scare people
I use GT85 to clean and do it allmost after every ride and dont relube with anything else, chain looks good and like I say as long as its done every 200 - 300 miles so far I have no issues.. GT85 doesnt damage rubber hence why its better than WD40
I have never actually used paraffin per say on my chain but considering its one of the main ingredients in WD40 which I have used many times to get rid of gunk build up on the chain engine area's. Never ever use petrol to clean the chain it will damage and dry out the seals! Special nitril rubber is used for products that's to be in contact with petrol or other harsh chemicals! Chain seals do Not fall into this category! Paraffin is listed in most owners manuals as to what to use for chain maintainance, I tend to use WD40 to actually clean the gunk off the chain and then use either a small amount of chain cleaner or muc off to clean off the WD as if left it sprays everywhere as mentioned. I find using WD goes further for cleaning than just using a dedicated chain cleaner as it evaporates before being able to work it into the gunk so end up using more cleaner than if only using the cleaner to clean WD residue!
I only put some petrol on a cloth then rubbed the sprocket and sides of the links. It didn't penetrate my chain at all as such. I might give GT85 a go as I have some in the garage
I've never used paraffin but can recommend Muc off DRY chain cleaner, I was amazed at how well it works! Spray on - wipe off it says on the tin - bloody Does aswell! Only 5.70 at sportsbikeshop at the mo - got a fresh tin last weekend as I have been using it for cleaning other stuff including the tar spots off the cars as our council have a pile of money left over and are 'dressing' every bloody road nearby!
I use light weight gear oil on my chain on my CB1 winter bike which I apply with a 1" paint brush and it's fab no rust at all and that's 3 winter including the horrendous one of 2010! I use Muc off chain cleaner and reapply the gear oil! Job done! To tell you the truth as long as the chain is well maintained whatever you use! You'll probably find you'll have to replace the chain due to stretching rather than damage from products
+1 on muc off chain cleaner,shifts anything off chain and sprockets and surrounding area,leave it looking like new Quite like the muc off chain lube too,doesn't appear to fling off much and coats the chain well.
I started using Activ8 chain cleaner & lube on the Blade this year it's really good I not sure if I lives up to all it's claims only time will tell but there was a demo at the Scottish Bike Show and has had some raving reviews in MCN,Fastbikes etc it has special additives that reduces wear, improves performance and economy! I know SNAKE OIL!!! I hear you cry but the mags recommend it too Oh it's £20 for twin pack lube & cleaner
