Diff'n between chain oil and chain wax?

Chain "oil" usually applies on wet, while chain "wax" usually applies on dry. Hence, the wax does
not attract dirt as the oil would. Lots of folks here use White Lightning for chain wax. Wax creates
a build up though that one has to scrape off. I just started using dry (teflon-based) "lube".

--
- Zilla Cary, NC (Remove XSPAM)

"amesan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

And advantanges or disadvantages between the 2, or when to use which?

Frank

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:ijyUa.2710$oq.2043 @fe04.atl2.webusenet.com:

Quoted message said:

Chain "oil" usually applies on wet, while chain "wax" usually applies on dry. Hence, the wax does
not attract dirt as the oil would. Lots of folks here use White Lightning for chain wax. Wax
creates a build up though that one has to scrape off.

Pedro's chain wax doesn't build up much. You can just wash it off with a hose. You do have to
reapply it after *every* ride, though.

Zilla said:

Chain "oil" usually applies on wet, while chain "wax" usually applies on dry. Hence, the wax
does not attract dirt as the oil would. Lots of folks here use White Lightning for chain wax.
Wax creates a build up though that one has to scrape off. I just started using dry
(teflon-based) "lube".

Also, wax doesn't penetrate as well or reflow when pressure squeezes it out of the links so it's not
as good a lube. It also comes off almost instantly in water. But, for a dry dusty or sandy climates
where an even slightly wet lube will instantly turn into grinding paste, it's marvelous! My son
lives in the Southern California desert and it works great for him.

For me here in Maryland, I found that wet lubes still lead to short chain and gear life spans -- too
much dust. I prefer a dryer teflon based lube (Finish Line red cap) and I sometimes put a wax over
it to make it a little drier and longer lasting (Finish Line silver cap).

As important as the lube is regular cleaning of the chain. With the dry lube, I do it every 200-300
or so miles. I had to do it every 100 miles (sometime even more often) with the wet lube. I like an
on-bike cleaner-toy. Some work better then others. When the cleaner that comes with it runs out,
just use simple green or even diluted dish detergent. If you have disc brakes, make sure to cover
them or the splashed cleaner with disolved chain lube will contaminate your brakes and make you very
sorry (see other threads about mud to cure disc brake woes in google).

David

Ken <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:ijyUa.2710$oq.2043 @fe04.atl2.webusenet.com:

Quoted message said:

Chain "oil" usually applies on wet, while chain "wax" usually applies on dry. Hence, the wax
does not attract dirt as the oil would. Lots of folks here use White Lightning for chain wax.
Wax creates a build up though that one has to scrape off.

Pedro's chain wax doesn't build up much. You can just wash it off with a hose. You do have to
reapply it after *every* ride, though.

I used Pedros Chain Wax for a half a season and it was self cleaning . Unlike the messy White
Lightning , it heldup better after stream crossings. Unfortunately , a lot of the LBS in my area
rarely carried it and it became difficult to find . I went back to the Pedros Extra Dry with
Teflon , which seems to work in all conditions and keeps the grime down . I usually clean my chain
when I clean my bike anyway ( every other ride , except during muddy conditions ).

M&M

Ken said:

Pedro's chain wax doesn't build up much. You can just wash it off with a hose.

That was basically the problem I found with White Lightening. One stream crossing and your chain was
non-lubed. I've switched back to Tri-Flow for the mtn bike.

--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado (remove ".nospam" to reply)

Quoted message said:

That was basically the problem I found with White Lightening. One stream crossing and your chain
was non-lubed. I've switched back to Tri-Flow for the mtn bike.

--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado

LOL... stream crossing, now THAT is a novel idea...

-John Morgan

"amesan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

And advantanges or disadvantages between the 2, or when to use which?

Frank

Most of the oil type lubes I've used have done a great job of lubricating the chain but have also
attracted a lot of dirt and gunk which can cause its own problems with shifting.

I've been using Pedros Ice Wax here in NE for a few years and its done a great job of lubricating as
well as keeping my drivetrain clean. It keeps it clean enough so that riding buddies are always
asking if I just replaced my cassette.

The big drawback is that wax is not a "squirt it in an forget it" type of lubricant. I have found
that if I soak a new chain in a zip lock bag filled with some wax (after I've removed that sticky
[censored] that comes on new chains) then hang it up to dry over night, I get much better performance out
of additional waxes. You need to give your chain a quick wipe down after every ride, reapply the
wax, then wipe of the excess wax after ten minutes or so.

Its more maintenance than a lot of people are willing to do and most people that you hear complain
about the performance of wax didn't really use it correctly.

T

"Tom Walker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"amesan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

And advantanges or disadvantages between the 2, or when to use which?

Frank

Most of the oil type lubes I've used have done a great job of lubricating the chain but have also
attracted a lot of dirt and gunk which can cause its own problems with shifting.

I've been using Pedros Ice Wax here in NE for a few years and its done a great job of lubricating
as well as keeping my drivetrain clean. It keeps it clean enough so that riding buddies are always
asking if I just replaced my cassette.

The big drawback is that wax is not a "squirt it in an forget it" type of lubricant. I have found
that if I soak a new chain in a zip lock bag filled with some wax (after I've removed that sticky
[censored] that comes on new chains) then hang it up to dry over night, I get much better performance
out of additional waxes. You need to give your chain a quick wipe down after every ride, reapply
the wax, then wipe of the excess wax after ten minutes or so.

Its more maintenance than a lot of people are willing to do and most people that you hear complain
about the performance of wax didn't really use it correctly.

T

Hi Tom. I've used similar wax for a while now. The only problem I've had is when switching to a new
chain. How did you go about removing the factory lube from the chain before its first wax? I went
all out and degreased the thing with Gunk, but I think it degreased too much and stripped the inner
rivets of their lube. Even after a few wax apps the chain still sounded noisy and dry. The only cure
I found was soaking in wet lube then wiping it all off before waxing again, but that's not an ideal
solution. Any ideas?

Other than wax is great and has been a god-send to me for dusty riding conditions. Cheers

Mark

Mark "(UK)" said:

"dusty riding
conditions."

Heheheheheh - yeah, been an unusual few months weather-wise eh? ',;~}~

Shaun aRe - He said 'UK' and 'dusty', heheheheh...........

John Morgan said:

Quoted message said:

That was basically the problem I found with White Lightening. One stream crossing and your chain
was non-lubed. I've switched back to Tri-Flow for the mtn bike.

--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado

LOL... stream crossing, now THAT is a novel idea...

-John Morgan

I'm sure I don't get it.

--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado (remove ".nospam" to reply)

"Shaun Rimmer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mark "(UK)" said:

"dusty riding
conditions."

Heheheheheh - yeah, been an unusual few months weather-wise eh? ',;~}~

Shaun aRe - He said 'UK' and 'dusty', heheheheh...........

yeah although last week or so has been far from dusty. I ride a different bike in the rain
though, and i sure don't use wax on that one's chain... Can't beat good old light oil in the wet.
Cheers Mark

"Mark \(UK\)" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hi Tom. I've used similar wax for a while now. The only problem I've had is when switching to a
new chain. How did you go about removing the factory lube from the chain before its first wax? I
went all out and degreased the thing with Gunk, but I think it degreased too much and stripped the
inner rivets of their lube. Even after a few wax apps the chain still sounded noisy and dry. The
only cure I found was soaking in wet lube then wiping it all off before waxing again, but that's
not an ideal solution. Any ideas?

Other than wax is great and has been a god-send to me for dusty riding conditions. Cheers

Mark

When I get the new chain I put it in a zip lock freezer bag with some Simple Green (undiluted or
close to it) and shake it up for a couple of minutes. Take the chain out, give it a thorough wiping
off and maybe let it dry out for a bit if you like. When you're done you shouldn't feel any
stickiness on the surface of the chain or in the links. Next I put the chain in a new bag with some
wax in it. You don't need to drown it in wax but there should be plenty in there to coat the whole
chain. Again, shake it up and knead the chain through the bag for a minute or two. Hang the chain
from one end to dry overnight. In the morning, wipe off the chain and you're ready to go.

My experience (not fact or professional opinion, mind you) is that wax just will not work properly
unless you remove the protective goop the chain in packaged in. Also, the wax lasts longer when you
take the time to first soak the chain and really let it dry. I believe this is because it allows the
wax to work into the chain deeper. Failure to wipe the excess wax off the chain will definitel cause
build up of wax.

T

"Mark \(UK\)" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hi Tom. I've used similar wax for a while now. The only problem I've had is when switching to a
new chain. How did you go about removing the factory lube from the chain before its first wax? I
went all out and degreased the thing with Gunk, but I think it degreased too much and stripped the
inner rivets of their lube. Even after a few wax apps the chain still sounded noisy and dry. The
only cure I found was soaking in wet lube then wiping it all off before waxing again, but that's
not an ideal solution. Any ideas?

Other than wax is great and has been a god-send to me for dusty riding conditions. Cheers

Mark

When I get the new chain I put it in a zip lock freezer bag with some Simple Green (undiluted or
close to it) and shake it up for a couple of minutes. Take the chain out, give it a thorough wiping
off and maybe let it dry out for a bit if you like. When you're done you shouldn't feel any
stickiness on the surface of the chain or in the links. Next I put the chain in a new bag with some
wax in it. You don't need to drown it in wax but there should be plenty in there to coat the whole
chain. Again, shake it up and knead the chain through the bag for a minute or two. Hang the chain
from one end to dry overnight. In the morning, wipe off the chain and you're ready to go.

My experience (not fact or professional opinion, mind you) is that wax just will not work properly
unless you remove the protective goop the chain in packaged in. Also, the wax lasts longer when you
take the time to first soak the chain and really let it dry. I believe this is because it allows the
wax to work into the chain deeper. Failure to wipe the excess wax off the chain will definitel cause
build up of wax.

T

"amesan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

And advantanges or disadvantages between the 2, or when to use which?

Frank

It's a 2 step process. Wax is for removing leg hair. Oil's for massage. I usually start
with the wax.

/s

"Tom Walker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Mark \(UK\)" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hi Tom. I've used similar wax for a while now. The only problem I've had

is

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

when switching to a new chain. How did you go about removing the factory lube from the chain
before its first wax? I went all out and degreased

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

thing with Gunk, but I think it degreased too much and stripped the

inner

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

rivets of their lube. Even after a few wax apps the chain still sounded noisy and dry. The only
cure I found was soaking in wet lube then wiping

it

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

all off before waxing again, but that's not an ideal solution. Any

ideas?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Other than wax is great and has been a god-send to me for dusty riding conditions. Cheers

Mark

When I get the new chain I put it in a zip lock freezer bag with some Simple Green (undiluted or
close to it) and shake it up for a couple of minutes. Take the chain out, give it a thorough
wiping off and maybe let it dry out for a bit if you like. When you're done you shouldn't feel any
stickiness on the surface of the chain or in the links. Next I put the chain in a new bag with
some wax in it. You don't need to drown it in wax but there should be plenty in there to coat the
whole chain. Again, shake it up and knead the chain through the bag for a minute or two. Hang the
chain from one end to dry overnight. In the morning, wipe off the chain and you're ready to go.

My experience (not fact or professional opinion, mind you) is that wax just will not work properly
unless you remove the protective goop the chain in packaged in. Also, the wax lasts longer when
you take the time to first soak the chain and really let it dry. I believe this is because it
allows the wax to work into the chain deeper. Failure to wipe the excess wax off the chain will
definitel cause build up of wax.

T

Sounds to the letter like how I did it, except I used Gunk instead. Reckon it was too strong a
degreaser.

Mark (UK) <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Shaun Rimmer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mark "(UK)" said:

"dusty riding
conditions."

Heheheheheh - yeah, been an unusual few months weather-wise eh? ',;~}~

Shaun aRe - He said 'UK' and 'dusty', heheheheh...........

yeah although last week or so has been far from dusty.

Yeah - we've had (are having still) plenty of sky [censored] ;-(

Quoted message said:

I ride a different bike in the rain though, and i sure don't use wax on that one's chain... Can't
beat good old light oil in the wet. Cheers Mark

Yup! And I take a small bottle with me on all rides anyhow - if it needs it, flip the bike, 2
minutes and she's done again.

Shaun aRe - Ahem.

"Shaun Rimmer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mark (UK) <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Shaun Rimmer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mark "(UK)" said:

"dusty riding
conditions."

Heheheheheh - yeah, been an unusual few months weather-wise eh? ',;~}~

Shaun aRe - He said 'UK' and 'dusty', heheheheh...........

yeah although last week or so has been far from dusty.

Yeah - we've had (are having still) plenty of sky [censored] ;-(

Quoted message said:

I ride a different bike in the rain though, and i sure don't use wax on that one's chain...
Can't beat good old light oil in the wet. Cheers Mark

Yup! And I take a small bottle with me on all rides anyhow - if it needs

it,

Quoted message said:

flip the bike, 2 minutes and she's done again.

Shaun aRe - Ahem.

Where in the UK are you? Apparently we're in for a btching week of rain. Looks like some wet rides
to work are in store.

Mark (UK) <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Shaun Rimmer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mark (UK) <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Shaun Rimmer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
>
> Mark "(UK)" said:
>
>
>
> "dusty riding
> conditions."
>
>
> Heheheheheh - yeah, been an unusual few months weather-wise eh?

',;~}~

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>
>
>
>
>
> Shaun aRe - He said 'UK' and 'dusty', heheheheh...........
>
>
yeah although last week or so has been far from dusty.

Yeah - we've had (are having still) plenty of sky [censored] ;-(

Quoted message said:

I ride a different bike in the rain though, and i sure don't use wax on that one's

chain...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Can't beat good old light oil in the wet. Cheers Mark

Yup! And I take a small bottle with me on all rides anyhow - if it needs

it,

Quoted message said:

flip the bike, 2 minutes and she's done again.

Shaun aRe - Ahem.

Where in the UK are you? Apparently we're in for a btching week of rain. Looks like some wet rides
to work are in store.

Lancashire (Whalley, near (well 'in', officially) Clitheroe, Blackburn etc.), not too far from the
Yorkshire border. Rained yesterday and today, but got a lift in this a.m. (cos I'm rough as hell
with a bad, permanently wheezy chest, and didn't much fancy the bloody great hill right in the
middle of (well, the hill _is_) my 5.3 mile commute).

Looked at the BBC 5 day for Bburn, says worst case cloudy and 61 (IIRC), best case sunny spells and
71F for Friday - that's all I'm bothered about, because that's when I tie the knot, and outdoors at
that............ ',;~}~

Shaun aRe - "Don't worry love, I know they do 'brollies in a cream colour" Heheheheh............