Graphite powder for Wax

I'll try one more time... Does no one make their own chain lube using parafin wax?

(Maybe if no one does it's not a good idea.)

padawan said:

I'll try one more time... Does no one make their own chain lube using parafin wax?

(Maybe if no one does it's not a good idea.)

I can't say I've ever heard of doing this... I used to use graphite powder on model cars to make the wheels spin better, and I don't think you'd hurt anything since the particle size is so small. But I'm also not convinced you'd see any benefit. Check your local hobby shop for the graphite, and let us know how it works out!

tetsuryuu said:

I can't say I've ever heard of doing this... I used to use graphite powder on model cars to make the wheels spin better, and I don't think you'd hurt anything since the particle size is so small. But I'm also not convinced you'd see any benefit. Check your local hobby shop for the graphite, and let us know how it works out!

i've the same mindset as tetsuryuu- graphite works wonders if you've something VERY delicate (light) and friction is the biggest thing to overcome. like the above mentioned model cars- the're usually very light, gravity is usually the only accelerating force, and they mostly all weigh the same- thus the one to reduce friction the greatest wins.

however, in this particular situation- graphite is used because wet libricants induce surface tension and actually create too much drag. oil slows them down and wax would just bind the wheels.

with a bicycle chain- i think any benefit gained from the graphite would be lost in the stickiness of the wax. even light grease would be better than wax...

also think about maintanence. when you go to clean it- wax/grease is twice as hard to get off as oil.

maybe these reasons are why nobody waxes?

my $.02

Waxing with parrafin does work,but isn't any good in wet conditions.I used to wax..kept my parrafin in a coffee can which I'd place in a pan of boiling water...dunk the chain once the wax liquified and let drip dry-harden.I never tried mixing anything into the wax,the parrafin is the lubricant.

I'm feeling surly, but isnt a bottle of Tri-Flow only like $4 or so? I'm not sure I get the point of making my own lubricant. I do like to build my own wheels, though. Maybe it's the same thing.

TooTall999 said:

Waxing with parrafin does work,but isn't any good in wet conditions.I used to wax..kept my parrafin in a coffee can which I'd place in a pan of boiling water...dunk the chain once the wax liquified and let drip dry-harden.I never tried mixing anything into the wax,the parrafin is the lubricant.

To clarify, this is more what I meant. I've never done it myself, but my grandfather was an avid cyclist for 15 or 20 years after retiring (at 91, he's a little too tippy now to ride) and he routinely would degrease his chain in a solvent and then dip it in parrafin. But he also had a lot of time on his hands. I'd personally rather spend 2 minutes 5 times a week to lubricate a chain than an hour degreasing and waxing.

Thanks to all who responded! I'm still probably going to give it a try. Like Mpc350 who builds his own wheels, it's kind of a do-it-yourself mentality.

I have an older bike which I use in wet conditions so the wax will only be used on my dry-bike.

I realize each cleaning and reapplication will take longer but I think the benefits will be having to do that less often, and not ever having to deal with black grease everytime I take my chain off (Wipperman Connex).

I'll let you know how it goes.

Pad

I've done it. Won't do it again. Too much work as compared to wiping and lubing. Plus...the wax flakes off leaving a waxy mess on the wheels, deraileur and chain stay.

padawan said:

Thanks to all who responded! I'm still probably going to give it a try. Like Mpc350 who builds his own wheels, it's kind of a do-it-yourself mentality.

I have an older bike which I use in wet conditions so the wax will only be used on my dry-bike.

I realize each cleaning and reapplication will take longer but I think the benefits will be having to do that less often, and not ever having to deal with black grease everytime I take my chain off (Wipperman Connex).

I'll let you know how it goes.

Pad

padawan said:

1) Where can you by powdered graphite? Any brand names I should consider?

Take a #2 pencil (remove the "wood" as needed) and rub the "exposed" graphite against a CLEAN flat file ... that's certainly the easiest & cheapest source of graphite.