Hi Guys,

I would like to find out what I could use to clean of all the dirt and old wax on my chain before I re-lube it? I stay in SA so I might not have the same products easily available.

I do have a bio-degradable cleaner which is strong enough to strip grease (Blade). Other than that I can only think of a little engine cleaner but i'm worried it might remain on the chain and weaken the new lube added?

Any advise?

Quite ridiculous that you go on to an international site and the first advice you get is from a fellow Capetonian . I use paraffin, in fact it usually says kerosene which I think is the same thing. It is not abrasive enough to damage anything and I still find it will remove small amounts of rust. Being that it is fairly mild it takes a bit of scrubbing but I rather not risk weakening my chain with anything else.

Just realized you may be doing this with the chain still on? Could be a bit difficult with kerosene, I always take mine off.

RegionX wrote:Quite ridiculous that you go on to an international site and the first advice you get is from a fellow Capetonian . I use paraffin, in fact it usually says kerosene which I think is the same thing. It is not abrasive enough to damage anything and I still find it will remove small amounts of rust. Being that it is fairly mild it takes a bit of scrubbing but I rather not risk weakening my chain with anything else.

Just realized you may be doing this with the chain still on? Could be a bit difficult with kerosene, I always take mine off.

Haha indeed what are the chances hey, we might even have seen each other or said hi since I ride with and know most of the VFR owners in CT

Yes it will be done with the chain on the bike. So im thinking I should get some, use a cloth and wipe off as much as I can get off and then re-wax.

Thanks for the help bud

Old paintbrush and some parrafin / kereosene. Brush it into all the chain and let it soak for a minute. Then get a rag and clean it up.

After it's dried go for a short ride to warm the chain up and then apply your choice of chain wax / lube etc

Neosophist wrote:Old paintbrush and some parrafin / kereosene. Brush it into all the chain and let it soak for a minute. Then get a rag and clean it up.

After it's dried go for a short ride to warm the chain up and then apply your choice of chain wax / lube etc

Much appreciated chaps, will do the weekend

I'm a new owner with a fixer upper, haven't even ridden her yet , maybe il see you around.

RegionX wrote:I'm a new owner with a fixer upper, haven't even ridden her yet , maybe il see you around.

Awesome man, many happy Km's ahead. Yeah send me a shout when you ready to ride a bit could come join me and a couple of guys.

Thanx alot chaps! Worked the charm very chuffed. Would take pics and show but not sure of how to add or upload.
But thanks again for the help

Spoilt01 wrote:Thanx alot chaps! Worked the charm very chuffed. Would take pics and show but not sure of how to add or upload.
But thanks again for the help

photobucket.com for future reference.