Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - running a chain with pledge?

i was in my lbs the other day, and the guy mentioned that i should get a (chrome?) plated chain, and he'd show me how to use it with pledge as a lubricant.
i've never heard of this - does anyone have any info? ever done it? thanks!

Watch out for that waxy buildup.

that sounds real strange, isn't pledge made for wood? why wouldn't he just use normal chain lube?

it actually kinda makes sense to me; pledge has a solvent in it (to dissolve waxy buildup :) ) that would clean the chain, and it also has a polish, which would coat the chain, and presumeably lube it.

i'd guess you'd want to spray the chain and wipe it down real well to clean it, and then spray it again, let is sit for a while, then wipe off the excess.

I thought it applied a thin wax coating but then again so does most wax based chain lubes.

that 'wax' bit makes sense. he said i could wax it with pledge - mom will be so proud. and with my new lemon fresh scent, bet i won't be buying my own drinks much longer!

floor wax and a dessert topping!

seems weird. why not regular lube?

The lemoney scent might be a bonus, but I like the banana scent of my triflow...

This thread has two elements: 1) the chrome-plated chain, and 2) Pledge as a chain lubricant.

I ride in a really dirty environment because the road maintenance folks use volcanic cinder as a traction aid during snow and ice times.
The cars grind the cinder into powder, which gets in everything.

I've tried several different lubricants, and, as much as I use them, they either cost too much, require washing my chain before relubing, or attract and collect cinder.
Pledge, if it really works as suggested in this thread, sounds like a good alternative.

As for chains, what about stainless steel chains and plated chains?
Do they provide better service in wet and dirty environments?

Try Rock and Roll lube. That stuff is great and does not collect dirt like other lubes

Wouldn't it not work very well in the rain? It is probably a bad idea for cold weather.

I've heard of people using pledge on their motorcycle chains. On my motorcycles I prefer a chain wax. For bicycles I use a variety of lubes depending on conditions dry, wet, muddy, etc.

pledge is just sprayable wax, with a solvent in it to keep it fluid, once it hits the air the solvent starts to evaporate, which causes the wax to set up, same as any wax-based chain lube.

the only real question in my mind is if the wax will hold up to the abuses that a chain is subjected to.

Ulysses Everett McGill: Well, I don't want Pledge, goddarn it! I'm a Dapper Dan man!
Vendor: Watch your language, young feller, this is a public market. Now if you want Dapper Dan, I can order it for you, have it in a couple of weeks.
Ulysses Everett McGill: Well, ain't this place a geographical oddity. Two weeks from everywhere!

Enjoy

pledge is just sprayable wax, with a solvent in it to keep it fluid, once it hits the air the solvent starts to evaporate, which causes the wax to set up, same as any wax-based chain lube.

the only real question in my mind is if the wax will hold up to the abuses that a chain is subjected to.
This is essentially what wax chain lube (ice wax, white lightning, etc.) is. Wax suspended in a solvent.

Wax lube washes off really easily, and isn't very durable as a chain lubricant.. It does keep your chain really clean...

typically any wax based lubes i ever used (offroad only experience) suck because they wear off so quick.

i tried using pedros ice wax on my mtb for a while but just stopped because after riding for an hour the chain would be squeeking again.

but it does keep the chain cleaner than wet/oil based lubes.

i have never tired wax lubes in conjunction with singlspeed/fixed gear drivetrains. since they seem to require much less lube in general than their geared counterparts to keep them running, maybe wax would be acceptable. but your still gonna have to re-apply more frequently than if you used oil based lube!

Powers2b wrote:

"Ulysses Everett McGill: Well, ain't this place a geographical oddity. Two weeks from everywhere!"

What a coincidence.
Ulysses Everett McGill and I live in the same place.

This thread has two elements: 1) the chrome-plated chain, and 2) Pledge as a chain lubricant.

As for chains, what about stainless steel chains and plated chains?
Do they provide better service in wet and dirty environments?

that's kind of my other question:
i am not sure which different types of chains are better for different areas - what is the difference between the different types of chains? i currently have a plain old bike chain on my fixie - i have to get a new one, because there is some rust. is there a type of chain that would be better for an urban environment (i ride a road conversion, so no track use necessary).

What a coincidence.
Ulysses Everett McGill and I live in the same place.

I'd say we're neighbors, but you're probably at least two weeks away.

White Lightning. Dont even have to clean your chain. Just lube it up with that stuff. repels dirt, sand, grime, and small animals

White Lightning. Dont even have to clean your chain. Just lube it up with that stuff. repels dirt, sand, grime, and small animals

well, the squirrels have been a problem. awesome - and i already have some at home.

i second the white lightning. great stuff...just be dilligent.

Ever try the White Lightning "Race Day" variety? You can shake that shat up all day long it aint gonna comeout with any kind of consistency (or ease). I set my bottle of it up in a pan of boiling water, give it a few minutes (loosen lid or go boom and spray you with wax) and it works great! I started using it before mtb races years ago to avoid the hassle of a full on wax job which is what I prefer for "race day" otherwise, it's too bothersome to wax or use the White Lightning "Race Day"

for everyday stuff I use whatever the hell we have around, I've even used 3n1, Hell I once used chamois butter I found in my bag to stop the embarrasing squeek til I could get home once. squueek are the worst embassased

What one will use IMO depends on the conditions you ride in, how into maintenance you are etc. I hate "Black Chain", I hate "noise" so my chain is maintained regularly. My chains always look clean and run quiet. I have used most every commerically available product and all work fairly well considering that I maintain on a weekly basis or more.This winter was wet and required more diligence to maintain the drivetrain. It is simple for me. I have rack in my garage for my bikes. When hung I can clean the chain and re lube it in about 2 minutes. I use currently, Bosheild T-9 in the spray can. I spray it on and wipe it off. This removes most of the dirt. I re-apply and allow to dry and wipe the excess off prior to my next ride. I also have an air compressor that I sometimes use to blow off excess grit. I carry a small drip bottle of T-9 on the bike, but I never use it. I commute 30 miles, but I ride several different bikes. I rode in on a recumbent and road home on a fixie. Both have fenders. Its been a bit rainy. IMO Pledge may work and I'll try it since I have a large can I use to clean and shine my Ti bike. Pledge really works well on satin finished Titainum.

ProLink, easy on, easy off

pro-link is my best friend.. great stuff! it cleans / lubes with no build-up. plus you dont have to be a ninny about application just saturate and wipe... its light also!

Plated or stainless chains are THE BOMB (if ya don't mind my dragging out some vintage late 90s slang). My road conversion and track frame both sport one and it makes it just so convenient. Stop worrying about lubrication unless you actually NEED lubrication. No need for lube-as-preservative.

On the other hand, this winter my ordinary 3/32" mtb chain got seriously messed up just a few days after being freshly slathered with nasty wet lube because of all the snow and salt.

White Lightining or the Finish Line Krytech

eeeeeeeeeeeew Krytech is nasty.
so much buildup.

Hey, at last they found a use for Pledge! I would not take my bike to a mechanic who owns a can of Pledge, not knowingly... Is his workbench lustrous and dust-free?

I used to have a homebrew recipe for dry lubes with wax. The ingredients were wax, oil and white gas (the stuff you put in Coleman stoves and lanterns). The idea was the gas dissolves the wax to make the mixture liquid. When applied to the chain, liquid penetrates all parts of the chain. The white gas evaporates and leaves a waxy residue. I used this for a while and it worked very well.

It did not last as long as straight oil and could not stand up to the rain. It was much cheaper than White Lightning. You had to apply it more often but it was cheap and easy.

I currently use 10-30 or whatever I have laying around.

10w30!? Melt paraffin in a double boiler and put your chain in, swirl around, remove, wipe down with a rag, careful it's hot! Hang dry. Install with the proper pin or a connecting link.

I used to have a homebrew recipe for dry lubes with wax. The ingredients were wax, oil and white gas (the stuff you put in Coleman stoves and lanterns). The idea was the gas dissolves the wax to make the mixture liquid. When applied to the chain, liquid penetrates all parts of the chain. The white gas evaporates and leaves a waxy residue. I used this for a while and it worked very well.

Your name wouldn't be Ted Kaczynski by any chance would it? That sounds like some dangerous stuff!
:)

Your name wouldn't be Ted Kaczynski by any chance would it? That sounds like some dangerous stuff!


I think it is some bicycling guys book. I can not take credit for it.

It is not dangerous but as the gas evaporates, it smells up your house (I keep my bikes inside). The other problem I had was the container I stored it in. It was an old Pedros eye drop lube bottle. The gas would evaporate out of the bottle and the lube would get thick. I would keep the cap on tight but it would still evaporate. I had to keep adding the white gas to keep it thin enough to apply.