Sticky new chain - clean it or leave it?
02-21-10, 12:04 PM
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Sticky new chain - clean it or leave it?
I recently installed a new KMC chain on my bike. Nice and shiny, and came with a sticky coat. Really sticky and tacky - not at all like oil.
I read (I think on Sheldon Brown's website?) to leave that sticky tacky coat on as long as possible, since using a degreaser would remove it from the bearings and then even if you re-lube, it's still not as good as the new chain sticky coat.
However, after about 200 miles of riding and chain wipedowns, that sticky coat has picked up some serious nastiness. It got a bit better after a rag lightly doused with SimpleGreen, but it's still nearly black from all the dirt it's accumulated on that tacky coat.
I was going to run the chain cleaning device on it once and for all but was curious as to what the best thing to do would be for this relatively new chain.
I read (I think on Sheldon Brown's website?) to leave that sticky tacky coat on as long as possible, since using a degreaser would remove it from the bearings and then even if you re-lube, it's still not as good as the new chain sticky coat.
However, after about 200 miles of riding and chain wipedowns, that sticky coat has picked up some serious nastiness. It got a bit better after a rag lightly doused with SimpleGreen, but it's still nearly black from all the dirt it's accumulated on that tacky coat.
I was going to run the chain cleaning device on it once and for all but was curious as to what the best thing to do would be for this relatively new chain.
02-21-10, 12:13 PM
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Do a search. This one has been discussed a hundred times. Use something other than simple green for degreasing - mineral spirits is my favorite.
02-21-10, 01:44 PM
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As far as a search goes, flip a coin and save yourself a couple of hours. The bottom line is, eventually you will have to replace that chain too.
02-21-10, 03:48 PM
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I wipe mine new chains down with a damp cloth, then apply lube.
02-21-10, 04:17 PM
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leave it. it is good lube.
anyway, you're going to have to clean it when it gets mucky, so why do it before that happens?
anyway, you're going to have to clean it when it gets mucky, so why do it before that happens?
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coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
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02-21-10, 04:38 PM
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I clean the sticky stuff off the outside of the chain using solvent and rags. It's not lubing anything on the outside of the chain and it'll attract dirt. If the chain is packed in oil instead of sticky gunk, I leave that on, just wiping off the excess.
Simple green is not good for chains.
Simple green is not good for chains.
02-21-10, 07:27 PM
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02-22-10, 01:53 PM
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Isn't the problem with soaking in Simple Green making sure you rinse it out of inside the rollers thoroughly so the lube can stay in there when you apply it?
02-22-10, 02:01 PM
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I clean the sticky stuff off the outside of the chain using solvent and rags. It's not lubing anything on the outside of the chain and it'll attract dirt. If the chain is packed in oil instead of sticky gunk, I leave that on, just wiping off the excess.
Simple green is not good for chains.
Simple green is not good for chains.
02-22-10, 02:03 PM
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I avoid simple green- Park's cleaning solution is much better. I once cleaned my motorcycle chain using simple green and a chain cleaning tool- my chain was corroded in days. I forgot to rinse and lube it but left it to "dry" and it actually corroded the chain. I have never used that stuff since.
