brianz

I got some of that "dry" chain lube stuff and the instructions say to degrease the chain first. How do I go about doing that?

deadly downtube

use "degreaser" on it... they sell it at the hardware store... don't inhale too deeply, don't get in your eyes or other orifices.

labratmatt

If you want a deep clean, follow this:

1. Remove chain and place in container.
2. Fill container with engine degreaser. You only need to fill so that it covers the top of the chain. (Found cheaply at hardware, discount, and auto stores. Shouldn't be more than a couple of dollars for a can.)
3. Let chain soak for a couple of hours or more. If possible, put the chain on top of a washer or clothes dryer for a cycle or two to knock the nasty bits loose.
4. Wash chain down with water. Get that nasty degreaser off there.
5. Put chain back on fixie (or SS).
6. Lube.

dolface

sheldon sez "drop the chain into a plastic Coke bottle with a couple of ounces of un-diluted citrus degreaser, cap it, and shake thoroughly. Fish the chain out with a spoke, rinse in water, and you are all set! (I am told that Pepsi bottles also work, and are easier to remove the chain from, because they have a wider mouth...but I'm a Coke guy, not a Pepsi guy.)"

jinx_removing

I posted this in a thread a while back. This is the best way to clean a chain as far as I know:

1) Remove chain
2) Place chain in two liter bottle
3) Pour about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of degreaser in the bottle(it is important to note that the chain need not be totally immersed in degreaser)
4) Put cap on bottle and shake for about a minute and let it sit for a few minutes
5) Repeat step 4 as many times as you wish, I only do it twice
6) Use a screwdriver or other long thin object to remove the chain from the bottle(much harder than it sounds. Most of the time I just end up cutting the bottle open)
7) Run the chain under extremely hot water for a minute or so
8) Try to shake off/wipe off as much excess water as possible let sit until dry
9) Place chain on bike and lube

HereNT

Wasn't someone suggesting putting a string through one side of the chain and running it out of the 2 liter so it was even easier to get the chain out in that last thread?

absntr

Yep - works like a charm.

Erich Zann

yes i do this. i use hydro-seal. purchase at your local automotive store.

wagathon

Sop it down good at the bottom of the chain, over its whole length with White Lightening by turning the pedals backwards, and then then "dry" it off with a cotton towel while it is still wet. Apply a second time but let it turn to wax before using a cotton towel to remove the excess. Then, throw away the "dry" chain lube and you are ready to go.

eblaska

A simple technique that I use is to spray some wd-40 into a wrag. Put your hand on the chain and move the pedals around so that the chain goes around a couple times. Then after that is said and done I take a clean rag and do the same thing, then I put the lube on.

absntr

WD-40 isn't a degreaser though. And it's not good for your chain. Essentially, you're adding a cheap all-purpose grease and then putting another lubricant on top. That's double muck and will attrack all sorts of nasty gunk. Say no to WD-40!

eblaska

Actually, it's probably one of the greatest degreasers for a bike chain I believe. If you do it how I said it. I've been working with it in the Lab at my school on chains for about 2 months now and at my work. You have wipe with a clean towel and you just put the WD-40 on the towel and don't spray it on the chain directly and it works wonders and it will take all the "Nasty Gunk" out. It is perfect for degreasing because of the different effects on the lubricants/teflon lubricants especially.

deadly downtube

WD-40 bleh

BadAssBiker

ahhh a WD-40 expert.

LóFarkas

WD-40 does dissolve grease and stuff pretty well. I use it on my cogs. But all the guys here are talking about cleaning the chain fully, first and foremost, inside to get those nasty quartz crystals out. For that, you do have to soak the thing in something, not just rub it nice and shiny.

eblaska

I'm awesome and I'm a ninja ;l

flythebike

Also a good idea to put a magnet in the bucket to attract the small bits of metal that flake off.

chimblysweep

or, there's the once-a-week quickie method.
1. Buy Simple Green towels (disposable, biodegradable towels pre-soaked in the stuff)
2. Hold one around chain, crank slowly.
3. Be careful not to get hand/towel cranked into cog/chainring (ouch!)