cleaning, degreasing and lubing... 3 in 1 oil?
09-13-09, 08:22 PM
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cleaning, degreasing and lubing... 3 in 1 oil?
So I just want to make sure i'm not messing up my bikes. I have only recently begun doing my own maintenance and such, and because it's what i have on hand, I have used car engine de-greaser to to clean the cogs and chain and such, and 3 in 1 oil to lube everything.
I know i can get bike specific things to do this stuff, but is it okay to use the other stuff? it seems to work well...
I know i can get bike specific things to do this stuff, but is it okay to use the other stuff? it seems to work well...
09-13-09, 08:35 PM
#2
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A lot of black goo builds up after using 3 in 1 oil a few times, I would avoid it. That stuff is hard to clean off once it is on everything. There are so many good bike lubes out there, you should try them and see what works best for you. Some people prefer a waxy lube for the chain, others use light oil. There are also lubes with Teflon.
09-13-09, 10:04 PM
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Finish Line Teflon or TriFlow Teflon are very good - if you like Teflon.
For a paraffin-base (wax) lube - Boeshield T-9 is the 'Stuff.'
Get rid of the 3-in-1. Yuck!
For a paraffin-base (wax) lube - Boeshield T-9 is the 'Stuff.'
Get rid of the 3-in-1. Yuck!
09-13-09, 11:30 PM
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3 in 1 will attract dirt and break down lickity-spit. Save having to clean everything every week. Clean everything with good solvents - WD-40 is fine. And then use good oil like Finish Line to lube with. On the chain - one drop per link - after the chain is dried from any cleaning you have done.
No one who has other options and good educational materials uses 3 in 1 anymore. That went out in the 1970's.
No one who has other options and good educational materials uses 3 in 1 anymore. That went out in the 1970's.
09-14-09, 06:26 AM
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3 in 1 will attract dirt and break down lickity-spit. Save having to clean everything every week. Clean everything with good solvents - WD-40 is fine. And then use good oil like Finish Line to lube with. On the chain - one drop per link - after the chain is dried from any cleaning you have done.
No one who has other options and good educational materials uses 3 in 1 anymore. That went out in the 1970's.
No one who has other options and good educational materials uses 3 in 1 anymore. That went out in the 1970's.
09-14-09, 07:20 AM
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09-14-09, 07:32 AM
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If it isn't bike specific, I do not use it on my bike.
WD-40 makes a good lube for about 10 seconds, too. It debuted as a solvent for cleaning cylinder walls in military jeeps, but yet people use it on their bikes as a lube. personally, I've never seen an occasion where I said, "Damn, I need some WD-40" other than having a wet distributor cap once back in the '70's. That was the only time I ever owned a can of the stuff.
Use whatever you think you need. I doubt that two people on this forum/board/thread will suggest the same thing.
Last edited by thompsonpost; 09-14-09 at 07:44 AM.
09-14-09, 07:43 AM
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IIRC, 3-in-1 has a vegetable oil base and thus tends to convert into a gummy residue over time.
09-14-09, 08:00 AM
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Yeah. Chain lube is one of those questions that I think belongs on the religion and politics forum. I find it interesting how strongly folks hold such opposite opinions.
09-14-09, 08:40 AM
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Why do people think 3 in 1 contains vegetable oil???
https://www.wd40company.com/files/pdf...in58412697.pdf
https://www.wd40company.com/files/pdf...in58412697.pdf
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09-14-09, 09:35 AM
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09-14-09, 09:57 AM
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Quoting directly from, "Bicycle Maintenance & Repair" 5th edition, by Todd Downs, page 171: On chain cleaning: "Whatever you do, don't use three-in-one oil: It's vegetable-based, which means it will gum up your chain, and it doesn't protect against wear as well as lubricant that is mineral-oil based."
Coming from this book and author, that would make the decision for me about this product.
Coming from this book and author, that would make the decision for me about this product.
09-14-09, 10:00 AM
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Why do people think 3 in 1 contains vegetable oil???
https://www.wd40company.com/files/pdf...in58412697.pdf
https://www.wd40company.com/files/pdf...in58412697.pdf
09-14-09, 10:12 AM
#18
aka Phil Jungels
It is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naphthenic_oil
09-14-09, 10:41 AM
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Still not convinced 3 in 1 is vegetable oil based. From the wikipedia link above - "Naphthenic oil is a type of mineral oil...". Mineral oils are petroleum based, not plant based.
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09-14-09, 10:56 AM
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Chain lube discussion to be continued........ad infinitum.......ad nauseum...........
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09-14-09, 11:05 AM
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I'm not going to say anything because last time someone said what I think about chain lube they were permanently banned from the forum.
Let it suffice to say that this forum is heavily censored and you should draw your own conclusions.
Let it suffice to say that this forum is heavily censored and you should draw your own conclusions.
Last edited by chucky; 09-14-09 at 11:16 AM.
09-14-09, 12:01 PM
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So you're a sock-puppet?
Regards "Mineral Oil" coming from Petroleum - what do you think petroleum comes from?
Regards "Mineral Oil" coming from Petroleum - what do you think petroleum comes from?
09-14-09, 12:49 PM
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Will it work? Yes.
Will it be perfect? no.
Will anything be perfect? no.
Once on a dare, I repacked a bottom bracket with crisco. It worked fine, and after many miles I removed it, not because the lubricative properties broke down, but because it began to smell.
I've also stopped doing things on dares, it took me forever to get the smell out.
Will it be perfect? no.
Will anything be perfect? no.
Once on a dare, I repacked a bottom bracket with crisco. It worked fine, and after many miles I removed it, not because the lubricative properties broke down, but because it began to smell.
I've also stopped doing things on dares, it took me forever to get the smell out.
