Originally Posted by
mountainwalker
Is there any harm in using WD-40 as your degreaser if you already have it lying around? ?
WD-40 is handy stuff. If you don't have a can "lying around"... I'd buy some.
Originally Posted by
mountainwalker
And if you spray it on your chain and then wipe it off with a clean rag, will the WD-40 (or for that matter any degreaser) later break down the lube you drop onto the chain links from above to really get in there? How long should you let your chain dry out after a spraying and wiping down with degreaser or WD-40 before applying the lube, so that degreaser inside the chain links won't break down the lube later?
Whatever solvent or degreaser you use.... degreases. It isn't programed to, or smart enough to know, when it is time to stop breaking down the oil/grease. I clean/wash my chain with a little spray of Simple Green. Then I rinse away the oil AND the remaining Simple Green. I let the clean chain dry completely before reapplying oil. Then I wipe off the excess oil before riding again (usually the next day).
I only use WD-40 for spot cleaning. How people that use degreasers that
aren't water soluble.... I don't know.
There is almost as many correct and proper ways to lubricate a bicycle chain as there are cyclists. And every cyclist is convinced they do it the correct way.
And... I think they're right!