Originally Posted by
canklecat
The tricky bit to waxing is completely stripping the original lube.
This is the part I am not accomplishing.
Originally Posted by
canklecat
So I tried Rock 'n' Roll Absolute Dry and Gold. Reportedly both use naphtha and PTFE powder ("Teflon"), with Gold adding a bit of light oil lube. Both run very slick and reasonably clean, even the Gold despite the addition of a bit of oil. The Gold lasts longer per application and runs quieter. So I've stayed with RnR Gold for more than a year.
I don't use RnR lubes as they recommend. Instead of pouring it on liberally, I use a needle dropper and apply about a dozen drops randomly just before every ride, starting with a clean but not degreased chain. Eventually it distributes to the entire chain. So far, so good. Applying it as RnR suggests will go through a bottle very quickly and can get expensive.
There is a low VOC version for California so I doubt that the solvent is naphtha, given that naphtha is not available as a solvent at any of the home improvement stores. I used Rock N Roll Extreme before and applied only a drop per chain roller, both preceded and followed by backpedaling and wiping. Within a 100 to 150 miles the chain would develop the greasing black paste, which is why I want to try waxing. If waxing does not work out I will probably switch to Rock N Roll Gold.