Originally Posted by
msu2001la
OK - I've read most of this thread and am ready to dive in. I've got a $14 Amazon crock pot and some Silca Super Secret wax on the way. I plan to buy a new chain and immediately start waxing. A few questions that have probably been answered at some point in the last 31 pages, but I'm hoping someone can provide some quick answers:
1. I'm planning to strip the lube from the existing chain, and also from a new chain that I just bought - does Mineral Spirits followed by a rinse with Denatured Alcohol/Acetone sound correct for this process? I got that from CyclingTips, which makes it seem like the cleaning process is pretty critical for the first time.
2. How long do I need to let the chain dry after cleaning before waxing can begin?
3. How long does the chain need to sit in the hot/melted wax? Am I agitating it the entire time or letting it "simmer"?
4. Some videos show people measuring the temperature of the wax. The settings on a cheap crock pot are basically "off-low-high". I can measure with a thermometer, but is this typically a "low" setting or "high"?
5. Is there a reason some people wax the quick links separately?
6. How long after waxing do I need to wait before breaking the links and re-installing?
Thanks.
i've experimented with #2, & after the chain has been used out in the dirty environment, the personal pref wait time to dry before dropping it into the wax seemed to be related to the chain's temp. The cleaner makes the metal cold, & once that cold leaves the metal, I use that as the opportune time to drop it in the molten wax.
usually when the chain is dropped in, I move on to doing a simple cleaning/inspection of the bicycle. Once that is wrapped up, I remove the chain from the hot wax.
I don't let the wax "boil". A medium-low heat seems to work. If the wax is gassing, it's too hot imo.
Maybe they dont want to lose the links? I just slide them on to the dedicated spoke first followed by the chain. No issues yet.
I'll let the wax in the pot cool, which gives me the time needed to tidy up the area, & to lastly destiff the links & install the ready to go chain.