Its a CHAIN. WL is chain lube. When you use a WL drip over the links(as you should for most lubes) with a rag to rub off the excess, the cosmoline dissolves right off. The solvent in WL is a very effective grease cutter, then it leaves its residue on the chain, which is favorable. Follow it up with whatever else is your mormal lube(since WL is so minimal as a lube on its own) and all is good. Finish Line Krytech has a similar cutting effect. Both have to be done in conjunction with a rag in order to work right though.