Originally Posted by zonatandem

Our way for keeping chains clean/lubricated (and avoiding tattoo) is the parafin wax method.
Been using it for 30+ years and works great for us.
Remove chains and clean in favorite solvent/degreaser. Wipe 'em down and let dry.
We use a one burner electric hotplate (outside, not in the house). In a large metal coffee can on the burner plate we drop in a couple chunks of canning wax (parafin). Some folks add other stuff like a bit if powdered graphite. Let the wax melt. Slowly/carefully drop in one chain and let it sit in the melted wax for several minutes. Remove chain with long handled pliers; avoid getting splashed by the liquid wax and don't touch the chain. Hang chain to dry.
Repeat with the next chain.
After chain is cooled off we wipe it with a rag and that'll get some of the excess wax off chain plates. Re-install chains.
For the next couple days you may see some blackish flakes (dried wax) on the chainstay. Just wipe it off.
Don't throw out the wax in the coffee can; it can be re-used several times before it needs to be replaced. Cheap and efficient.
With the wax method you get the lubricant where it needs to be: around the pins in chain. When chains cools, wax solidifies and makes for nice greaseless chain. No chain tattoos.
In a super dry climate like in the Sonoroan desert in Arizona, we can easily get around 3,000 miles off chain before re-waxing. In wetter climates you may need to re-wax a bit more often. If you hear the slightest squeak . . . re-wax chain.
It may not be as hi-tech and pricey as some of these magic lubes, but it does the job extremely well.
It worked well for us when we lived in cold/wet Michigan and even better in warm/dry Arizona.
Just our experience.
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem