A warning for Boeshield T9
#1
A warning for Boeshield T9
I have been trying out different lubes for a few years now. A different lube for each bike (4)
I started to use T9 on my MTB and was impressed with ease of application, how smooth the chain moved and chain cleaning was a minimum. Well, 2 years later and I wanted to change transmission. The rear derailleur, chain ring and cassette were covered in a very dense film of T9. Very, very difficult to remove. Several hours and I'm still working on it.
Just wanted to tell my experience if you are considering this product
I started to use T9 on my MTB and was impressed with ease of application, how smooth the chain moved and chain cleaning was a minimum. Well, 2 years later and I wanted to change transmission. The rear derailleur, chain ring and cassette were covered in a very dense film of T9. Very, very difficult to remove. Several hours and I'm still working on it.
Just wanted to tell my experience if you are considering this product
#2
Full Member

Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 288
Likes: 174
I used Boeshield T-9 Bicycle Lubricant on a 90s-vintage hybrid that I ride exclusively on the road; a bit more than 5000 km in a period of about one year.
It worked well for me, and I did not experience the amount of build-up that you describe. Perhaps we were using it differently.
It worked well for me, and I did not experience the amount of build-up that you describe. Perhaps we were using it differently.
#6
Senior Member


Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 398
From: Michigan
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
T-9 bought here in gallon containers, there on various places on 10+ bikes in the household and in other applications, often in combinations with other ingredients, in particular enhancing its staying power. It has been developed for airplanes to stay put and provide corrosion protection. When it comes off, it is a negative in my applications.
#7
Ha ha right? I use Boeshield T-9 regularly and I like it for what it is. It was developed by Boeing as a penetrating protectant. It is supposed to dry leaving a waxy coating behind. Everything I store in long term boxes/bins get sprayed down with it with the understanding that it will need some amount of solvent cleaning to look its best later on down the road. This little snip from their website: "T-9’s unique formulation of solvents and waxes was engineered to penetrate metal crevices deeply, displace moisture, dissolve minor corrosion, and leave a clean, waxy coating with long-lasting durability" https://boeshield.com/about/
#8
Senior Member

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,054
Likes: 164
From: Mountain Brook. AL
As they say, build up and longevity are a feature, not a bug, Boeshield's primary purpose is as a
corrosion preventative, not a lubricant, though it does lube well. A review of the marine literature
where salt water spray is used for months as a test of corrosion inhibition capacity of various
preparations suggests Boeshield stacks up well for longevity.
corrosion preventative, not a lubricant, though it does lube well. A review of the marine literature
where salt water spray is used for months as a test of corrosion inhibition capacity of various
preparations suggests Boeshield stacks up well for longevity.
#10
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,475
Likes: 4,880
From: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, 86 De Rosa Pro, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Not sure if there is difference between T-9 and what is marketed as bicycle specific. T-9 was specified to be used on the joints of an aluminum framed folding kayak I had..... pretty much certain if not used the joints would freeze and it would not fold anymore
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
#11
#12
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 154
Likes: 123
From: Sebring, Florida
Bikes: Emonda, Speed Concept, A1985 Bianchi and a Stache, Madone all Trek except the Bianchi.
My bike shop guy recommended it to me many years ago and I’ve been using it ever since, no problem with my chain.
Here’s a problem I have had though, bottom bracket bearings! I live/ride in central Florida’s heat and humidity, and I sweat a lot all summer on a typical 50 mile, 3 hr ride, 5 days a week. How long should a bottom bracket bearing last and is there any way to get some T9 down in there to make it last longer? I seem to go through at least 1 a year (8,000-10,000 miles) sometimes 2 per year. I almost never ride in the rain or on wet roads, but I’m sure some of my sweat is getting in there. Any way to stop that?
Here’s a problem I have had though, bottom bracket bearings! I live/ride in central Florida’s heat and humidity, and I sweat a lot all summer on a typical 50 mile, 3 hr ride, 5 days a week. How long should a bottom bracket bearing last and is there any way to get some T9 down in there to make it last longer? I seem to go through at least 1 a year (8,000-10,000 miles) sometimes 2 per year. I almost never ride in the rain or on wet roads, but I’m sure some of my sweat is getting in there. Any way to stop that?
#13
Senior Member


Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 111
I've seen T-9 build up to an impossible to remove sludge before. It is somewhat random when it happens, maybe 1 in 100 bikes. My theory was riders that lube the chain and ride right away, so it ends up all over the place even if they try to wipe the chain with a rag.
#14
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 154
Likes: 123
From: Sebring, Florida
Bikes: Emonda, Speed Concept, A1985 Bianchi and a Stache, Madone all Trek except the Bianchi.
I clean my chain with the 3 wheel brush scrubber every 200 miles and then lube it with T9, spin it a few times then put a rag around it and spin it a few more times, no problems with buildup. My problem is trying to lube/clean the bottom bracket. Do I have to pull the crank arm off or can I just squirt a little T9 down there and spin it in?
#15
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,475
Likes: 4,880
From: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, 86 De Rosa Pro, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
I clean my chain with the 3 wheel brush scrubber every 200 miles and then lube it with T9, spin it a few times then put a rag around it and spin it a few more times, no problems with buildup. My problem is trying to lube/clean the bottom bracket. Do I have to pull the crank arm off or can I just squirt a little T9 down there and spin it in?
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
#16
Ha ha right? I use Boeshield T-9 regularly and I like it for what it is. It was developed by Boeing as a penetrating protectant. It is supposed to dry leaving a waxy coating behind. Everything I store in long term boxes/bins get sprayed down with it with the understanding that it will need some amount of solvent cleaning to look its best later on down the road. This little snip from their website: "T-9’s unique formulation of solvents and waxes was engineered to penetrate metal crevices deeply, displace moisture, dissolve minor corrosion, and leave a clean, waxy coating with long-lasting durability" https://boeshield.com/about/
#17
Senior Member


Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,139
Likes: 876
Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
One of my daughters in Portland tried T-9 (not Boeshield chain lube) on her chain, I got the buildup off easily with OMS so I suspect any degreaser would work.
#18
Odorless mineral spirits is my first choice because it is cheap when purchased in large cans from the paint thinner section of your local hardware store and can be reused indefinitely to soak small parts in. Just like gunked up grease, the T-9 residue will likely need some scrubbing with an old tooth brush to get it all off. The stinky solvent fumes pretty much rise exponentially when using other paint thinners or de greasers so bear that in mind. Never gasoline.
Edit: If talking frame tubes, I have found that any automotive paste wax will dissolve the T-9 residue with some gentle massage but just watch out for grit on your paint/chrome.
Edit: If talking frame tubes, I have found that any automotive paste wax will dissolve the T-9 residue with some gentle massage but just watch out for grit on your paint/chrome.
Last edited by FBOATSB; 11-14-21 at 08:31 AM.
#19
Senior Member


Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 398
From: Michigan
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
Here’s a problem I have had though, bottom bracket bearings! I live/ride in central Florida’s heat and humidity, and I sweat a lot all summer on a typical 50 mile, 3 hr ride, 5 days a week. How long should a bottom bracket bearing last and is there any way to get some T9 down in there to make it last longer? I seem to go through at least 1 a year (8,000-10,000 miles) sometimes 2 per year. I almost never ride in the rain or on wet roads, but I’m sure some of my sweat is getting in there. Any way to stop that?
#20
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 154
Likes: 123
From: Sebring, Florida
Bikes: Emonda, Speed Concept, A1985 Bianchi and a Stache, Madone all Trek except the Bianchi.
Have you actually examined the bearings? Are you sure the corrosion is the problem?? In any case, the solution to corroding bearings is the ceramic version of those. The ceramic bearings are often ridiculed in the cycling context, but they are a 'put them on and forget it' solution for the corrosion.
#21
Senior Member


Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 398
From: Michigan
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
When bearings are bought from bike part suppliers, they are usually seriously marked up. For the same price you might be able to get ceramic bearings from a supplier for whom the bearings represent the main line of business. I cannot tell you what size you need for your bottom bracket. From my records, I bought Enduro bearings.
#22
Have you actually examined the bearings? Are you sure the corrosion is the problem?? In any case, the solution to corroding bearings is the ceramic version of those. The ceramic bearings are often ridiculed in the cycling context, but they are a 'put them on and forget it' solution for the corrosion.
#23
Senior Member


Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 398
From: Michigan
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
#24
Odorless mineral spirits is my first choice because it is cheap when purchased in large cans from the paint thinner section of your local hardware store and can be reused indefinitely to soak small parts in. Just like gunked up grease, the T-9 residue will likely need some scrubbing with an old tooth brush to get it all off. The stinky solvent fumes pretty much rise exponentially when using other paint thinners or de greasers so bear that in mind. Never gasoline.
Edit: If talking frame tubes, I have found that any automotive paste wax will dissolve the T-9 residue with some gentle massage but just watch out for grit on your paint/chrome.
Edit: If talking frame tubes, I have found that any automotive paste wax will dissolve the T-9 residue with some gentle massage but just watch out for grit on your paint/chrome.
#25
The cartridge ceramic bearings for BB would normally have corrosion resistant races, see here. Enduro also offer SS bearings that are a cheaper option than ceramic. Enduro resellers, also on Ebay, may offer lower prices than the manufacturer.



