Eickelbt
Member
Pro mechanic here. I often wax chains for friends and customers- my process is below.
1) scrub clean in parts cleaner w/ nylon brush (parts washer fluid- diesel fuel 70%, automatic transmission fluid 30%- non combustible and amazing effectiveness)
2) let sit in mineral spirits overnight, shake periodically in the first hour.
3) shake in acetone next morning, let chain dry (usually an hour or so, you can help this w a compressor)
4) crock pot on low, let the chains sit in wax for 2 ish hours. I use an old coat hanger. Shake the chains in the first 10 minutes, allowing all bubbles to dissipate.
5) hang chains above crockpot, so wax drips back in. Dry it for as long as it takes to be stiff.
6) break the wax on a pvc pipe-NOT on the bike. This saves disc brake pads.
7) put the chain on, making sure you add a dab of lube to the master link. Run the chain through the cassette a few times.
Some notes-If the chain gets really dirty, I just boil it suspended in water for 10 minutes and dry it out, then back in the crock pot.
Sram tool hardened chains-x01/force and above- seem to react well to waxing, both 11 and 12 sp variations. They also last forever- as they should because they’re huge dollars.
Not sure if this helps much, but figured I’d try and help people avoid a few mistakes.
1) scrub clean in parts cleaner w/ nylon brush (parts washer fluid- diesel fuel 70%, automatic transmission fluid 30%- non combustible and amazing effectiveness)
2) let sit in mineral spirits overnight, shake periodically in the first hour.
3) shake in acetone next morning, let chain dry (usually an hour or so, you can help this w a compressor)
4) crock pot on low, let the chains sit in wax for 2 ish hours. I use an old coat hanger. Shake the chains in the first 10 minutes, allowing all bubbles to dissipate.
5) hang chains above crockpot, so wax drips back in. Dry it for as long as it takes to be stiff.
6) break the wax on a pvc pipe-NOT on the bike. This saves disc brake pads.
7) put the chain on, making sure you add a dab of lube to the master link. Run the chain through the cassette a few times.
Some notes-If the chain gets really dirty, I just boil it suspended in water for 10 minutes and dry it out, then back in the crock pot.
Sram tool hardened chains-x01/force and above- seem to react well to waxing, both 11 and 12 sp variations. They also last forever- as they should because they’re huge dollars.
Not sure if this helps much, but figured I’d try and help people avoid a few mistakes.