Chain Wax Discussion thread

[Steve Vai]

I’m wondering if the strip chip does a good enough of a job to remove the factory grease so that the wax sticks to the chain as well as it would if you did a thorough degrease of the chain.

Is the wax lasting as long as it would had you stripped the chain with a degreaser?

Back when I used to wax chains, I used the strips. They totally work.

 

[one piece crank]

Anything to make if easier for people to go in the direction of wax.

Just like the benefits…

 

[stb222]

Just like the benefits…

The clean drivetrain is undeniable, its the only reason i do it

 

[Hair Face]

The clean drivetrain is undeniable, its the only reason i do it

100% it's the most noticeable benefit.

 

[serviceguy]

Thanks. After reading the replies from @shrpshtr325 thinking it makes more sense to get the Chain Stipper to use with both new and old chains vs Strip Chip for new chains only. A little skeptical that Strip Chip does the "magic".

@stb222 what did you use for the pictured chain?

I tried their Chain Stripper and it was one of the most expensive fails I experienced. After several 10 minutes soaks and agitation the chain did look cleaner but not clean. Good luck filtering the used Chain Stripper with a coffee filter, that's not going to happen. After a visually unsatisfactory 3 pass with the Silca Chain Stripper I used the ultrasonic cleaner and it finally came out as new, and the amount of residue released by the ultrasonic cleaner was still massive. Maybe user error, maybe not. I did two more used chains with the ultrasonic cleaner and they came out like brand new. So my go-to is strip-chip for the new chain and ultrasonic cleaner for the used chains...and don't forget cassette (sorry, cog) and chainring.

 

[JDurk]

I tried their Chain Stripper and it was one of the most expensive fails I experienced. After several 10 minutes soaks and agitation the chain did look cleaner but not clean. Good luck filtering the used Chain Stripper with a coffee filter, that's not going to happen. After a visually unsatisfactory 3 pass with the Silca Chain Stripper I used the ultrasonic cleaner and it finally came out as new, and the amount of residue released by the ultrasonic cleaner was still massive. Maybe user error, maybe not. I did two more used chains with the ultrasonic cleaner and they came out like brand new. So my go-to is strip-chip for the new chain and ultrasonic cleaner for the used chains...and don't forget cassette (sorry, cog) and chainring.

Already ordered yesterday, so will see how it goes. I'm well stocked up on mineral spirts, citrus degreaser and acetone. Would use the Chain Stripper for new chains and experiments on used, waxed chains. No ultrasonic cleaner, just a few empty rice containers used for agitation. Any used chains were dip waxed in the crockpot and have been cleaned with boiling water then dripped with Super Secret.

 

[Jeremy]

Stripper in a mason jar works fine for me. Easier than the 2 step spirits and alcohol.

 

[JDurk]

Stripper in a mason jar works fine for me. Easier than the 2 step spirits and alcohol.

That's what I'm hoping for. 2 step/3 step process takes too long.

 

[zmartene]

Stripper in a mason jar works fine for me. Easier than the 2 step spirits and alcohol.

I've also had good results with Silca stripper in a mason jar as a one-step cleaning process.

Mineral spirits, citrus, acetone?

 

[John the Plumber]

Back when I used to wax chains, I used the strips. They totally work.

Question why don't you wax chains anymore? I never did. Just clean and lube depending on what bike road, gravel or mountain bike. Replace chain when over 50%. On road bike around 6000 miles replace cassette use Ultegra not too expensive. mtb and gravel the chain still around 50%. Cassette depending on shifting.

 

[shrpshtr325]

Am I the only one wondering how Jeremy got a stripper in a mason jar? There's no way he managed it without a blender.....🤔

 

[Cassinonorth]

Am I the only one wondering how Jeremy got a stripper in a mason jar? There's no way he managed it without a blender.....🤔

 

[serviceguy]

Am I the only one wondering how Jeremy got a stripper in a mason jar? There's no way he managed it without a blender.....🤔

I can speak from first hand experience...it's a nasty business!

 

[Red Mosquito]

Where’s that Fargo wood chipper gif?

 

[shrpshtr325]

Where’s that Fargo wood chipper gif?

You have the same resources as the rest of us. Figure it out 😂

 

[Jeremy]

Am I the only one wondering how Jeremy got a stripper in a mason jar? There's no way he managed it without a blender.....🤔

That’s dark bro. lol

 

[serviceguy]

Where’s that Fargo wood chipper gif?

 

[Red Mosquito]

You have the same resources as the rest of us. Figure it out 😂

I knew someone else would do it if I waited long enough

 

[serviceguy]

I knew someone else would do it if I waited long enough

I had to, it was the combination of "Fargo" and "Wood Chipper" that immediately triggered my SCD (Salsa Compulsive Disorder). The reference to the movie was completely lost on me, at least initially.

 

[Jrzjoe]

View attachment 267705

That’s one ugly stripper
Read a review from a guy who was putting small parts (not bike parts) in a ziplock baggie full of his preferred cleaning product and putting that in his ultrasonic cleaner which was full of water. He said it worked the same but didn’t waste a bunch of cleaning product and the device stayed clean. Anyone try this?