Chain Cleaning

[Miztaziggy]

What is the best way to clean a chain and what products do you recommend?

Personally, I use brake or chain cleaner in an aerosol can with a chain brush (U shaped brush specifically for chains), but it is always such a pain in the ass. The chain brush ends up just rubbing black gunky stuff on the chain and you have to spray so much chain cleaner to wash it off get it to look new again.

How often do you clean the chain, and how long after cleaning do you lube the chain?

[Wicky]

A Scottoiler lubricates and keeps the chain clean at the same time.

[Miztaziggy]

A Scottoiler lubricates and keeps the chain clean at the same time.

I used to have one on the Storm, but dont now. I might buy one at some point, but they are £70 and I cant really afford one now after stretching myself to buy 2 bikes

[AMCQ46]

White spirits, or paraffin and an old tooth brush

[Wicky]

Cheaper than a new chain and they come up second-hand for about £35-40 on fleaby.

[lloydie]

i take mine off and soak it in paraffin then get the tooth brush on it .not my tooth brush but hers .
rinse and lube then refit .

[Miztaziggy]

i take mine off and soak it in paraffin then get the tooth brush on it .not my tooth brush but hers .
rinse and lube then refit .

Hahahaha lovely

Will try paraffin, bet it's cheaper than the tins of chain cleaner spray

[whitestorm pete]

i nab some of the de-greasent from the tank at work soak a good thick bit of rag in it hold it round the chain a spin the back wheel . nout fancie but works a treat

[tattoo]

i use morrisons own WD40 and a toothbrush to clean my chain...at £1.50 a tin it's as cheap as chips

[VTRDark]

I use paraffin as well, usually in a rag and spinning the wheel. Then after and initial good clean I would use old engine oil on a rag and spin the wheel just to coat it all and give it some protection from the elements. For the O rings I use Muc off chain lube. I also carry a small can of this under my seat.

(:-})

[benny hedges]

White spirits, or paraffin and an old tooth brush

wheel off, chain hanging down into a washing up bowl with a few L of diesel.
good scrub with a washing sponge then rag it all off.
relube - refit wheel. done.

did mine today

diesel is fkin brilliant for cleaning all the crap off, and washes off with soapy water.

[alan g]

Give Gunk a try, I use about 10% Gunk mixed with paraffin. Paint it on with an old paint brush and let it run through the links, then wash it off with a hose pipe...job done.
Gunk is water soluble but costs about £12 for 2.5 l, but if you dilute the stuff with paraffin it is a lot cheaper, and still allows you to wash it off without leaving any residue. 1/2 a margarine tub will de-grease all your chain with some left over for the other dirty bits

[bigtwinthing]

i use morrisons own WD40 and a toothbrush to clean my chain...at £1.50 a tin it's as cheap as chips

WD40 is ok but it contains water!!! use GT85 its much better and you can liberably spray this anywhere but brake discs etc.its even makes trim look good.

[alternative_vtr]

Another thumbs up for paraffin and a paintbrush works well and doesn't damage O rings. Comes up lovely and clean.

[Virt]

I have a Scott oiler on mine so don't do much, except when it looks rather dire I'll murder it with a tooth brush