Can you use any of this stuff in an ultrasonic cleaner? Keeping the heating element off, of course.
Great question, I totally want to know too!
That is a REALLY good idea! Thank you.
Iâve moved on. The heavy lifting is done by Orange Clean, or Silcaâs cleaner. Ultra sonic with Shooters Choice Ultra sonic cleaning solution. Hot water and wait for itâŚ
Everclear, grain alcohol being 190 proof and a heat gun. Waxed chains get a different process.
1 Like
Whatâs your full process taking a new chain or lightly used chain to fully degrease preparing it for waxing? especially since you are not using Mineral Spirits
Iâve taken my clue from Oz cycles. First, soak the chain in gasoline, then ultrasound with heat and simple green. Then just water. Then soak in denatured alcohol, to dry out all the water. Ready for wax after that.
Most I have seen report on preparing chains largely agree and say absolutely do not use gasoline or petroleum based products to degrease/clean.
1 Like
Regular mineral spirits are petroleum based too. The usual number one reason for recommending against gasoline is its very low flashpoint (that is, itâs very flammable). Second would probably be the high VOC level (lots of unpleasant toxic fumes) and third that the particular solvents in it tend to be more toxic than in mineral spirits. But itâll do the job really well.
Another point against it: Gasoline also tends to make any cloth it soaks into very flammable, sometimes (though rarely) to the point of spontaneous combustion.
2 Likes
My bad I did not mean to say avoid all petroleum based. I think I meant to say most donât recommend âpetrolâ or diesel to clean chains. I donât think the flash point or toxic fumes are that big of a deal if one is not cooking or if using outside/well ventilated. I am not that worried about it being flammable or I would never go near my lawn mower. Avoid stupid moves with gasolines/petrol and would be fine.
I believe the main reason to avoid gasolines/diesels/petrol is that they leave a heavy film behind, and this can block a lubes or wax ability to bond to chain metal. Mineral spirits is usually the preferred.
Also not that soaking too long could also cause corrosion with mineral spirits, but gasolines/diesels err further on that side of corrosion and weakening metals
I use the gasoline outside, and dispose of it outside. No rags or cloth involved. The chain goes into the ultrasonic cleaner with a strong detergent to remove all of the petroleum based residue and any dissolved wax or grease. Then into pure water into the ultrasonic cleaner after rinsing extesively to remove the detergent. Then shaken into denatured alcohol to remove the water. Youâre left with a very clean dry chain that takes up wax easily.
@T_Field I believe the zerofriction guy has tested and probably comes down to marginal watt differences that he has measured which suggests at the pins better not using petrols⌠If not that from them, then the metal brittleness could be a factor. Donât trust me - I am just reporting what the pros on the subject say:
-âSome degreasers / petrols etc â may cause hydrogen embrittlement /
corrosion stress crackingâ cited from;
https://zerofrictioncycling.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Chain-Prep-FAQ-Guide.pdf
Standard Simple Green should not be used as it can cause embrittlement. Using it to quickly degrease something probably wonât cause any issues but better to use mineral spirits or citrus degreaser. Regular mineral spirits are fine and I often leave a chain to soak in them for days or longer. Simple Green Extreme/Aircraft is okay to use as a degreaser.
I forgot a chain soaking in Simple Green overnight a few years ago and the plates turned very dark.
I did similar, except worse. Classic, if a little is good, a lot must be better move: I left my chain soaking in Simple Green for a week before rewaxing. On the next ride it broke twice and on close inspection (after the second break) I realized it was riddled with cracks.
I posted about it here with photos: Chain Waxing Tutorial - #582 by JimA
3 Likes
Thanks for the link. He appears to be in Australia. I donât know about the composition of gasoline in Oz. Here in the US, there is very little if any hydrogen sulfide in gasoline, which is what is likely the cause of hydrogen weakening. I get close to 3000 miles per waxing, and havenât had any problems with chain failure.
3000miles before you need to rewax or 3000miles before your chain is dead?
First is very long, latter quite short.
1 Like
I tried with Dreft/Fairy (dish soap) or whatever itâs called and got quite a bit of rust on my new chain
Last year I crossed the country with a chain that had about 500 miles on it to start. All kinds of weather including days in the rain. I finally had to replace the chain after about 3000 miles into the trip. It shifted well and was quiet without any additional lubrication up to the end.
What kind of witchcraft is this. After 500km mine starts being noisy. And thatâs on the trainer.
4 Likes
Never clean with gasoline. I canât believe this is still a thing.
1 Like
gasoline > degreaser (to get rid of the oily film residue) > methylated spirits/denatured alcohol.
Works perfectly everytime.
I tried mineral turps/white spirits prior to using gasoline and I found that mineral turps/white spirits did not remove entirely the grease inside or even on the outside of the chain. Gasoline removed it all.
For those not keen on using gasoline, what are your suggestions for an alternative that does just as good a job?