I recently picked up an old bike from the 40’s with a
crusty old skip tooth chain. Most all the rollers were
frozen and it was very stiff. I started by soaking it
down with some Liquid Wrench (I’ve had very good
luck with this product.)
I was able to free all but one roller with the Liquid Wrench.
Then I threw the chain in a can of parts cleaner and let it
soak over night. After I removed it from the parts cleaner I
scrubbed it with a wire brush and redipped it for another hour.
Pulled it back out and blew it dry with compressed air.
I thought about how to lubricate my freed up chain for a while.
Then remembered reading about waxing a chain on the net
somewhere. I thought to my self.
”I think I’ll go ahead and try this”
I did a google search for “waxing a chain” and found a
recommendation for using 80% paraffin wax and 20% bees wax.
Off to the hardware store I go.
I found a couple of old pots and pans at a thrift store on my
way back from the hardware store to use as a double boiler.
As a side note it is important not to have the top pan touch the
bottom of the bottom pan. You only want the water or steam
heating the top pan. Wax is flammable if you heat it directly
it could get to hot and start a fire.
I did this out side with an old coleman stove (as a just in case).
(As i think about it mabye my tailgate was not the best spot either.)
I boiled the chain for an hour and a half. Looking at it once in
a while to see if bubbles were still coming from the chain.
When the bubbles stop hopefully all the air pockets are filled
with wax. I had big bubbles at first and then they got smaller
and smaller. I stirred it several times with an old spoke to help
work the wax into the rollers.
I fished out the chain with the spoke and hung it up to cool.
This is the finished product.
I’ll let everyone know how this works out.
From what I read on the net this should be
good for at least 200 miles hopefully more.
I did like the outcome and think I’ll try it on a
daily rider to get a better test on durability.
Ponytailmike
Mike
crusty old skip tooth chain. Most all the rollers were
frozen and it was very stiff. I started by soaking it
down with some Liquid Wrench (I’ve had very good
luck with this product.)
I was able to free all but one roller with the Liquid Wrench.
Then I threw the chain in a can of parts cleaner and let it
soak over night. After I removed it from the parts cleaner I
scrubbed it with a wire brush and redipped it for another hour.
Pulled it back out and blew it dry with compressed air.
I thought about how to lubricate my freed up chain for a while.
Then remembered reading about waxing a chain on the net
somewhere. I thought to my self.
”I think I’ll go ahead and try this”
I did a google search for “waxing a chain” and found a
recommendation for using 80% paraffin wax and 20% bees wax.
Off to the hardware store I go.
I found a couple of old pots and pans at a thrift store on my
way back from the hardware store to use as a double boiler.
As a side note it is important not to have the top pan touch the
bottom of the bottom pan. You only want the water or steam
heating the top pan. Wax is flammable if you heat it directly
it could get to hot and start a fire.
I did this out side with an old coleman stove (as a just in case).
(As i think about it mabye my tailgate was not the best spot either.)
I boiled the chain for an hour and a half. Looking at it once in
a while to see if bubbles were still coming from the chain.
When the bubbles stop hopefully all the air pockets are filled
with wax. I had big bubbles at first and then they got smaller
and smaller. I stirred it several times with an old spoke to help
work the wax into the rollers.
I fished out the chain with the spoke and hung it up to cool.
This is the finished product.
I’ll let everyone know how this works out.
From what I read on the net this should be
good for at least 200 miles hopefully more.
I did like the outcome and think I’ll try it on a
daily rider to get a better test on durability.
Ponytailmike
Mike
