Best way to de-grease and re-grease a chain

[Bugner]

Is it worth buying one of the Park chain tool with the fluid compartments? or better just as easy to spray degreaser and wipe of with brush and rag? is it worth the money on the so called specialist equipment??

Which oil should I use as well?

 

[Smokin Joe]

A paintbrush and degreaser is all you need. Any kind of soaking in a bath will wash the internal grease from the pins and you will never replace it by lubing. Any oil will do, a cycle chain is only a low tech piece of kit. I use Finish line as it seems to last longer than most and it stays where you put it rather than dripping all over the floor.

 

[fossyant]

If the chain is gunky, get a new one..... they do stretch... and a quick link (i.e. you can detatch the chain without a tool)...

If you are a maintenance hack like me and the infamous Mickle ... it's oil it with a good lube (Finish Line stuff is what is used on my daily bike up to my 'Pro' level bike...), let dry, wipe chain clean with a rag (old t-shirts are great - I have loads...)...

If the chain is really gunky, chuck it....

You can soak it and clean it...but you have to be really keen at stripping all rubbish, getting it dried off, re-lubing in the joints, etc.....

If you really don't do much with a bike, then it's a new chain and rear sprockets....fairly often........

 

[mickle]

Infamous!?!

 

[Noodley]

Babywipes.

 

[goo_mason]

Babywipes.

+1

Babywipes are miracle cleaners. They wipe off oil no bother, and are also good for cleaning jobs all around the house (you can clean a sink in lightening-fast time with babywipes).

I'm surprised they didn't strip the skin off my daughter's bum when she was a baby though, given how effective a cleaner they are. I mean - think of the caustic products you'd usually use when you clean the house !

 

[swee'pea99]

Of course you can always do it properly...

 

[Fab Foodie]

Mickle Method...
With Baby wipes.

Read; http://www.kmcchain.com/index.php?ln=en&fn=service#1

Stay clear of the solvents.

 

[4F]

+2 baby wipes

 

[gavintc]

I have found this short thread very valuable. I have always used the bath method having been demonstrated on bike cleaning by a good friend (2nd cat rider). I will now review my procedures and methods. We do take so much of this bike stuff on personal advice and comment. It must be a nightmare for your average newcomer to the sport especially when baths are sold by Park are reputable bike tool company. Oh well - perhaps I need to find the aisle at the supermarket that sells babywipes -not something I have bought for over 20 yrs.

 

[4F]

I have tried the baths and also the remove and shake in an empty 2 litre bottle with white spirit. The baby wipe method is certainly the easiest and quickest.