Solvent for use when cleaning a chain

[rb58]

I know there are different opinions on this subject, but I am just about to put a new bottom bracket and chain rings on my bike. As I won't need to ride it for a few days and as the chain will be off the bike, I thought I'd take the opportunity to soak the chain in solvent to give it a deep clean. Then allow to dry before re-lubing and replacing it.

Any tips for what solvent to use? White Spirit?

Cheers

 

[numbnuts]

White Spirit works for me

 

[ianrauk]

White spirit works for me too. Would rather not so only when the chain is really full of crud.. however afterwards you need to make sure that you re-lube the chain good and proper like. The white spirit will strip out all the lube inside the chain links as well as outside.

I prefer to clean the chain with rags and re-lube on a very regular basis.

 

[Davidc]

I hardly ever do what you're proposing. The Mickle Method keeps my chains in excellent order without. (It's much like ianrauk suggests).

That said I have done a solvent clean when chains have got completely caked in mud. White spirit, then after drying out well 24 hours in a bath of lubricant to make sure there's something inside the rollers again.

Dare I say that the lubricant has usually been motor oil because it's cheap enough to use in a tub.

 

[rb58]

Great. Thanks. Other than a bath of motor oil, how else can you ensure the chain is properly lubed again?

I promise it'll be the Mickle Method from then on Ian :-)

 

[mickle]

If I had a pound for every time.......