anybody use the chain cleaner kit from wally world?! i think its made by white lightning and its $10. how does it perform in comparison to a park chain cleaner?
chain cleaner from walmart
myusername2014
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anybody use the chain cleaner kit from wally world?! i think its made by white lightning and its $10. how does it perform in comparison to a park chain cleaner?
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137 Posts
I got one - it looks similar to the Park tool and works fine. That said, after doing some research on chains - cleaning a chain with a solvent bath turns out to be a bad idea. Chain life depends on the heavy grease infused in the pins and links at the factory - wash it out and the chain is on its last legs. I washed a chain that was only a few months old with the contraption using solvent as directed, and it broke a week later. I admit I was shifting going up hill... The smart money (IMO) says to clean a chain with lube - simple and elegant.
SOOOO... I currently am using mobile one synthetic motor oil and mineral spirits to lube my chains - one guy tested it and said it works as well (wear wise) as the high priced bike specific chain lubes. I recently had the thought that I could fill the chain cleaner with that mix (cheap) and clean and lube at the same time.
Mike
SOOOO... I currently am using mobile one synthetic motor oil and mineral spirits to lube my chains - one guy tested it and said it works as well (wear wise) as the high priced bike specific chain lubes. I recently had the thought that I could fill the chain cleaner with that mix (cheap) and clean and lube at the same time.
Mike
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79 Posts
Thanks for the info. I will just clean with a rag, oil and mineral spirits.
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I have been using a Park Tool chain cleaner for 3 years and never had a chain fail. I Clean mine after 3-4 rides since I am in a dusty and sandy environment. Lube with a dry squirt on lube and wipe with a rag afterwards. If I kept that nasty heavy grease on my chain it would be a drive train killer with sand stuck to it all the time.
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137 Posts
There is plenty on the web about the wet vs dry lube debate, and the good or bad re the shipping grease on chains. Its a personal choice.
For my purposes, at this time, I like wet lube. I think it makes sense to wash the grit off the drive train with a brush, hose and soap - then lube.
I have no objection to the tool, I just agree with those (including the chain manufacturers) who say that solvent immersion is not productive.
Not an expert - just my reasonable opinion - complete with caveats
Mike
For my purposes, at this time, I like wet lube. I think it makes sense to wash the grit off the drive train with a brush, hose and soap - then lube.
I have no objection to the tool, I just agree with those (including the chain manufacturers) who say that solvent immersion is not productive.
Not an expert - just my reasonable opinion - complete with caveats
Mike
Joined
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137 Posts
Hey all,
I tested my theory re filling the chain cleaner with mineral spirits and mobile one to clean and lube in one shot. As you would assume it was a little messy - but not as bad as I figured it would be. I always put down some newspaper under the drivetrain when lubing. (A great free source of newsprint are the local advertising rags available at the entrance of many supermarkets.)
It worked and removed a most of the local fine sand from the chain, but the hose, brush and detergent does a more thorough job - and I don't have to figure out how to clean out the cleaning device. Could be of use in the winter or if you don't have easy access to a hose (apartment living).
Mike
I tested my theory re filling the chain cleaner with mineral spirits and mobile one to clean and lube in one shot. As you would assume it was a little messy - but not as bad as I figured it would be. I always put down some newspaper under the drivetrain when lubing. (A great free source of newsprint are the local advertising rags available at the entrance of many supermarkets.)
It worked and removed a most of the local fine sand from the chain, but the hose, brush and detergent does a more thorough job - and I don't have to figure out how to clean out the cleaning device. Could be of use in the winter or if you don't have easy access to a hose (apartment living).
Mike
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127 Posts
I'm old enough to have been one of the many who was devoted to waxing his chain after soaking it in solvent when I wanted to re-lube it. I used a 1 to 3 mixture of 10wt gear oil and parafin from the hardware store. Clean the chain in gasoline, heat up the wax/oil in an old tea kettle over my backpacking stove and lower the chain in, swish it around, and then take out to dry/harden. Its amazing I didn't burn down the whole neighborhood. I remember that it worked well on the old Sedisport 7 speed chains and would return that new chain sound/feel for 3 or 4 rides.
Now, I wipe off the chain with a rag and orange degreaser, re-lube with almost any chain lube I have and wipe off with a clean rag. Currently using the WD-40 Chain lube with pretty good results.
Now, I wipe off the chain with a rag and orange degreaser, re-lube with almost any chain lube I have and wipe off with a clean rag. Currently using the WD-40 Chain lube with pretty good results.
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