Silca hot waxing

[JonBuoy]

I think I've used petrol once, but then stopped when I read about hydrogen embrittlement.

I've heard the opinion that KMC doesn't take wax that well, no matter how well it is cleaned first.

I'm new to the chain waxing thing, but so far I've just put used chains back in the slow cooker. The most preparation I've done is a quick wipe down with an old towel. I quite like the idea of the "two pots" method, where the first one is just to get the old dirty wax off, and the second one applies the fresh wax.

BTW, there are, allegedly, lots of counterfeit YBN chains around. I got mine from InaSpin.

I'm not a metallurgist but I'm pretty sure that petrol won't cause hydrogen embrittlement. Citrus degreaser could well do.

 

[scotsbikester]

I'm not a metallurgist but I'm pretty sure that petrol won't cause hydrogen embrittlement. Citrus degreaser could well do.

I'm pretty sure you're right.

 

[Binky]

Well the minimal amount of use with factory grease chain is unlikely to have much of an effect. I literally tried it on the bike stand in the garage and ran through the cassette so yes a minute amount of grease could have been transferred onto drivetrain but at the end of the day it's a bicycle not an F1 car or space ship so I'll take my chances. I've done two decent rides on bike with the waxed chain and it's all good.

I've also waxed up a second brand new chain using Strip Chip so I'll swop them over when needed. Apparently 150-200 miles seems to be the average figure. I intend to keep this bike for dry use only(how long that lasts is to be seen), so chain should stay good for a reasonable time.
As it happens, I was getting around similar mileage using Squirt drip wax so I thought a hot wax might be longer lasting inbetween applications.
Time will tell.

 

[Binky]

I think I've used petrol once, but then stopped when I read about hydrogen embrittlement.

I've heard the opinion that KMC doesn't take wax that well, no matter how well it is cleaned first.

I'm new to the chain waxing thing, but so far I've just put used chains back in the slow cooker. The most preparation I've done is a quick wipe down with an old towel. I quite like the idea of the "two pots" method, where the first one is just to get the old dirty wax off, and the second one applies the fresh wax.

BTW, there are, allegedly, lots of counterfeit YBN chains around. I got mine from InaSpin.

Apparently the best and/or easiest way to remove old wax is to just boil chain in water. Old wax melts and rises to the surface leaving a clean chain.
As and when required I'll be trying this method. Might not do it in front of wife with the best pot though....

 

[scotsbikester]

Well the minimal amount of use with factory grease chain is unlikely to have much of an effect. I literally tried it on the bike stand in the garage and ran through the cassette so yes a minute amount of grease could have been transferred onto drivetrain but at the end of the day it's a bicycle not an F1 car or space ship so I'll take my chances. I've done two decent rides on bike with the waxed chain and it's all good.

I've also waxed up a second brand new chain using Strip Chip so I'll swop them over when needed. Apparently 150-200 miles seems to be the average figure. I intend to keep this bike for dry use only(how long that lasts is to be seen), so chain should stay good for a reasonable time.
As it happens, I was getting around similar mileage using Squirt drip wax so I thought a hot wax might be longer lasting inbetween applications.
Time will tell.

That sounds good then. I felt guilty that I'd encouraged you to put a chain on with factory grease on, forgetting, as Sea of Vapours says, that some of the grease could end up on the rest of the drive train. But as you say, if it was a quick test on a stand, even if that happened, it will have been a small amount.

In my mind the great advantage of the immersive wax method is that each new hot melt immersion is a "reset" of the chain lubrication, so hopefully any contamination gets removed.

Glad it's working for you, so far.

 

[Binky]

I enjoy a bit of fettling to be honest so an hour or so spent in the garage on bike maintenance is a pleasure for me. I do all my own mtc as I enjoy it. I'm pretty handy on the tools and I'm not afraid to seek advice should I need it plus the YouTube videos often very useful.

 

[C R]

I'm not a metallurgist but I'm pretty sure that petrol won't cause hydrogen embrittlement. Citrus degreaser could well do.

I suspect that if you had enough free hydrogen to produce hydrogen embrittlement of your chain you would have much bigger problems.

 

[sevenfourate]

I enjoy a bit of fettling to be honest so an hour or so spent in the garage on bike maintenance is a pleasure for me. I do all my own mtc as I enjoy it.

Also me. To a tee.

I actively enjoy sorting a problem, keeping things going, improving how something works - and generally keeping each bike working the very best it can.

That of course also helps to ensure trouble free riding…..and a clear head when miles from home: knowing your machinery is tip top.

So for me: the time i enjoy wasting (tinkering with bikes) is not wasted time….

*However: with the amount of miles I ride - cleaning down oily drivetrains gets tiresome. So wax / other lubrication methods holds great appeal, save mess and frees up time. At this point ‘wax’ is soo good: I wouldn’t hold a candle (sic) to anything else 😉

 

[Elybazza61]

Nearly bought a Fondue pot at the chazzer today (only £4.00) but when I had a proper look the actual internal pot would be way too small for a chain.

Going to keep looking though as been thinking about this for a while but have some time as none of the bikes needs a new chain yet.

 

[Dorset Boy]

Well the minimal amount of use with factory grease chain is unlikely to have much of an effect. I literally tried it on the bike stand in the garage and ran through the cassette so yes a minute amount of grease could have been transferred onto drivetrain but at the end of the day it's a bicycle not an F1 car or space ship so I'll take my chances. I've done two decent rides on bike with the waxed chain and it's all good.

I've also waxed up a second brand new chain using Strip Chip so I'll swop them over when needed. Apparently 150-200 miles seems to be the average figure. I intend to keep this bike for dry use only(how long that lasts is to be seen), so chain should stay good for a reasonable time.
As it happens, I was getting around similar mileage using Squirt drip wax so I thought a hot wax might be longer lasting inbetween applications.
Time will tell.

Think you've left a zero off the end there!
You should get at least 1,500 kms between rewaxes if using the bike in good conditions.
I'd be changing chains twice a week at 200 miles per change!

 

[scotsbikester]

Think you've left a zero off the end there!
You should get at least 1,500 kms between rewaxes if using the bike in good conditions.
I'd be changing chains twice a week at 200 miles per change!

I've just started waxing. My chain, not this*

How do you know when it needs rewaxing? People say a change in sound, but, and I know it's hard to describe, what sort of sound?

 

[Binky]

Think you've left a zero off the end there!
You should get at least 1,500 kms between rewaxes if using the bike in good conditions.
I'd be changing chains twice a week at 200 miles per change!

Ah that makes more sense! I'm just going by what I've read on various forums and I'm sure the Silca offical videos say something like 150-200miles/kms.

Although a quick search shows this from SIlca :

https://silca.cc/en-gb/blogs/silca/...b7hN2HR-OY3q80swwRIjhs6JEKKnqkC4SZJX_KFR6hYhN

Under FAQ how long does it last they state 250-300miles.

 

[Binky]

I've just started waxing. My chain, not this*

How do you know when it needs rewaxing? People say a change in sound, but, and I know it's hard to describe, what sort of sound?

I've always gone by feel, literally. I rub chain between fingers and if it felt dry I'd apply more wax. This was when I used Squirt drip wax, which I'll still do on my old bike until I replace chain on that.
A waxed chain feels, well waxy so after a time it wears off and feels dry. I used to record mileage and that was always around 150-200miles with Squirt. After a few years I got fed up with that so just went on feel and it was fine.

As for the Silca hot wax, I'll see how it goes. I'll check by feel, sound and first few waxes probably record miles and see how it all corresponds.
Regards sound, just gets louder and this becomes obvious if you ride through heavy rain then if dries up then chain can sound quite dry.

I typically average around 100miles a week so if I hot wax chain twice a month it's no hardship. I have two chains now waxed up so I can swop in fresh one and wax used one at my leisure.

 

[Dorset Boy]

I've always gone by feel, literally. I rub chain between fingers and if it felt dry I'd apply more wax. This was when I used Squirt drip wax, which I'll still do on my old bike until I replace chain on that.
A waxed chain feels, well waxy so after a time it wears off and feels dry. I used to record mileage and that was always around 150-200miles with Squirt. After a few years I got fed up with that so just went on feel and it was fine.

As for the Silca hot wax, I'll see how it goes. I'll check by feel, sound and first few waxes probably record miles and see how it all corresponds.
Regards sound, just gets louder and this becomes obvious if you ride through heavy rain then if dries up then chain can sound quite dry.

I typically average around 100miles a week so if I hot wax chain twice a month it's no hardship. I have two chains now waxed up so I can swop in fresh one and wax used one at my leisure.

I will happy go 5 weeks or more between swapping chains over if it hasn't been wet.
On our Alpine trip we had a drenching heading up the valley to the Nivolet, and I still ended up close to 2,000 kms before swapping.

 

[Binky]

I will happy go 5 weeks or more between swapping chains over if it hasn't been wet.
On our Alpine trip we had a drenching heading up the valley to the Nivolet, and I still ended up close to 2,000 kms before swapping.

What's your thoughts on Silca saying 250-300miles? I doubt it's so consumers use more as they say each bag of wax is good for 50-60 hot waxes which is life of a chain easily.