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From: dsn@umcp-cs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Wax as a chain lubricant?
Message-ID: <7799@umcp-cs.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 8-Jul-84 07:39:37 EDT
Article-I.D.: umcp-cs.7799
Posted: Sun Jul  8 07:39:37 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 12-Jul-84 00:31:14 EDT
References: <1387@garfield.UUCP>
Organization: Univ. of Maryland, Computer Science Dept.
Lines: 30

Several years ago there was an article in one of the bicycling magazines in
which someone kept track of chain wear by measuring how much his chain had
"stretched" each time he did regular maintenance on his bicycle.  His
conclusion was that paraffin was better at reducing chain wear than were oil
or petroleum distillate lubricants.

I've tried both petroleum distillates and paraffin as chain lubricants.  I
haven't kept track of chain wear, but I prefer paraffin at this point--if
for no other reason than that the chain accumulates MUCH less grime in the
course of everyday use.

In case anyone wants to know, here's how to lubricate a chain with paraffin:

(1) Buy some paraffin at your local supermarket (it's available for use in
home canning).  Melt the paraffin on the stove in an old coffee can.

(2) remove the chain from your bicycle and clean it thoroughly by soaking it
in kerosene.

(3) Set the can on the floor.  Dip the chain in the paraffin, pull it out,
and hang it from a string over the can until the paraffin on the chain
solidifies.

(4) Put the chain back on your bike.

The same can of paraffin can be used again and again (as long as you clean
your chain before dipping it in the paraffin!)-- 
Dana S. Nau
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