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From: becky@cylixd.UUCP (Becky Bates)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Request for paraffin method of chain lubrication
Message-ID: <657@cylixd.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 4-Jan-86 10:58:23 EST
Article-I.D.: cylixd.657
Posted: Sat Jan  4 10:58:23 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 4-Jan-86 22:03:38 EST
References: <224@uw-june>
Distribution: na
Organization: RCA Cylix Communications , Memphis, TN
Lines: 75

> 
> Earlier this summer, there was a bit of discussion regarding various
> methods of cleaning/lubricating bicycle chains.  I recall a posting (from
> someone who sounded like they knew what they were talking about) covering
> the details of how one goes about using paraffin on the chain.  Would that
> person (or anyone else who knows) please send me the instructions (e-mail,
> please) on how to do this?  I thank you and my bike thanks you.
> 
> Phil Schneider
> -- 
> 
>   Philip Schneider                               
>   University of Washington Computer Science                
>   pjs@{uw-june.arpa,washington.arpa}                      
>   {ihnp4,decvax,cornell}!uw-beaver!uw-june!pjs           

Well Phil I was the one who posted the detailed article of how to use
parafin to lubricate a chain.  Here goes again.  
	Supplies:
		
		*2 or 3 cakes of canning parifin
		*clean coffee can
		*pan with water
		*new chain
		*rivit tool (I think that is what the chain removal tool
		is called)
		*paint thinner
		*glass jar
		*newspaper
		*(tongs or pinchers)  to remove the hot chain from 
		the wax

You let the new chain sit in the cleaning solution (paint thinner) for
about a week or two to let allow all the oil to be removed.  Stir the
chain within the glass jar every few days or so to break up and move the
cleaning solution around the new chain.  After the chain has soaked for
a while remove and beat on a plastic garbage can or let the chain dry
for about 2 days to be sure all is clean and dry so that the wax will
adhere to the chain well.  Melt the wax in the coffee can, enough to
cover the whole chain, by putting the can in the pan of boiling water.
This acts as a double boiler and you do not have to worry about ruining
a good pan.  Put new clean and dry chain in the hot wax solution and 
stir about every 10 minutes, I let it stay in for about 20 or 30 
minutes. Make sure that when you remove the old chain you put it into
the cleaning solution for the next change of chains.  Also make sure
that you bike is dry and clean before installing the newly waxed chain.
Remove the chain from the wax but be careful to use a tong so that you
do not burn yourself and lay the chain onto the newspaper to cool. 
After the chain has cooled work each link in the chain until the excess
wax is removed and the link flex all about the same.  Now you are ready
to install the chain onto your bike.  You can store the wax for the next
chain change out by putting a lid on the cooled wax in the coffee can.
and you can reuse the paint thinner by letting the sediment and gunk
settle to the bottom of your glass container  and then pouring the good
stuff into another clean jar and wasing the gunk out of the old jar. 
This kind of bike maintenance is cheap and you can recycle your cleaning
sollution and wax for quite a while.  I would not suggest using your 
cleaning solution over 3 times though because there might be a breakdown
in the chemical makeup of the solution and there is a chance that more 
gunk will get into what looks like clean solution.  FOr the first 10
 iles your chain will feel wonderful and then begin to settle after the
 extra wax is (cycled off).  The waxing of a chain makes it cleaner to
 handle the bike, dirt and grit do not get into delicate parts as 
 easily because the wax repells most dirt more than oil or bike grease,
 and it is a clean way to maintain your bike chain and make bike parts
 last longer by not attracting snad and grit that wear on bike parts.
 You should wax every month if your heavy duty about cycling. If it 
 rains you should rewax the chain also or if you live near the ocean
 you need to protect the chain from the salt air.  

 If you have any questions I am at:
	!ihnp4!akgub!cylixd!becky

	Becky Bates