 Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
Anyone ever do this? I'm really only asking because I have some already and my chain is pretty grimy, I know it works well for getting gunk off, it should be okay on the o-rings and all that, right? I guess I could go get some kerosene if I needed to.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Kerosene works well as a degreaser, used it lots of times to clean up my old Trumpets. I suppose mineral spirits might work, and I doubt it would hurt the O-rings.
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
Maybe you should as Ian. 
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
I'm not asking about lubricating it, just cleaning the nasty off 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
You'd get the same responce.
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 593
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 593 |
That's what I use. Also takes the gunk off the spokes quite nicely as well.
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
Mineral spirits are very close chemically to kerosene. All the aliphatic hydrocarbons are just a smidge apart empirically.
LOBS , Stoddard Solvent , WD-40 , kerosene , diesel , all work 'bout tha same.
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
That being said, I'm pretty sure WD-40 is a no no for chains. I'm not sure exactly why, but I think it's just too thin and can "clean out" the good lubricant, no? Maybe bad for the seals?
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
Mineral spirits are very close chemically to kerosene. All the aliphatic hydrocarbons are just a smidge apart empirically.
that's a good enough answer for me, thanks Wade 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212 |
i have always used WD40 on a rag and wipe the chain, but i never let my chain get that gunky to begin with, works very well and then a nice even oil and i am good for another 1000 klm
2007 Speedmaster and miss it!
2013 T-Bird Storm and Luvin it!
Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Quote:
That being said, I'm pretty sure WD-40 is a no no for chains. I'm not sure exactly why, but I think it's just too thin and can "clean out" the good lubricant, no? Maybe bad for the seals?
WD-40 is fine, just don't soak the chain in it, wet and wipe. It's 51% Stoddard solvent (per the MSDS) which is essentially mineral spirits.
Soaking (immersion) for long periods could damage the seals but the small amount and short duration of use for cleaning won't do any harm at all.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 538
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 538 |
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=345397Wd40 works for me but shh I do steal a can every now and then from work 
Are we there YET? I gotta go pee!!
08 SpeedMASTER, Black and Red!
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,932 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,932 Likes: 2 |
that chain cleaner from walmart works good too
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
I do not patronize walmart
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,932 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,932 Likes: 2 |
i knew there was something wrong with you.
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
there is, but that ain't it
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,932 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,932 Likes: 2 |
why clean it? its gonna get dirty again
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 199
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 199 |
It is all I have been using for the last 8 years. Works great!!
2003 TBA Thunderbike pipes / floorboards / and the most uncomfortable seat known to man....
Barry aka: 8-Ball
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,225 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,225 Likes: 62 |
Mine gets cleaned when I ride in the rain.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
So, Ian... how do you keep it from rusting? Or, do you?
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Rust never sleeps. Seems the only real reason to lube an X or O ring chain is to lay down a rust inhibitor for the side-plates. So I bet Ian's chain reflects the colors of an Arizona landscape. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
why clean it? its gonna get dirty again
I bet you say that about wiping your ass too 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,225 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,225 Likes: 62 |
I don't do anything to keep it from rusting except keep it moving, it isn't rusty but I don't know why.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
I don't do anything to keep it from rusting except keep it moving, it isn't rusty but I don't know why.
I'm with ya dude! 
Mine lives the hard life too.
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
Mine isn't rusty, just full of gunk and chum... I guess from previous lube jobs. I won't be doing that again! 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 242
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 242 |
SO FAR WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CLEANING.
We all use what works, and is close at hand.
WD-40, Dawn, Simple Green, Gas, Kerosene, Mineral Spirits and on and on.
The goal is to clean the chain,,,,,da.
My objective is to keep my area clean from spatter from the cleaning.
The cheapest I've seen is a pizza box with the cover cut out for the sprocket area and the bottom filled with some type of absorbent to grab the cleaning agent of your choice, that your drenching the chain with.
I use(once a year) a high dollar chain cleaner device "Kettenmax Premium", with 100% soy bean oil cleaner(high grade Simple Green, $10 per gallon). For me it takes 3 flushes of the soy bean stuff.
It takes about 6-10 ounces per flush till it comes out clear
Now the Lube of Choice,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Mine is "Liquid Performance Chain Lube".
Moly Fortified, bla bla bla. Lubes O-Rings, bla bla bla. No throw off, bla bla bla .
Through the year I use the same spray and cotton glove. Spray the glove and wipe the chain.
Next in line is the DuPont stuff
Have a nice day
Last edited by burtard; 09/07/2012 8:46 PM.
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Quote:
SO FAR WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CLEANING.
We all use what works, and is close at hand.
WD-40, Dawn, Simple Green, Gas, Kerosene, Mineral Spirits and on and on.
The goal is to clean the chain,,,,,da.
My objective is to keep my area clean from spatter from the cleaning.
The cheapest I've seen is a pizza box with the cover cut out for the sprocket area and the bottom filled with some type of absorbent to grab the cleaning agent of your choice, that your drenching the chain with.
I use(once a year) a high dollar chain cleaner device "Kettenmax Premium", with 100% soy bean oil cleaner(high grade Simple Green, $10 per gallon). For me it takes 3 flushes of the soy bean stuff.
It takes about 6-10 ounces per flush till it comes out clear
Now the Lube of Choice,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Mine is "Liquid Performance Chain Lube".
Moly Fortified, bla bla bla. Lubes O-Rings, bla bla bla. No throw off, bla bla bla .
Through the year I use the same spray and cotton glove. Spray the glove and wipe the chain.
Next in line is the DuPont stuff
Have a nice day
Gee, is that all there is to it? Now I'm thinking of joining Ian, and living longer. 
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Clean a Chain With Mineral Spirits?
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,286 Likes: 65
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,286 Likes: 65 |
I've been using outdoor lamp oil with Citronella, at least it smells good. On a rag, that pizza box method sounds way too technical for me. PS Don't reverse rotation those sprockets bite. 
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