Best (Economical) Chain cleaner. ...

[newbiker]

So I've been doing some reading, and I understand kerosene is the best cleaner.

QUESTION: Where can I find it... Anyone have experience with it?

Thanks!

 

[corndog67]

Use WD-40 on a rag. Don't do it with the bike running. Kenny K in high school had to have the fire department get him out of the rear sprocket on his KZ200 when cleaning his chain with the bike running.

 

[splat]

Kerosene is available at stores like homedepot, lowes, walmart, target, etc. Ask where the "camping section" is, and it'll be there.

 

[tfkrocks]

If I remember correctly, I found kerosene in the paint section of Home Depot. They come in gallon cans.

 

[corndog67]

Also, if your chain is thrashed already, no amount of cleaning and lubing is going to bring it back.

 

[nickb]

I get it at ACE HW. Exactly as pictured.

 

[RickM]

I use diesel instead of kerosene.

 

[newbiker]

Thanks guys.... I got a gallon of the stuff shown in the picture above. Also got a paint brush to apply it. Already have the chain brush.

Also got some Red spots on the chain, (maybe rust) that seems to come off easily by rubbing it. Should I use just kerosene, then hose off with water. Or go straight from kerosene to lube/chain wax?

 

[tfkrocks]

Just use the kerosene and wipe off as much as you can. It shouldn't take too long to evaporate anyway.

 

[nickb]

ideally do a quick (5 - 10min freeway) ride to heat the chain a little, then apply chain lube to warm chain. If you are lazy like me and do not feel like gearing up, alternately wipe and let dry overnight. To reduce the chance of rust I don't like to use water on steel chains.

 

[Darkjedip]

Simple green in the gallon bottle at Lowes. I put it in a spray bottle without diluting it. Works great

 

[splat]

Also got some Red spots on the chain, (maybe rust) that seems to come off easily by rubbing it. Should I use just kerosene, then hose off with water. Or go straight from kerosene to lube/chain wax?

If it is rust, you need to change out the chain. Generally, red on the chain is rust. Assuming your sprockets are good and money is an issue, change it out now (even if it's a standard chain) and clean/lube often. If money isn't an issue, change em all out (2 sprockets and the chain).

 

[davidji]

red on the chain that wipes away easily? The internal lube leaking out past failed seals? If not, sounds like rust.

 

[ToraTora]

Gas in a bottle

.

 

[afm199]

The Motul chain cleaner works pretty good, and it doesn't take very much so a can lasts quite a while. The old bicycle chain cleaning trick is to put the chain into a 2 liter soda pop bottle with some gas, and shake it up.

bike chains don't have orings. Gas will go by the oring with zero problems, degrading your lube permanently.

 

[Blankpage]

Also got some Red spots on the chain, (maybe rust) that seems to come off easily by rubbing it. Should I use just kerosene, then hose off with water. Or go straight from kerosene to lube/chain wax?

 

[nickb]

I use diesel instead of kerosene.

A mechanic told me diesel is better for chains than kerosene but I've never tried it. Afm199's comment about gasoline and o-rings has me wondering if diesel is o-ring safe. When I'm getting ready to replace a chain I might try it.

 

[ToraTora]

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