Chammarychammary

One step chain waxing - make it yourself

oz cycle · 17:43 · 2 years ago

A DIY paraffin-based wax mixture enables simplified one-step hot waxing of new bike chains for cleaner and longer-lasting drivetrains.

  • Paraffin quantity — Melt 500 grams of paraffin wax or household candles in a rice cooker or hot pot at 90-95°C

  • Friction additives — Stir in 25 grams PTFE or 10 grams tungsten disulfide after melting to reduce chain wear

  • Grease conversion — Add a 20-gram sachet of polymerization powder to turn residue into hard wax-like gel

  • Initial chain prep — Submerge brand-new chain on a wire for three cycles of 1-minute swish and 5-minute soak

  • Excess removal — Hold chain above pot 30 seconds then wipe links with microfiber cloth to limit flaking

  • Rewax interval — Reapply every 250-300 km or sooner in wet conditions to avoid bare metal contact

  • Wet riding tip — Wipe chain dry before storage or rotate to a standby waxed chain to prevent rust

  • Cost breakdown — Initial 500-gram block with additives totals about $21 and lasts thousands of kilometers

  • How much PTFE goes into 500 grams of paraffin?

  • Why switch to stainless steel chains for wet rides?