Why clean a chain? 

Chains come from the factory with pre-applied lubricants. Primarily these lubricants are developed for industrial applications with anti corrosive properties to protect the chains from rusting while still in their packaging, and ensuring a low maintenance and durable protection for an extended lifespan. Although they do also provide friction reduction, further improvements can be made for a bicycle application with use of speciality low friction lubricants. 

It's not always possible or easy for riders to clean chains themselves due to the equipment required (especially if it's a one off chain) which is why we offer an ultrasonically cleaning service on top of the chains we supply. Keep in mind that the ultrasonically cleaned chains we supply are unbroken-in (see below for more information on breaking-in chains), but still achieve great performance improvements over the factory chain and lubricants. 

Cleaning off the factory lubricants requires some speciality equipment and chemicals. This includes:

• An ultrasonic cleaner (with temperature control)
• 2-4 glass jars with lids
• Mineral turps (new chains)
• Water based degreaser (pre-waxed chains)
• Methylated spirits 
• Hairdryer, heat gun or an air compressor
• An appliance to boil water (pre-waxed chains)

Pre breaking-in a chain

Breaking-in a factory chain is recommended for quickest and easiest cleaning results. However it is not necessary unless preparing a race chain to achieve every possible watt saving immediately when put onto a bike. 

Breaking-in a factory chain with 50-100 km of riding helps the chain find its natural mechanical balance. The links are worn in, the surfaces have polished up and the sharp edges have rounded off to mate with the corresponding chainring and sprockets.

It's important to ensure a chain is broken-in in clean conditions. This ensures that no added contamination has entered the system and makes for a more effective cleaning process. If breaking-in a track cycling chain, this can be done in a clean indoor environment with your track bike and indoor trainer using one of our fixed gear adapters.

New Chains

Pre-cleaning a chain

Pre-cleaning a chain speeds up the cleaning process, reduces the volume of solvents required and makes for better results. Think of it like pre rinsing your dishes so that by the end of cleaning all your dishes the water isn't as dirty as it otherwise would be if you hadn't pre rinsed. You can't get a good clean if the solution you're cleaning with is dirty.

Pre-cleaning is required for pre-broken-in chains where added continents may have been introduced. 

Although not always necessary On brand new chains, pre-cleaning can remove some of the factory greases and oils, leaving the solutions fresher for a more effective clean. 

To pre clean a chain, place the chain in a sealable container or jar along with mineral turps. Manually shake the container to dislodge any larger particles from the chain. Keep in mind that this process won't help with the smaller nooks and  - that's where the ultrasonic cleaning comes in later on. crannies

If pre-cleaning new chains, you can usually get 2-3 chains out of the jar of mineral turps before it becomes too contaminated. If pre-cleaning a used or pre-broken-in chain, the added contaminants will make the mineral turps only good for one use. 

Overnight soak

Overnight soaking only applied to non-broken-in chains. Those chains that have been broken in, the factory lubricants have oxidised and are easily removed from the pre-cleaning process.  

For best results on brand new chains, I like to soak the chains for 1-2 days in a fresh jar of mineral turps following the pre-cleaning process. I find that higher end chains such as the Izumi super toughness or Kai don't require as long to soak due to the factory oil being thinner. The standard IZUMI 410 chains on the other hand have a thicker grease like oil that takes some time to dissolve and work its way out of the finer books and crannies. 

Ultrasonic cleaning

The last step in the process is ultrasonic cleaning. An ultrasonic cleaner uses high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to vibrate the tank's contents, dislodging the micro contaminants from the chain. 

Jar cleaning method

Keeping your ultrasonic cleaner clean and solvent free keeps the machine functioning well and minimises cleaning between solvents. 

With a ¾ full tank of tap water, Preheat your ultrasonic cleaner to 57°C (135°F). In a sealed jar, place the chain and fill the remainder up with mineral turps. 

Submerge the jar inside the tank, leaving it for 5-10 minutes for the mineral turps to come up to temperature. 

The ultrasound will pass through the jar into the mineral turps. This keeps all the continents isolated within the jar. The method also saves on solutions, where you only need to fill up the jar with mineral turps rather than the whole tank.

Once up to temperature, begin the ultrasonic cleaning. Set the timer to 6 minutes. 

After 6 minutes, flip the jar/chain over. Ultrasonic clean for a second 6 minutes. 

Remove the chain from the jar and inspect. Repeat the cleaning process if required. 

Post cleaning

If satisfied, with the above ultrasonic cleaning, dry the chain with a hairdryer, heat gun or air compressor. 

Methylated spirits rinse

Place the chain into a second  jar with methylated spirits. Add back into the ultrasonic cleaner for another two 6 minute cycles to displace any remaining water.

Dry the chain with a hairdryer, heat gun or air compressor. 

Final notes

Following the cleaning process, it is recommended to apply your choice of lubricant to the chain as soon as possible to avoid corrosion. Please refer to the lubricant manufacturers instructions for application instructions. 

Cleaning a pre-waxed chain

Pre-Cleaning

Give a waxed chain 2-3 pre-cleaning cycles using boiling water. The boiling water will melt out much of the wax prior to ultrasonic cleaning. Ensure this rinse cycle is done in an open vessel.

Pre-waxed chains require a water based cleaner instead of mineral turps as the wax does not dissolve in solvents. 

Jar cleaning method

Keeping your ultrasonic cleaner clean and solvent free keeps the machine functioning well and minimises cleaning between solvents. 

With a ¾ full tank of tap water, Preheat your ultrasonic cleaner to 57°C (135°F). In a sealed jar, fill with a water based degreaser. 

A degassing process is required when using water based degreasers. Prior to adding the chain, run the ultrasonic cleaner for a 6 minute cycle. This process will remove the air bubbles and prepare the solution for efficient cleaning. The process will also bring the solution up to temperature.

The ultrasound will pass through the jar into the water based degreaser. This keeps all the continents isolated within the jar. The method also saves on solutions, where you only need to fill up the jar with the water based degreaser rather than the whole tank.

Once the water based degreaser is degassed and up to temperature, add in the chain and begin the ultrasonic cleaning. Set the timer to 6 minutes. 

After 6 minutes, flip the jar/chain over. Ultrasonic clean for a second 6 minutes. 

Remove the chain from the jar and inspect. Repeat the cleaning process if required. 

Post cleaning

Rinse the chain off under boiling water. 

Place the chain into a second jar with clean water. Add back into the ultrasonic cleaner for another two 6 minute cycles to remove the water based degreaser residue.

If satisfied, with the above ultrasonic cleaning, dry the chain with a hairdryer, heat gun or air compressor. 

Methylated spirits rinse

Place the chain into a third  jar with methylated spirits. Add back into the ultrasonic cleaner for another two 6 minute cycles to displace any remaining water.

Dry the chain with a hairdryer, heat gun or air compressor.

Final notes

Following the cleaning process, it is recommended to apply your choice of lubricant to the chain as soon as possible to avoid corrosion. Please refer to the lubricant manufacturers instructions for application instructions.

 

The above process is based on the method used by Zero Friction Cycling