Here's our simple guide to DIY chain waxing. What you need, whats involved and why you'd make the change.
Hot Melt Waxing can increase mileage to 25,000km saving $1,000s on replacement components.
Hot Melt Wax is clean to the touch and does not attract dust, grit and grime.
Silca Secret Blend reduces friction and saves up to 8w, so you hit the finish line faster.
Silca Secret Blend is environmentally friendly and non-toxic for a PFAS free bicycle.
Removing the factory grease from the chain is absolutely critical for a good bond between steel and wax.
This is a two hour process and we strongly recommend you buy pre-waxed so you're not wasting chemicals.
This is the magic ingredient. Silca Hot Melt Wax is industry leading and the wax we recommend above all others.
Silca offers the fastest chain treatment available today.
Super Secret Chain Coating extends the ride time between re-waxing to 1500km so you can spend more time riding.
Joining link pliers make removal and installation of the chain a snap!
We love the 2-way Shimano pliers for ease of use.
Boiling water is the "degreaser" of choice for chain wax. Use boiling water to melt off heavy dirt and grime before re-dipping.
A small slow cooker is ideal to gently heat your wax to liquid. We like the multi-pot options so you can capture and re-use the flakes.
Use the joining link pliers to remove the chain. It's also a great opportunity to remove the cassette and give that a clean.
If excessively dirty (from muddy riding), pour boiling water over the chain and cassette to melt off the outer layer of dirty wax.
This step can be skipped for dry weather riders.
Dip the chain in to the molten wax. Agitate within the wax until bubbles are no longer visible.
Allowing the wax to cool will ensure a thicker coating is left on the chain.
Re-install onto the bike, careful to always keep the writing on the outside of the chain as many chains are now directional.
How many chains should I run?
We recommend rotating between 2 (or more) chains. For maximum drivetrain life, re-waxing early is better than re-waxing late. Using 2+ chains allows you to swap chains every ~300km and batch wax them.
We find re-waxing monthly is easy to remember and fits nicely into peoples schedule.
With that in mind:
~ 5000km/year = 1 chain
~ 7000km/year = 2 chains (rotate every 292km)
~ 10,000km/year = 3 chains (rotate every 278km)
Can I use an old chain?
We don't recommend it. Old chains have dirt and grime bedded into the rollers which is almost impossible to remove and will contaminate your wax. Converting to hot melt waxing is about setting you up for the next 20,000kms. With that in mind we recommend you purchase the best chain you can afford as you're going to be using it for at least 2 years.
Can I use in combination with a traditional Lubricant?
Silca Super Secret Drip uses the same active lubricant (Tungsten Disulfide) as Hot Melt Wax. This is a clean and quiet running wax based lube that is a perfect addition to our Hot Melt Wax as it extends intervals between re-waxing.
Can I use other lubricants?
No, Once you convert to chain waxing you do not want to contaminate that chain with lubricants, oils and PFAS from other lubricants. We recommend giving old lubes to your mate who is too quick for his own good.
Can I use Rice Cookers?
No, rice cookers heat the wax too quickly and can lead to break down of the wax or reaching the flash point and starting a fire.
Do I need an ultra-sonic cleaner to wax my chain?
Absolutely not. Ultra-sonic cleaners are required to remove the heavy factory grease. Once this is done you only need a kettle to melt the outside coating. Often you can simply re-dip and the debris will fall off and sink into the molten wax pot.
Can I prepare my own chain for wax?
You can but you need to invest about $500 in an ultrasonic cleaner and commercial grade solvents. Its not cost effective.
What are PFAS?
Many modern conveniences come from developments in fluorinated chemicals made in the 1950’s and 1960’s. These chemicals known collectively as PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) were hailed as magic when first invented for their amazing properties. They have since been used in everything from food packaging and commercial household products like stain- and water-repellent fabrics, nonstick products (most famously Teflon), polishes, waxes, paints, cleaning products, and fire-fighting foams and for a while became nearly ubiquitous in the realm of lubricants. Sadly, along the way, these chemicals have also become ubiquitous in our oceans, waterways, and even our bodies.