Hi everybody,
We've been getting really into upcycling bike parts here at Bike Recycle Vermont -- we sell jewelry and fun products at local artists' markets to raise money for the shop. We love making jewelry with the ever-iconic bike chain, but getting it clean is so time and labor intensive. *Has anyone found an effective way to clean multiple chains at once, and I mean reallyclean them out, get them grease-free and bone dry to the point that you'd wear the thing around your neck?
We tried a parts cleaner, we tried bringing them to a car wash... each time we still ended up going at each chain with a tooth brush and some degreaser and spending 15 minutes scrubbing it.
Tricks?
Christine.
Soak them in a bottle of mineral spirits. Agitate them form time to time. pull them out and allow to air dry. If you're making jewelry from them you might invest in an ultrasonic cleaner For around a hundred bucks you can get a nice small industrial duty one with a stainless steel tank.
On Jan 4, 2012, at 11:31 AM, Christine Hill wrote:
Hi everybody,
We've been getting really into upcycling bike parts here at Bike Recycle Vermont -- we sell jewelry and fun products at local artists' markets to raise money for the shop. We love making jewelry with the ever-iconic bike chain, but getting it clean is so time and labor intensive. Has anyone found an effective way to clean multiple chains at once, and I mean really clean them out, get them grease-free and bone dry to the point that you'd wear the thing around your neck?
We tried a parts cleaner, we tried bringing them to a car wash... each time we still ended up going at each chain with a tooth brush and some degreaser and spending 15 minutes scrubbing it.
Tricks?
Christine.
-- Christine Hill, Americorps*State Bike Recycle Vermont/Local Motion w: 802.264.9687 c: 339.223.0722 www.localmotion.org/brv
"When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race." - H.G. Wells
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
I imagine the wax lubrication method might be right up your alley. I haven't personally tried it, but I imagine old crock pots are as readily available at thrift stores in Vermont as they are here in California if you want to give it a go.
--Ryan S.
On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 8:31 AM, Christine Hill christine@localmotion.orgwrote:
Hi everybody,
We've been getting really into upcycling bike parts here at Bike Recycle Vermont -- we sell jewelry and fun products at local artists' markets to raise money for the shop. We love making jewelry with the ever-iconic bike chain, but getting it clean is so time and labor intensive. *Has anyone found an effective way to clean multiple chains at once, and I mean reallyclean them out, get them grease-free and bone dry to the point that you'd wear the thing around your neck?
We tried a parts cleaner, we tried bringing them to a car wash... each time we still ended up going at each chain with a tooth brush and some degreaser and spending 15 minutes scrubbing it.
Tricks?
Christine.
-- *Christine Hill, Americorps*State Bike Recycle Vermont/Local Motion w: 802.264.9687 c: 339.223.0722* www.localmotion.org/brv http://www.localmotion.org/programs/bikerecycle
*"When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race." - H.G. Wells*
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
Erm, meant to include a link: http://www.ecovelo.info/2011/10/10/chain-waxing-101/
--Ryan S.
On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 8:35 AM, Ryan Sharpe sharpe@sacbikekitchen.orgwrote:
I imagine the wax lubrication method might be right up your alley. I haven't personally tried it, but I imagine old crock pots are as readily available at thrift stores in Vermont as they are here in California if you want to give it a go.
--Ryan S.
On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 8:31 AM, Christine Hill christine@localmotion.orgwrote:
Hi everybody,
We've been getting really into upcycling bike parts here at Bike Recycle Vermont -- we sell jewelry and fun products at local artists' markets to raise money for the shop. We love making jewelry with the ever-iconic bike chain, but getting it clean is so time and labor intensive. *Has anyone found an effective way to clean multiple chains at once, and I mean really clean them out, get them grease-free and bone dry to the point that you'd wear the thing around your neck?
We tried a parts cleaner, we tried bringing them to a car wash... each time we still ended up going at each chain with a tooth brush and some degreaser and spending 15 minutes scrubbing it.
Tricks?
Christine.
-- *Christine Hill, Americorps*State Bike Recycle Vermont/Local Motion w: 802.264.9687 c: 339.223.0722* www.localmotion.org/brv http://www.localmotion.org/programs/bikerecycle
*"When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race." - H.G. Wells*
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
-- Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen http://sacbikekitchen.org/ 1915 I Street, Midtown Sacramento Open Tu 6-9p, We 6-9p, Th 6-9p, Fr 10a-2p (kids 6-8p), Sa 12-4p
Try a different kind of parts washer, like steam or ultrasonic...
http://www.bikecollectives.org/wiki/index.php?title=Parts_Washers
Sincerely,
Jonathan Morrison Executive Director Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.slcbikecollective.org
The mission of the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Bicycle Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.
On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 9:31 AM, Christine Hill christine@localmotion.orgwrote:
Hi everybody,
We've been getting really into upcycling bike parts here at Bike Recycle Vermont -- we sell jewelry and fun products at local artists' markets to raise money for the shop. We love making jewelry with the ever-iconic bike chain, but getting it clean is so time and labor intensive. *Has anyone found an effective way to clean multiple chains at once, and I mean reallyclean them out, get them grease-free and bone dry to the point that you'd wear the thing around your neck?
We tried a parts cleaner, we tried bringing them to a car wash... each time we still ended up going at each chain with a tooth brush and some degreaser and spending 15 minutes scrubbing it.
Tricks?
Christine.
-- *Christine Hill, Americorps*State Bike Recycle Vermont/Local Motion w: 802.264.9687 c: 339.223.0722* www.localmotion.org/brv http://www.localmotion.org/programs/bikerecycle
*"When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race." - H.G. Wells*
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
If you toss the chain in a bottle of mineral spirits, let it soak for a while and agitate it a few times, it should come out completely devoid of grease residue. If you want to get really super clean for jewelry purposes invest in an ultrasonic cleaner. you can get cheap home models for ~$30 a small professional duty one can be had for as little as $100.
On Jan 4, 2012, at 11:31 AM, Christine Hill wrote:
Hi everybody,
We've been getting really into upcycling bike parts here at Bike Recycle Vermont -- we sell jewelry and fun products at local artists' markets to raise money for the shop. We love making jewelry with the ever-iconic bike chain, but getting it clean is so time and labor intensive. Has anyone found an effective way to clean multiple chains at once, and I mean really clean them out, get them grease-free and bone dry to the point that you'd wear the thing around your neck?
We tried a parts cleaner, we tried bringing them to a car wash... each time we still ended up going at each chain with a tooth brush and some degreaser and spending 15 minutes scrubbing it.
Tricks?
Christine.
-- Christine Hill, Americorps*State Bike Recycle Vermont/Local Motion w: 802.264.9687 c: 339.223.0722 www.localmotion.org/brv
"When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race." - H.G. Wells
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
right the ultrasonic cleaner will get the gunk and grease off but then there is the rust!!
good and wonderful news, chelate!! one part molasses to nine parts water will remove 100% off the rust. it takes time but no work and if one lets the solution evaporate the water soluble crystals make an rust colored ink or stain for making art.
i have cleaned rusty steel by soaking items in the above mixture and painted with the residue. but grease will act as a resist and the chelate solution will not penetrate to the rust. it may take a couple of weeks for the reaction to complete the rust removal. the solution also has a strong odder that is pungent i keep my active chelates out of doors.
jim
--- On Wed, 1/4/12, Matt Brittenham mattface@gmail.com wrote:
From: Matt Brittenham mattface@gmail.com Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] REALLY Cleaning Chains To: "The Think Tank" thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Date: Wednesday, January 4, 2012, 10:43 AM
If you toss the chain in a bottle of mineral spirits, let it soak for a while and agitate it a few times, it should come out completely devoid of grease residue. If you want to get really super clean for jewelry purposes invest in an ultrasonic cleaner. you can get cheap home models for ~$30 a small professional duty one can be had for as little as $100.
On Jan 4, 2012, at 11:31 AM, Christine Hill wrote: Hi everybody,
We've been getting really into upcycling bike parts here at Bike Recycle Vermont -- we sell jewelry and fun products at local artists' markets to raise money for the shop. We love making jewelry with the ever-iconic bike chain, but getting it clean is so time and labor intensive. Has anyone found an effective way to clean multiple chains at once, and I mean really clean them out, get them grease-free and bone dry to the point that you'd wear the thing around your neck?
We tried a parts cleaner, we tried bringing them to a car wash... each time we still ended up going at each chain with a tooth brush and some degreaser and spending 15 minutes scrubbing it.
Tricks?
Christine.
So the second link led to:
http://www.ecovelo.info/2010/05/30/chain-maintenance-for-clean-freaks/ and:
"The first time you use the hot wax method you’ll want to sanitize your drivetrain before starting (you’ll only need to do this once). Remove the chain and strip it using your favorite biodegradable degreaser (my favorite method is to fill an old plastic soda bottle 1/4 of the way with Simple Green, feed the chain in the top, put on the cap, shake like crazy, let it soak for 10 minutes, shake like crazy again, then rinse the chain thoroughly with water). While the chain is drying, scrub your chain rings and rear cogs. Use whatever method you’d like, just make sure everything is squeaky clean and dry or the wax will pick up and absorb the oily gunk that was leftover, defeating the purpose."
Have used SG for years as a degreaser. I use 50/50 diluted Simple Green all the time at our Coop, time vs. money. Have the client do something else while the gear-train soak is going on.
I would put the chains in a 50/50 solution in a free two liter bottle and every time the shop is open give them an agitation and let time do it's thing. Keep a production line going and experience will soon dictate the best soak time. I would throw in some 1" lengths as agitators to see if it speeds things up. Cheap and reusable.
Or else make a chain ring rig on a board (I cut off one side of a one piece crank and ran it through a 2X to make a window up/down crank, so just use two) and just run them through a standard chain cleaner. Maybe do that once for the big gunk and then do the soak.
Ron
On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 6:31 PM, james bledsoe jamesbleds0e@yahoo.comwrote:
right the ultrasonic cleaner will get the gunk and grease off but then there is the rust!!
good and wonderful news, chelate!! one part molasses to nine parts water will remove 100% off the rust. it takes time but no work and if one lets the solution evaporate the water soluble crystals make an rust colored ink or stain for making art.
i have cleaned rusty steel by soaking items in the above mixture and painted with the residue. but grease will act as a resist and the chelate solution will not penetrate to the rust. it may take a couple of weeks for the reaction to complete the rust removal. the solution also has a strong odder that is pungent i keep my active chelates out of doors.
jim
--- On *Wed, 1/4/12, Matt Brittenham mattface@gmail.com* wrote:
From: Matt Brittenham mattface@gmail.com Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] REALLY Cleaning Chains To: "The Think Tank" thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Date: Wednesday, January 4, 2012, 10:43 AM
If you toss the chain in a bottle of mineral spirits, let it soak for a while and agitate it a few times, it should come out completely devoid of grease residue. If you want to get really super clean for jewelry purposes invest in an ultrasonic cleaner. you can get cheap home models for ~$30 a small professional duty one can be had for as little as $100.
On Jan 4, 2012, at 11:31 AM, Christine Hill wrote:
Hi everybody,
We've been getting really into upcycling bike parts here at Bike Recycle Vermont -- we sell jewelry and fun products at local artists' markets to raise money for the shop. We love making jewelry with the ever-iconic bike chain, but getting it clean is so time and labor intensive. *Has anyone found an effective way to clean multiple chains at once, and I mean reallyclean them out, get them grease-free and bone dry to the point that you'd wear the thing around your neck?
We tried a parts cleaner, we tried bringing them to a car wash... each time we still ended up going at each chain with a tooth brush and some degreaser and spending 15 minutes scrubbing it.
Tricks?
Christine.
-- *Christine Hill, Americorps*State Bike Recycle Vermont/Local Motion w: 802.264.9687 c: 339.223.0722* www.localmotion.org/brv http://www.localmotion.org/programs/bikerecycle
*"When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race." - H.G. Wells*
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.orghttp://mc/compose?to=Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
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participants (6)
-
Christine Hill -
james bledsoe -
Jonathan Morrison -
Matt Brittenham -
Ron Kellis -
Ryan Sharpe