Preperation for applying squirt

The Rookie

On my commuter the drivetrain has all been cleaned of the Muc-off wet lube gunge, new chain, bottle of squirt arrived.

Do I just put it on over the stock oil, wipe off excess or clean (the outside) thoroughly first?

pesky_jones

I think the stock grease on the chain is one of the best greases you can get for the chain, so just leave it - don't wipe it off

jimothy78

The Rookie wrote:

Do I just put it on over the stock oil, wipe off excess or clean (the outside) thoroughly first?

I asked moreorless the same question the other day. The consensus was to run the chain using the factory lube until it needs cleaning, then thoroughly strip and dry before applying squirt. No point applying squirt to a chain with any oil or grease on it, as it's water-based and won't penetrate anywhere.

pilch

The Rookie wrote:

On my commuter the drivetrain has all been cleaned of the Muc-off wet lube gunge, new chain, bottle of squirt arrived.

Do I just put it on over the stock oil, wipe off excess or clean (the outside) thoroughly first?

You let me down... I thought you knew everything

.blitz

Have had a few new chains that have been swimming in oil so I generally wipe them clean before Squirting them.

If there is any residue Squirt drops off and takes the excess oil with it so you end up with a curiously clean chain but the factory oil is still where you need it. After that you need never buy another bottle of degreaser just polish the chain and maybe remove any excess with an old toothbrush, then reapply Squirt the night before a ride

The Rookie

pilch wrote:

You let me down... I thought you knew everything

Nope, never said it, claimed it or tried to imply it....I know what I know and also know what I don't know!

OK consensus is to run it for a bit, clean the outside and then squirt it......

Chunkers1980

Nope, I'd clean the lot, just before you'd actually apply normal lube to a chain after running down the factory grease.

The Rookie

OK....CD has in the past suggested you don't want a deep clean to remove the lube in the joints which the squirt then keeps in, so just clean the outside.....CD?

pesky_jones

They're outdated, probally available on MP3 now.

cooldad

I'm a cloud based download service now.
To be honest I'm really lazy, so I used to degrease the chain once the factory lube was running low and then use Squirt.
Now I just use it when the original stuff is finished.
But I would always recommend to other to follow the rules.

jimothy78

cooldad wrote:

Now I just use it when the original stuff is finished.

How d'you know when that is, then?
Also, how do you know when the Squirt needs topping up? Never had to worry about that with the wet stuff, just wiped and relubed as a matter of course, but if Squirt sells itself on being "long lasting", and not needing that sort of regime, then how often should one expect to need to re-apply?

cooldad

Just natural skill and talent I guess.

AFAIK it doesn't sell itself on being long lasting, just not being mucky. I'll run a new chain for a month or two without doing anything, then lube when it starts feeling a bit 'dry' - maybe it's just random. Same with relubing - in dry weather I'll easily go up to 10 rides or more between lubes, wet maybe 5 or less and horrendous weather a few. As long as it still feels 'supple' I'm happy - the outside is dry and bare, clean metal.

So just when I feel the need I suppose. My current chain (and cassette and rings - all changed at the same time) is well over a year old.

cooldad

And by wet, I do mean wet

The Rookie

I agree, you do look wet......there is a puddle in the photo as well!

OK Thanks for the advice CD, as (I think) the forums most experienced squirter I shall take your advice on how and when to lube up very seriously.

cooldad

Correct and adequate lubing can save a world of pain.

r3hxn

annnnd thats what she said....

Chunkers1980

but never to you....

r3hxn

im not quite sure if that turned out to be an insult or a complement....