Silca StripChip is another great option for easily prepping your chain for immersive waxing. Currently covered in the chain prep guide is traditional solvent method if that suits, as well as using either Ceramic Speed Drivetrain Clean or Silca Stripper for an faster and easier prep vs traditional solvent method – especially as in many countries or states the same solvent is called different names, and can be difficult to obtain if stricter environment policies are in place.
Strip chip may be the easiest of them all, however the instructions must be followed correctly. From testing – ZFC instructions do differ slightly vs silca’s own current instructions (they may update to same as ours), as we found due to lag between temperature displayed and actual wax temp, as well as drop in wax temp when chain is placed into wax – the original Silca instructions may leave the wax under temp for strip chip to be able to do its magic.
Please follow the below instructions precisely.
- Recommended to have temperature control pot – Silca’s or other. Normal pots can be used just note you will need a candy / cooking thermometer and pay close attention so as not to overheat wax. There is lag so the wax can be overheated – if you turn pot from high to low at 125c – the energy / heat already pumped into the pot itself will continue to heat the wax well past 125. However putting chain in at that time will offset this to a good degree – you just want to be monitoring and inserting chain as soon a wax is at / near 125dg c if you are using a normal slow cooker / crock pot etc.
- You MUST give strip chip 10 mins at 125dg C. So if using Silca Pot;
- After display shows 125c – place strip chip in to melt. Allow a further 10 minutes for temperature to actually reach 125c
- After placing chain into pot, the temp will drop by anywhere from approx. 10 to 20dg c depending on chains ambient temp as well as volume of wax in the pot. If warmer than 25c -15 mins total in wax – swishing every approx. 5 mins – is fine. If chain is quite cool (under 20c) recommend a total of 20 minutes in wax – swishing every 5 mins.
- If not using Silca Pot – then simply using thermometer – ensure wax is at 125c for 10 minutes after having first melted strip chip, and then placed chain into wax.
- There is no negative for erring on longer at 125 within reason – ie the wax will not be damaged by being at 125 for 20 to 30 mins, however long periods sustained at this temp MAY start to have a negative effect (ie if you forget and leave it overnight). Try not to push temp much higher than 125 if using manual pot and thermometer.
**Strip chip may also be used with Mpseedwax perfectly same as with Silca Hot melt – ZFC has tested, and Mspeedwax have confirmed also**
TAKE NOTE!
- Do not put chain in wax with factory grease on if you have not melted in the strip chip (with the aim to have chain at same temp as wax). The FG will have already negatively altered the wax, and you will then be looking for the strip chip to unscramble the egg, which it wont do.
- One strip chip per chain, one at a time. If you are looking to prep multiple chains, they must be done one at a time. Ie do melt 2 strip chips and put in 2 chains.
- Minimum / maximum wax amount per strip chip has not been 100% clarified, however at this time we are highly confident anywhere from 200g or ml to 500 g or ml is in the perfect window.
And that’s it. For some this may seem faffy, but in reality – especially with temp control pot – it is super easy. I have prepped a couple of chains for myself and for friends – and one was at quite short notice. Turned on the pot and set to 125. When it showed 125 I put in strip chip and gave it 10 mins. Then put in chain, and swished every approx. 5 mins for 20 mins as the chain was cool. Removed and hang to set – and boom, done – perfect. Solvent is multiple rounds after an initial soak, drying between turps and metho, 2 x metho rounds, drying before waxing – more time – more steps. DT clean or Stripper – soak for 10 to 15 mins, shake, remove – rinse with hot water until hot water clear – dry – wax. More time and steps overall etc.
ZFC will not be stocking the Silca Pot at this stage due to a) w/sale cost of pots and thus margin on an expensive item to carry, and expensive to ship, as well as potential warranty support on things that can malfunction over time – which I am sure will be extremely rare as it is a quality item by the looks – simply ZFC just does not have the resources to stock and support such items at this time.
Information from Silca:
Eliminate the need for any harsh cleaners or degreasers to wax your chain. Drop a single StripChip square into your hot wax, let your chain wax for 10 minutes, and hang to dry. Reuse the same pot of wax for future waxings No More Degreasing Prep: StripChip eliminates the need for degreasing new factory chains. With StripChip, its straight into the hot wax for simple chain preparation. Advanced Technology: Each StripChip degreasing additive piece binds with factory grease found in new chains, turning it into wax. SILCAs advanced technology saves time and expense while ensuring a clean, quiet, and ultra-efficient drivetrain. Convenient Form: StripChip is sold in a candy bar-like form, with each bar containing six pieces (12 grams each). Using one piece per chain effectively eliminates factory grease, allowing hot melt wax to penetrate the inner workings of chain pins and rollers. Simple Application: Integrated seamlessly with the SILCA Super Secret Chain Blend Hot Melt Wax, StripChip ensures a straightforward application process. Follow easy steps for optimal results, making chain maintenance simple and hassle-free. Optimized Performance: StripChip works best with SILCA Super Secret Chain Blend Hot Melt Wax, ensuring the fastest and longest-wearing drivetrain. Experience enhanced performance, reduced friction, and minimized wear with every ride. Specifications Oleogelation wax based formula Eliminates the need for harsh degreasers. Use one chip per new chain with factory grease. Turns the grease into a wax like substance. No drop in performance. Go from chain in factory package to waxed chain in 10 minutes.
