Why not use WD-40?

[Di bear]

WD-40 is toxic and you'd be better off to NOT use it at all.

MSDS Sheet

It is a solvent, so it's an "anti-lubricant." Your chain won't appreciate that.

I use Citrus Degreaser and then lube up with a wet lube. I used to use White Lightning, but that consists of solid components that don't dissolve, so effective lubrication does not take place and the chain wears more quickly. Pedro's Ice Wax is a good dry lube, but it wears away quickly, so it's not beneficial to those who do long rides.

One of the biggest problems with chain lubrication is that people over lube. They put a lot on and leave it. What you should do is put on an adequate amount - and place it on the inside of the chain. I like to spin the cranks a few times and let it settle for about 15 minutes. Then, use a dry rag, spend some time your bike, and wipe the excess lube off. The outside of the chain isn't what needs lubrication - it's the inner parts. This will keep grime and dirt from building up so quickly.

[OakLeaf]

Read the labels on those "citrus degreasers," though. Most of them are based on mineral spirits, too, with just a little citrus oil so people think they're getting something safe. Citra-Solv is pure citrus oil and surfactants, expensive but it's the real thing.

ETA: another good investment for the garage is a box of disposable nitrile gloves. You can actually re-use them 10-20 times, it's just the "disposable" ones are thinner and, therefore, easier to wear. Keep 'em on any time you're working with solvents, engine oil, etc.

[Di bear]

I love those things!!! I keep nitrile gloves in both bathrooms. Last time I cleaned up my bike, there was 2.5 feet of snow on the ground and it was below freezing. I threw the bike in laundry room shower, opened the window and the door, put on the gloves, and had at it. I prefer good ventilation for anything with fumes. (I had "asthma" and "allergies" for 3 years, even though tests proved I wasn't allergic to anything, and changing food and cleaning products got rid of the asthma - been asthma free for about five months, now.)

[madscot13]

I actully liked White Lightening in Minnesota. Granted I didn't ride much in the rain, but it was good and did not gunk up to fast. T9 Boeshield, I think that is the one I have, gunked up too fast. In DC, I appreciate it more.

[smilingcat]

citrus oil. Just because it is natural does not mean its safe or non-toxic.

Sometimes, I wonder about citrus oil. I've seen orange peels do some really nasty things to tupper ware where it literally melted the plastic. happens when I'm making chocolate covered orange/grapefruit peel.

smilingcat

[Grog]

You can make your own citrus degreaser by boiling down the peel of two oranges (or one big one) in two cups of water for about 30 minutes (then sieving out the orange bits.

Of course it doesn't work as well as very toxic stuff like Gunk, but of course that's a choice we make.