FRENZY GUIDE
Hot-waxing only works really well when the chain is completely clean and dry. In this guide you learn step by step how to start with a new chain, remove all factory grease, heat FRENZY TrailWax correctly and wax and reinstall the chain with a FRENZY chain hanger.
Reading time: 9 min | For gravel & MTB
For the best result, start with a new chain. An old chain that has already been used with oil is almost impossible to get perfectly clean inside. Clean a new chain thoroughly in several baths of white spirit or strong degreaser, rinse with isopropyl alcohol, let everything evaporate completely and then dip the chain for at least 2 minutes in hot-wax at 75 degrees. Use the chain hanger to fully submerge the chain and move it gently.
Preferably always start with a new chain. That is the most reliable way to get a quiet, clean and durable wax layer.
An old chain that has already had oil, sand and dirt inside the rollers can be cleaned, but for a perfect result we do not recommend it.
Important: white spirit and isopropyl alcohol are flammable. Only wax when the chain is completely dry and all alcohol has evaporated.
This is the most important step of the entire process. Hot-wax only adheres well to clean bare metal. If factory grease, oil, degreaser or a white-spirit film remains inside the rollers, the wax cannot penetrate deeply enough. The chain will become noisy sooner, durability drops and the result is less clean.
Meanwhile, also clean your cassette, chainring and derailleur pulleys thoroughly. A perfectly waxed chain on a dirty drivetrain immediately picks up oil and dirt, and you lose the benefit of hot-wax.
Heat FRENZY TrailWax in MELTLAB Pro until the wax is fully liquid. Ideally work at 75 graden and never go above 95 degrees. Too cold gives poor penetration; too hot is unnecessary and less safe.
Do not rush this process. The quality comes from the preparation and from giving the wax time to penetrate, not from a quick dip.
Remove the chain from the wax with the chain hanger and hang it above the heater or in a clean area.
Let the excess wax drip off and wait until the chain has cooled completely.
The first few minutes the chain may feel slightly stiff. After that it becomes smooth, quiet and clean.
In wet or muddy conditions, you will need to rewax sooner than in dry conditions. After a wet ride: rinse off dirt, dry the chain properly and do not store it wet.
Do not use classic wet chain lube on a waxed chain. Oil attracts dirt and makes the next wax treatment harder.
Submerge the chain in boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove it from the water and wipe off the old, dirty wax with a cloth. Repeat this a few times until almost no wax comes off the chain. You will notice that the cloth eventually stays almost clean. Let the chain dry completely. After that, it is ready for a new wax treatment.
View MELTLAB Pro Starterkit.
That gives you the practical setup to start correctly at home.
Yes, we strongly recommend it. A new chain is much easier to get perfectly clean. An old chain that has already been used with oil often contains dirt and oil deep inside the rollers. For a perfect hot-wax result, start with a new chain.
Wax only adheres well to clean bare metal. Residue from factory grease, oil, white spirit or degreaser blocks adhesion. That makes the chain noisy sooner and the wax lasts less long.
At FRENZY we prefer to talk about a chain hanger. It lets you hang the chain safely in the wax, move it gently through the melted wax and then hang it cleanly to cool.
Work between 75 and 90 degrees and never go above 95 degrees. The wax must be fully liquid, but hotter is not automatically better.
At least 2 minutes. The chain itself has to warm up and the wax needs time to penetrate deep into the rollers.
