Help with Paraffin.

[kneescraper]

Hey guys and gals,

After reading this thread http://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=94726&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0. and seeing how the owner Craig cleans his bike is amazing. He used Paraffin, now I know this stuff is used in lantens and for methods used in beauty therapy but he used it to clean all the metal work on his bike.

I've PM'd him but have got no reply...so has any body got any idea if the paraffin used by Craig would be the same wax stuff that is used by the beauticians?

[kneescraper]

I see he has updated his thread and removed many photos that covered the cleaning process...bugger.

[pete376403]

You probably know the stuff better as kerosene.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerosene
The waxy stuff is something else again

[kneescraper]

Hey Pete,

Yeah, Im after the wax stuff!

[Dave-]

parafin wax? buy it from the chemist and wax your surf board...

[kneescraper]

parafin wax? buy it from the chemist and wax your surf board...

But is this the stuff that degreases????

[Clivoris]

Kero is marvelous stuff for cleaning stuff off the rear wheel and chain.

[Swoop]

Parrafin was used by chauffeurs' of the wealthy. A cloth was always kept handy so that a quick polish would have 'is Worships' Roller or Bentley looking spick and span at all times when out in public.
Reasonably sure it was just parrafin. Will have to consult "The Oracle" tomorrow at work, to be 100% sure though.

[jonbuoy]

I thought paraffin and Kerosene were the same thing. For a moment I had a mental image of you giving your engine a bikini wax to "tear" off the dirt. Could always do a bit of experimentation with the left overs :eek5:

[kneescraper]

Awesome, after reading the story of the build up that Craig completed (in the forum that I linked to) I really want to get my hands on this paraffin stuff. He swears by it.....its of a wax texture...but I hope you can help me Swoop...:)

[kneescraper]

I thought paraffin and Kerosene were the same thing. For a moment I had a mental image of you giving your engine a bikini wax to "tear" off the dirt. Could always do a bit of experimentation with the left overs :eek5:

Hhahahahhahah, I could try the wax on wax off with leg wax.

Problem is I have to get my swingarm linkage (and other parts too) cleaned up and the alloy is kinda been affected after the years and years of road grime and chain oil etc...so this Paraffin stuff is meant to get right down into the grime and get all the bad stuff off the alloy leaving a near new finish...which is just what I want :)

Ive searched the Web but come up with nothing...:no::doh:

[mitchilin]

parafin wax? buy it from the chemist and wax your surf board...Don't wax with parafin.You're fall on your arse

[JMemonic]

I would suggest that it is just the Kero type being used to do the cleaning, it will eat through road film and tar easily, it also leaves a residue that will help make things easier to clean later.

[Dave-]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parafin_wax

wiki fixes everything.

[Swoop]

OK.
Buckingham Palace cars are said to be washed with a bucket of water containing a small amount of Kerosene.
This has a natural oil in it which "absorbs" dust... hence the clean look to it with a nice shine.

Parrafin wax is what candles are made of.

Mobil have various products with a range of melting points for specific purposes and they might be a better source for product.

[kneescraper]

Ahhh thanks Swoop, that clears it up for me....thank for Oracle for me.

[Blackbird]

Here's your MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for paraffin wax. Mostly no big deal at all, it's even relatively hard to set fire to. Just bear in mind though that if you get it hot to the extent that it's vapourising, the vapour can actually cause pneumonia if you get significicant exposure. Ok with plenty of ventilation.

Your safety tip of the day, hehe:niceone:

[bugjuice]

kero doesn't damage paint work and powder coatings etc?

[kneescraper]

Kero doesnt, no. Ive been taught once you wash your bike. Make a mix of half kero and half CRC 5.56 and using a old spray bottle like what your window cleaner comes in, spray onto your frame, swing arm and surrounding areas...this stops any major road grime etc making its home on your bike.

Works bloody well if you ask me....just a thin layer will do the job.

[Pixie]

I thought paraffin and Kerosene were the same thing. For a moment I had a mental image of you giving your engine a bikini wax to "tear" off the dirt. Could always do a bit of experimentation with the left overs :eek5:

Kerosene is parafin and parafin wax is candle wax.

The wax is available from supermarkets in yellow boxes labled "National Preserving Wax"

I warm kerosene in a container in a tub of hot water.(Do Not heat on the stove,for obvious reasons) and dissolve the wax in the kero.

This is great fron removing tar from paint work and exhaust cans.