Permatex Chain Lube

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by Bill C. for webBikeWorld

It was almost exactly one year ago today, I discovered, that I wrote the review on DuPont's Teflon Chain Lube.

I found it while waiting in the checkout aisle at my local Lowe's hardware store and it seemed cheap enough at $4.95 for an 8 oz. spray can (or $6.95 for an 11 oz. can).

And here we are one year later and I've been using it ever since.  I have no idea if my Bandit's chain will last any longer when it's bathed in the stuff, but I just like the way it goes on and sort of disappears, leaving a dry slippery film.

The only downside is that it does seem to take more volume of spray to cover the chain than some other spray chain lubes I've used.

Nevertheless, since we're always on the lookout for something better, cheaper and newer, I had to grab this can of Permatex Chain Lube when I saw it at a local auto parts store.  It was only $3.99 for the 5 oz. can, so it seemed like a deal -- if it worked.

Well, there's not much to report at this point.  I've used it for my last three chain lubes and I don't think I'll be buying it again.

It seems very watery -- it just sort of runs all over the chain and drips off and I'm pretty sure that none of it stays on the chain once the sprockets get to spinning around.

It needs some kind of thickener or sticky ingredient to keep it on the chain, I'm guessing.  When it's first sprayed on the chain, it foams up and looks like many other motorcycle chain lubes, but as the foam dissipates, what's left simply drips off the chain.

I have a great respect for Permatex products, which have been around forever.  I distinctly remember the smell of Permatex gasket sealer when I was a kid, watching my uncle repair his Oldsmobile drag racer.

We're also frequent users of the Permatex Battery Cleaner and Battery Protection and Sealer spray products.  Use them about once every six months on your bike's battery to keep the corrosion fuzzies at bay. 

The product literature for Permatex Chain Lube claims that it "extends life and protects all types of roller chains, gears and cables that operate under exposed conditions."  It also states that the product "repels dirt, sand, dust" and has "minimal 'throw – off'". 

I'm not sure about repelling dirt, sand and dust, but I guess if the stuff doesn't stay on the chain, then there's nothing there for the dust to stick to!  Permatex does say that the product is "Ideal for any chain-driven tool or vehicle such as motorcycles, mopeds..." but it doesn't specifically mention motorcycle O-ring chains, although I'm not sure if that should make a difference.

In any case, I think I'll stick to my favorite DuPont Teflon Chain Lube for now -- and the search will continue, you can count on that!

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