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DuPont Teflon Chain Lube
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UPDATE: New can graphics. Photo by R.B. |
DuPont Teflon Multi-Use Lubricant
by Bill C. for webBikeWorld
More: wBW
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| Owner Comments (Below)
Summary: Very interesting product that is
claimed safe for O-ring chains. Sprays out as a
liquid, then dries to a waxy touch. Repels water
and dirt. Claimed to last 3-5 times longer in
friction testing than competitors.
UPDATE: Apparently, this
product is sold in the industrial market as "DuPont
Teflon Chain Saver". It's our understanding from
DuPont reps that it's the same product, just labeled
differently for a different market. NEW!
Our
review of DuPont Chain-Saver!
I've always maintained a high regard for
DuPont's incredible run of products that have, quite
frankly, made motorcycling more fun for all of us.
Many people probably don't realize that
products like Cellophane, Nylon, Freon, Teflon, Lycra,
Kevlar, Nomex and the motorcyclist's favorite, Cordura,
were all invented and developed by DuPont.
Of those, Teflon is probably one of the
most widely known and most used products. So when
we received a press release announcing DuPont's Teflon
Multi-Use Lubricant, I paid attention.
I never considered that DuPont would
develop a motorcycle chain lube, but the fine print
claims that the lubricant "lasts 3-5 times longer in
friction testing against other leading brands" and that
it's recommended for use on chains, "O-Ring Safe".
When I read that, I figured we had to give it a try.
It took a while for the DuPont Teflon
Multi-Use Lubricant to work its way through the national
retail distribution system, but it's now readily
available at hardware stores and bicycle shops.
The DuPont division that markets the
product is called
DuPont Performance Lubricants, which is also
responsible for DuPont Krytox, an interesting heavy
lubricant available in many forms which, some say, works
very well on motorcycle splines.
DuPont released the Teflon Multi-Use
Lubricant (which I'll refer to as Teflon chain lube from
now on) along with a Teflon silicone spray that includes
both Teflon and Krytox and Teflon White Lithium grease,
which also reads like it would work nicely for lubing
those pesky splines.
We've reviewed several different chain
lubes recently on webBikeWorld, probably owing to what
seems to be a recent preference for chain-driven
motorcycles over shaft drive.
There are plenty of
choices when it comes to chain lubes, and there are
nearly as many opinions on which one works best as there
are for tires or oil. I think we can now add one
more to the list with DuPont's latest entry.
No other motorcycle chain lube that I'm
familiar with also states on the can that it's useful
for freeing up rusted bolts, zippers, skate bearings,
garage doors and RC vehicles, among others. I
suppose any decent chain lube could be used for those
purposes, but not many of them would want to admit it.
The Teflon chain lube is mass-marketed
as a "do it all" multi-purpose lubricant, but don't pass
it by on the shelf just because it doesn't have an
astronomical price or a chic label (UPDATE: See photo of
new label).
An 11 oz. can
of the stuff retails at around $6.95 and can be found
cheaper if you try, which is a pretty good deal for an
all-purpose lubricant and chain lube. Our can is 8
oz. and cost $4.95, but I have not seen an 8 oz. can for
sale again, so I'm not sure if we ended up with some
type of promotional quantity or what.
In any case, the Teflon chain lube is
very different than other chain lubes we've used.
The can has a nice spray top and a separate spray tube.
The top of the can has a molded-in clip to hold the
spray tube, which is a nice feature, because these
things are forever getting lost.
The spray comes out relatively clear
and, strange as it may sound, smells to me exactly like
a cross between WD-40 and coconut, if you can imagine.
It's very liquid as it comes out, but within seconds the
liquid evaporates, leaving a waxy, slippery feeling
residue that is supposed to repel water and last a long
time.
See the photo of my fingers (above), taken
within about 20 seconds of spraying the lubricant on my
hand. The liquid is gone and all that's left is a
waxy sheen on my fingers.
As I mentioned, DuPont makes some
incredible products, so I have no doubt their claims are
tested and true. The label does say that the
product is a patented blend of "wax based lubricant",
and it is designed to go on wet to penetrate and then to
dry and leave the lubricating film. DuPont also
claims that it will not attract dirt and grime, which is
key to long chain life.
This is a very interesting product,
seemingly perfect for lubricating motorcycle chains.
We noticed no residue, and since it dries soon after
it's applied, there's nothing to fling off the chain and
all over the back of the bike.
The May 2005 issue of Motorcycle
Consumer News ran a short article on DuPont Teflon
Multi-Use Lubricant and they also raved about it.
So next time you're in the local hardware store or
bicycle shop, grab a can and check it out. I think
it's just become my favorite chain lube.
|
wBW Product
Review: DuPont Teflon Chain Lube |
| Available
From:
DuPont Performance Lubricants |
Suggested
Retail Price: $6.95 for 11 oz. can |
| Colors: Clear |
Made
in: U.S.A. |
| Review Date: June
2005 |
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►Reader Comments and
Owner Feedback
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Comments are ordered from most recent to oldest.
Not all comments will be posted. Posted comments may be edited.
From "BJC" (9/09): "I've been using the DuPont lube
exclusively on the most recent chain on my 80,000-mile V-Strom DL1000, and
there are finally a couple stiff links, so I checked my records to find I
have over 28,000 miles on it. At home I use the spray can; on trips I
carry the small blue squeeze bottle. Very good stuff!"
From "B" (4/09): "I first started using white lithium
grease spray which is a big mess, now I use the DuPont multi use on my 08
Vulcan 500 no mess does not attract dirt and if some gets on the rim it
polishes off nicely."
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