What’s the best way to remove wax buildup from a cassette? Brush it off, soap/water, degreaser???
I recently purchased a Felt IA and the previous owner was a chain waxer. I’m looking at selling the existing dura ace cassette (not good for hills around here) and want to clean it up first.
Boiling water would probably do the trick… Before rewaxing my chain I swirl it in boiling water and any existing wax comes straight off
Take the cassette off.
Use a rag to wipe off the wax one by one.
Then use hot water to clean it.
Hot vegetable oil can dissolve solid wax.
Its not like there’s going to be a ton of wax on it. You don’t wax the cassette. So, its just going to be cast-off from the chain. Frankly, you could probably just brush it off with a rag.
But, if you want to “clean it”… Pretty much any solvent that dissolves oil based things, such as Mineral spirits, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, even soap and water (again hot to help soften the wax). Warming it up a little will make it a little easier.
Its not like there’s going to be a ton of wax on it. You don’t wax the cassette. So, its just going to be cast-off from the chain. Frankly, you could probably just brush it off with a rag.
But, if you want to “clean it”… Pretty much any solvent that dissolves oil based things, such as Mineral spirits, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, even soap and water (again hot to help soften the wax). Warming it up a little will make it a little easier.
2 minutes in the microwave will get the wax off.
Its not like there’s going to be a ton of wax on it. You don’t wax the cassette. So, its just going to be cast-off from the chain. Frankly, you could probably just brush it off with a rag.
But, if you want to “clean it”… Pretty much any solvent that dissolves oil based things, such as Mineral spirits, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, even soap and water (again hot to help soften the wax). Warming it up a little will make it a little easier.
I’ve found that simply scrubbing the cassette with a bristle brush loaded with Dawn detergent gets it pretty clean for very minimal effort.
I use an ultrasonic cleaner (jewelry cleaner). $30-4$0 on amazon. Just take your cassette off, toss it into the machine with some water and cleaning solution and 10 minutes later, you have a perfectly clean cassette.
I never get much build up unless I’m using squirt on a trip or something. Then it seems to collect between the smallest 3-4 cogs. I just unfold a clothes hanger, put the tip between 2 cogs, and spin the wheel slowly. The hanger digs the wax out pretty easily.
2 minutes in the microwave will get the wax off.
Might be less marketable afterwards though…
Shellite.
But there shouldn’t be any wax on it if they are proper waxing.
Thank you all for the options. Honestly if this was something that I was intending to keep and use myself, I wouldn’t be worried at all. Given that I’m trying to sell it, I just want to clean it as much as possible.
This is by far the most interesting method offered thus far 
.
I’ve seen a lot of talk on this, but one video I saw had a comment with it regarding caution as to the length of time to use as it could possibly remove any kind of electroplating or loosen fasteners??? As I have no experience with this, what’s your take on it?
I’ve seen a lot of talk on this, but one video I saw had a comment with it regarding caution as to the length of time to use as it could possibly remove any kind of electroplating or loosen fasteners??? As I have no experience with this, what’s your take on it?
An ultrasonic cleaner with water and cleaning solution isn’t going to do anything to a cassette.
No ill effects at all. I do NOT use Simple Green as it has a corrosive effect on aluminum. Not that cassettes are made of aluminum but it’s pretty harsh stuff especially if it stays in contact for an extended period of time. I usually use a couple of drops of Dove or similar kitchen degreaser with water.
I have used Simple Green for years. Does the job fine.
2 minutes in the microwave will get the wax off.
Might be less marketable afterwards though…
The cassette or the microwave?
2 minutes in the microwave will get the wax off.
Might be less marketable afterwards though…
The cassette or the microwave?
Depends on the shape of the cassette and the way the energy interacts…and how long its left in there. Potentially both.
. . . You don’t wax the cassette. . .
Some people do (SMH).