chain cleaning

[Slaninar]

I know nothing about bikes except that the copper on my bikesafe course said my chain was minging.  A small amount of research later and a slightly squashed finger and it's done.  I used paraffin, a rag and toothbrush and used some scottoil afterwards to relube.

Two pictures, before and after. Was there any point ? Any tips ?  How do you clean the side of the chain you can't see ?

Cheers

Here's what I'd do:


1) remove that rust

This will help:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistol

But you can use any other rust removing oil - even WD40.


2) Put some oil to prevent rust from occuring

Put some engine oil on a rug and wipe the chain with it - to make the outside of the chain a bit oily, just a thin layer.

3) Your scottoiler is doing it's job - making chain lubed on the inside where it matters - that will help it last longer. It should not oil the outer plates of the chain (the part that rusted on your chain). That is your job with cloth and some engine oil.