Compressed air on O-ring chain?

Well, you guessed it wondering if I could hit my o-ring chain with compressed air? The chain is so stiff I can make shapes out of it and hold it up to show you without it moving. I've tried cleaning it and not working. Even soaked it in the parts washer at work. Just ordered a 47t and chain but would like to keep this on reserve.

No. You will push water behind the O-ring.

If you're having trouble I would clean with kerosene and nylon brush, wipe dry, then let air dry, then lube.

Even better if you take it off and drop it in a bucket of kerosene. In which case you might as well lube the linkages.

If you're not up for taking off the swing arm you can always just take off the rear wheel, grab a large plastic bowl (like a giant salad bowl) and submerge the chain in sections.

Curious what's in the parts washer but it sounds like you were having trouble before that.

mcdoudlehopper wrote:

The chain is so stiff I can make shapes out of it and hold it up to show you without it moving.

I thought that this (to a point) was fairly normal? I have about 8 links standing upright on my desk at work.

Don't parts washers tend to be de-greasers too?

I'm not sure that's a good idea.

Not sure if the cleaning agents in those is hard on ruuber o-rings either?

I've cleaned my chain with WD-40 and an old toothbrush, and a rag before.

How old is chain? How many miles? Is it rusty looking?

I'd go with gatorfan's recommendation if you can.
Soak it in kerosene in a pan for a few days if you can.

Since you're getting a new chain, you'll have plenty of time to experiment.

Most parts washers at repair shops use an "environmentally friendly" solvent. Not sure what's in it but I can tell you it will swell most rubber material & almost dissolves latex gloves. I would stick with kerosene or WD-40 to clean the grime off the chain & lube it with your favorite chain lube.

Your chains toast, trow it out.
The O rings seal pretty good and keep out all the crap you soak it in and clean it with so nothing will get into the siezed pins to lube it anyway.

The parts washer is very mild and ok for rubber. I've soaked it in everything except Kerosene just because of convenience. The chain has never been dry or ever rusted. Only got 1200 miles out of very light use and everytime it got wet, I would wash it with wd40 clean with a brush and relube with O-ring chain lube. I just want to keep this from happening to new chain.