I use the park chain cleaner in addition to a toothbrush and wiping rags. I first use a detergent cleaner for greasy stuff in the resevoir then I dry the chain. I then use mineral spirits in the park chain cleaner. At this point, once I've dried the chain as thouroughly as I can by rags, I wait a few hours and by then the chain is bone dry. I then lubricate it, once drop per link with the chain lube.
My thinking: lubricants gradually evaporate. Lubrication reduces friction that causes wear. Chains, being close to the ground, pick up dirt and grime. Tolerances on modern chains are such that grime doesn't really get into the bushings. I do clean the grime off, and any coating left on the chain will be displaced by the mineral spirits. The chain, when dry and warm from being in the sun will wick up quickly any lubricant you use.
Finally, what lubricant is best depends on where in the country you ride, what the soil conditions are and how much sunlight or rain you get. Dry, dusty conditions call for a dry lube. Wet, humid conditions prefer an oil-based lubricant. For what it's worth, specialty lubes are mixtures of different lubricants with different volatilities. Some even add colorants and scents but those do nothing to improve the product. I applaud the guy who has the sense to use motor oil, at fractions of a penny per lubrication versus a bike-shop-sold product that costs dollars per ounce.
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