Cleaning Wheels
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I've been neglecting my wheels for a little while and decided its time to clean them before a trip to southeast TX. I had some turtle wax chrome and metal polish that I had used for my car and decided to give it a try since the regular spray on stuff wouldnt work (lots of grime).
So I polish them up as best I can, getting most of the black grime off, but not completely, and buff dry with a powerball. Wheels looked pretty good except for some of the tougher stuff that I told myself I would try to get off when I got back from the 2 day trip.
I get to our campsite, set the bike up in a barn, and it starts raining about two hours later. The next morning, I get my bike out of the barn and start to clean it up. I notice now where the rain dried is blackon my wheels. I dont know if I just didnt buff the polish off or what.
So my question is, what do all you detailers use out there to clean the wheels, and what techniques? I am about to call someone and just pay to have them do it since I am sick of busting my knuckles on brake discs.
So I polish them up as best I can, getting most of the black grime off, but not completely, and buff dry with a powerball. Wheels looked pretty good except for some of the tougher stuff that I told myself I would try to get off when I got back from the 2 day trip.
I get to our campsite, set the bike up in a barn, and it starts raining about two hours later. The next morning, I get my bike out of the barn and start to clean it up. I notice now where the rain dried is blackon my wheels. I dont know if I just didnt buff the polish off or what.
So my question is, what do all you detailers use out there to clean the wheels, and what techniques? I am about to call someone and just pay to have them do it since I am sick of busting my knuckles on brake discs.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 5
From: West Branch, Michigan
Mark2626.......
If you neglected your chrome rims and let brake dust sit on them..... it can and will eventually cause permanent pitting. Your description of what you saw on your rims the next day sounds like black/gray brake dust from the day's before ride plus the rain mixing together and nothing unusual. If you dont wipe off the brake dust AFTER each and every ride.......this will happen.
I keep swiffer duster pads handy and give the rims a quick swipe when we're done riding for the day. Takes all of a minute to do both wheels & both sides. The Swiffer really catches and hold onto the brake and road dust.....and doesn't scratch the rims.
Yes, I know it's a pain......but unless you decide to go with black rims, not much you can do about it........but keep them clean. Take it to a detailer to see if the chrome is pitted to the point where it cant be "cleaned". If it can be, let him have at it to get them back into shape. Then you'll have to maintain them.
I use Mequires Chrome Polish or Simichrome Chrome Polish twice a year on the rims ( and all my chrome) .... and without fail, wipe them down after EVERY ride.....no matter how far we go.
If you neglected your chrome rims and let brake dust sit on them..... it can and will eventually cause permanent pitting. Your description of what you saw on your rims the next day sounds like black/gray brake dust from the day's before ride plus the rain mixing together and nothing unusual. If you dont wipe off the brake dust AFTER each and every ride.......this will happen.
I keep swiffer duster pads handy and give the rims a quick swipe when we're done riding for the day. Takes all of a minute to do both wheels & both sides. The Swiffer really catches and hold onto the brake and road dust.....and doesn't scratch the rims.
Yes, I know it's a pain......but unless you decide to go with black rims, not much you can do about it........but keep them clean. Take it to a detailer to see if the chrome is pitted to the point where it cant be "cleaned". If it can be, let him have at it to get them back into shape. Then you'll have to maintain them.
I use Mequires Chrome Polish or Simichrome Chrome Polish twice a year on the rims ( and all my chrome) .... and without fail, wipe them down after EVERY ride.....no matter how far we go.
Last edited by LWOS; May 2, 2010 at 02:50 PM.
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