Cleaning Wheels
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
Cleaning Wheels
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.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Orkney (North of Scotland)
The only way I have found to completely clean a wheel is to take the wheel off the bike, remove the brake discs and then get the wheel on the kitchen table. You can then get at each spoke with a small strip of rag - chrome polish then wax.
Stage III
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Va.
Try a car body brush hot water and dawn dish soap to break up the top layers roll the bike as you go to get as much as possible before starting with the polish . If its real bad you can use a wheel cleaner or acid . But elbow grease is always best . Wizards and mothers polish are good but I prefer Neverdull wadding . Hope this helps
Stage I
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Morton, PA
wheel cleaning
Try a car body brush hot water and dawn dish soap to break up the top layers roll the bike as you go to get as much as possible before starting with the polish . If its real bad you can use a wheel cleaner or acid . But elbow grease is always best . Wizards and mothers polish are good but I prefer Neverdull wadding . Hope this helps
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 5
From: West Branch, Michigan
That's why we clean our wheels faithfully after each ride......quick wipe with a swiffer duster to remove the brake dust and damp wipe for bug splat. Each spring we spend a good amount of time applying a quality polishing / wax and doing the spokes...and usually have to do it once again half way through the summer. But this keeps them easy to maintain during the riding season. We use simichrome or mothers.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
elbow grease, wheel cleaner and a small strip of rag.
here is a cleaner that i like. well worth the $10.
http://www.ppcbest.com/real_wheel.htm
once you get them clean though, give this stuff a try.
great stuff and makes cleaning wheels easier next time.
i can go farther between cleanings also.
http://www.chemicalguys.com/Wheel_Wax_p/wac_303.htm
here is a cleaner that i like. well worth the $10.
http://www.ppcbest.com/real_wheel.htm
once you get them clean though, give this stuff a try.
great stuff and makes cleaning wheels easier next time.
i can go farther between cleanings also.
http://www.chemicalguys.com/Wheel_Wax_p/wac_303.htm
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 5
From: West Branch, Michigan
I'm going to order some of that wheel wax. Looks slick. Anything to help keep the dust from forming or water spots is what I'm looking for. Thanks for the info and links Miandsh2000
