Best thing to clean rims

[Colin_P]

There are two things I use;

The first may sound completely counter intuitive but WD40 cleans the aluminium residue off the rim and stops squeeky squeekage.

The other is an automatoive brake cleaner aerosol, about £3 odd from a motor factors. Don't get it from halfords theirs is about £6!. Use it on a bit of rag / kitchen roll to wipe. It is also very good for washing / rinsing any grit out of your chain but needs a bit of time to evapourate before you re-lube the chain.

Of the two, WD40 is my fave, sounds bonkers I know but works!

 

[ColinJ]

Baby wipes clean anything - I don't know why I didn't think of using them!

Apparently, they are pretty good on babies too, but I do not intend to put that to the test!

 

[KneesUp]

There are two things I use;

The first may sound completely counter intuitive but WD40 cleans the aluminium residue off the rim and stops squeeky squeekage.

The other is an automatoive brake cleaner aerosol, about £3 odd from a motor factors. Don't get it from halfords theirs is about £6!. Use it on a bit of rag / kitchen roll to wipe. It is also very good for washing / rinsing any grit out of your chain but needs a bit of time to evapourate before you re-lube the chain.

Of the two, WD40 is my fave, sounds bonkers I know but works!

That does sound like something I'm unlikely to try, but thanks.

(Surely it leaves a slippery residue?)

 

[the_mikey]

I used to buy that in Boots to clean cassette heads and capstan rollers. I thought chemists weren't allowed to sell it now though?

You can buy it in maplins.

 

[Mrs M]

I use industrial wipes from Makro, usually have some in the shed.
They are strong and quite large and are great at removing all kinds of grease, etc.

 

[Stu Smith]

The other is an automatoive brake cleaner aerosol, about £3 odd from a motor factors. Don't get it from halfords theirs is about £6!. Use it on a bit of rag / kitchen roll to wipe. It is also very good for washing / rinsing any grit out of your chain but needs a bit of time to evapourate before you re-lube the chain.

I use the brake cleaner after my chain as been left to soak in a tub of diesel ..A wipe down with a clean rag then a liberal spray with the brake cleaner and the diesel and dirt disappear like magic leaving the chain like brand-new..

 

[raleighnut]

I use the brake cleaner after my chain as been left to soak in a tub of diesel ..A wipe down with a clean rag then a liberal spray with the brake cleaner and the diesel and dirt disappear like magic leaving the chain like brand-new..

That's fine if you then immerse it in oil, I used to boil mine up in SAE90 rear axle oil then hang it up using a pipe-cleaner threaded through the chain and hung on a nail in the shed to remove the excess. Chain saw chain oil is better IMO.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Spray some brake cleaner on a clean cloth and wipe it over e braking surface.
Does what it says on the tin ....

 

[Shut Up Legs]

If your wheel rims need an occasional extra-thorough clean, you can use one of these: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/swissstop-swissclean-rim-cleaner/rp-prod42618
I don't recommend using them regularly, though, because it's hard on your hands and wrists. I don't think there's really any easy way to use these.

 

[Donger]

I've just chucked out a half bottle of Austrian "Stroh 80%" Inlander Rum that has been confined to the garage for years as it was so strong it was undrinkable. I bet that would have done the trick....... I'd leave the rims to cool down a bit at the end of your ride before applying, though, or you might have an inferno on your hands.

 

[Fubar]

Baby wipes clean anything - I don't know why I didn't think of using them!

Baby wipes - I forgot that I'd bought a big bag from my local market! Hand on, I'll go and test them - the braking on my Basso was a bit iffy on the last ride so I think the rims could do with a scrub ...

View attachment 73835

Yikes - good tip!

Also good for getting all the crud off your chain, cassette, etc - everything!

 

[compo]

I just use very dilute washing up liquid and a green pot scourer then rinse off with clean water. Gets the rims lovely and clean.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I've just chucked out a half bottle of Austrian "Stroh 80%" Inlander Rum that has been confined to the garage for years as it was so strong it was undrinkable. I bet that would have done the trick....... I'd leave the rims to cool down a bit at the end of your ride before applying, though, or you might have an inferno on your hands.

So you'd have this, but on a bicycle?

 

[KneesUp]

If your wheel rims need an occasional extra-thorough clean, you can use one of these: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/swissstop-swissclean-rim-cleaner/rp-prod42618
I don't recommend using them regularly, though, because it's hard on your hands and wrists. I don't think there's really any easy way to use these.

That's just a big rubber, isn't it? I did actually use one of my daughters rubbers to clean the rims on my other bike, thinking about it. It was flower shaped. I wonder if it's still in the shed ...

 

[Shut Up Legs]

That's just a big rubber, isn't it? I did actually use one of my daughters rubbers to clean the rims on my other bike, thinking about it. It was flower shaped. I wonder if it's still in the shed ...

Essentially, yes. As you use this stone, parts of it come off, taking rim dirt with it. A bit like a pumice stone.