what do you use to clean the rims?

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by FrankoQ, May 15, 2008.

  1. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    That's how I do it, except for the wax part.
     
  2. Jimtt

    Jimtt New Member

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    I clean wheels all the time, if you don't then stronger stuff is needed. There are a lot of good ideas listed above. I am a STRONG believer in keeping a motorcylce clean; when I am on an extended trip I clean adjust and lude every morning. The process often uncovers problems you would not notice if your bike is dirty, cleaning involves looking at lots of parts closely.
     
  3. maddog

    maddog New Member

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    Apt. dweller here, so I take the bike to the self-service car wash. Spray the wheels with Simple Green/water mixture, then use low power spray wash and rinse cycles.

    Between washes, I'll wipe down with wd-40 when cleaning/lubing chain.

    Never bother waxing, as after more than 80,000 miles, my wheels are scarred enough from all the tire changes.

    Used to buy specialized wheel cleaners, but now figure it's a waste of money, as S G does a decent job for not so much coin.
     
  4. 2ndVFR

    2ndVFR New Member

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    I use the Gojo hand cleaner. Cheap and works great. As good as WD-40 but a fraction of the cost without the oily residue from the WD-40.
     
  5. betarace

    betarace New Member

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    wheel wax!

    .:: WheelWax ::.


    take your time, do it right and from then on cleaning wheels is a hose spray away. wax-em once a year and you are good to go.
     
  6. bat-stang

    bat-stang New Member

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    Meguiar's car wash. In between washes, I wipe down with WD-40. As stated above, harsh stuff isn't good for painted surfaces--wheel surfaces included. Some stuff will remove the shine from paint...
     
  7. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Usually WD40. Gets the chain lube gunk off really well. McGuire's has a metal past polish that works well as well. Found a new product called Tirox Chain cleaner. It works the best so far but is pricey. I suspect kerosene probably works as good as anything to get the oils and greases off. As far as the brake dust, I wash my bike often enough that it is never an issue
     
  8. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    I use mass airflow sensor cleaner on a rag, followed by Honda polish.....damn, this is an old ass thread, lol.


    ....
     
  9. Kobe Diesel

    Kobe Diesel New Member

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    Palmolive soap and water. It's cheap and does as good a job as any other crap on the market.
     
  10. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    After powder coating the wheels not much sticks to them, very easy to clean, worth it just for that.
     
  11. Metallican525

    Metallican525 New Member

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    When I first got the bike I took the rear wheel off, sprayed down and cleaned with simple green for quite a while to get all the PO's lack of maintenance off my wheel. Then I let it dry and waxed it up real nice. A week later there was a ton of chain grease and other various road shit stuck to my wheel again, just as bad as it was before. :mad::mad::mad:

    Since then I use silicone spray on a rag to wipe down with and clean, and another clean rag to wipe off the excess silicone and leave a nice shine. Leaves a think film of silicone on the wheels that makes getting stuff off later a very quick and easy process. :party2:
     
  12. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    carb cleaner on a rag cleans my white wheels
     
  13. Joey_Dude

    Joey_Dude Member

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    WD-40 is also a great cleaner.
     
  14. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I used to try centrifugal force but they kept throwing me in jail!
     
  15. 750nick

    750nick New Member

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    There is a product called GreaseAid in a purple spray bottle that removes grease and brake dust almost immediately. It has never harmed anything on my bike either. I use a teethbrush for the nooks and a dish sponge for the rest. Works like magic and only costs a couple bucks at Home Depot. A coat of wax helps keep the dust from sticking too.
     
  16. Arcey

    Arcey New Member

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    MeGuiars car soap and WD-40 for the though dirt , works wonder and is very soft on the rims and bike paint . Do not use dish soap if you have wax the bike it will most likely take it off .
     
  17. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    Used WD-40 to practically clean entire motorcycle. Pledge works kinda nice, spray it on a paper towel and clean the rim that way too. Works as a decent cleaner protector on the petrol tank as well.
     
  18. madduxca

    madduxca New Member

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    degreasser mixed 50/50 with water and a preasure washer will make it look brand new. actually i did the swingarm that way too. looks awsome. just dont let it sit for over 30 seconds
     
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