Cleaning Rims

[bonehead]

Has anyone found a non knee killing way to get the rims clean while washing the bike, i.e. long brush, paying someone else to do it, etc.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by bonehead

Has anyone found a non knee killing way to get the rims clean while washing the bike, i.e. long brush, paying someone else to do it, etc.

Short answer ................. Nope!

Actually, I've got a soft (copper?) bristled spark plug cleaning brush (something slightly similar to a toothbrush) that's about as much use as a chocolate tea pot for cleaning spark plugs. I dip it in chrome cleaner then put on KNEE PADS & proceed to clean the rims. I must add that I don't do this very often, as I find chrome cleaning a bike is same as cleaning a car. If you do it too often, they come to expect it! :whistle: :2tup:

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by bonehead

Has anyone found a non knee killing way to get the rims clean while washing the bike, i.e. long brush, paying someone else to do it, etc.

I do both outside parts like the other body parts (with a different rag) and don't worry about the spokes and the middle strip where they attach. That way, it looks good without a lot of effort.

P.S. It often helps to dry wipe them BEFORE you start washing to get most of the oil off first.

[Water Warrior 2]

You need a bike with no chrome to clean. I washed the Vstrom last year but only because it had 40 pounds of Manitoba mud all over it. Knee pads will make a big difference in the long run. I actually wear Joe Rocket armored jeans when working on the bikes now. A good place to get a kneeling pad is a garden center.

[New GZ250]

Originally Posted by bonehead

Has anyone found a non knee killing way to get the rims clean while washing the bike, i.e. long brush, paying someone else to do it, etc.

I sit on my butt, spay the rim with Simple Green (let sit for a bit), rub with a car wash mitten (spokes too) and spay off with water. (In a spray bottle) Not perfect but does a pretty good job. There is no simple really effective way, that I know of. Really wish I too would love to find a better way, so I too would like to hear what others do.

[burkbuilds]

I'm kinda in Easy's corner on this one, do the rims and knock the bulk of the crud off of he spokes and forget it unless you are planning on entering the local "rods and wheels" show and the county fair.

[GZ250]

I clean the rims with kerosene using a brush. the hardest part is to move/rotate the wheels as I did not make or have the stand. So I move the bike back and forth. Kerosene cleans the grease/oil and than wash with soap.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by GZ250

I clean the rims with kerosene using a brush.

Effective, no doubt, but kero is such NASTY stuff.
Try mineral spirits. Similar effect but without all the smell.
Available at any hardware or big-box store; sold as paint thinner.

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

Effective, no doubt, but kero is such NASTY stuff.
Try mineral spirits. Similar effect but without all the smell.
Available at any hardware or big-box store; sold as paint thinner.

Hmm, don't think I would use paint thinner. It will vaporize very well and can be a serious fire hazard. I also wonder what effect it will have on the tires if they get wet. I think lots of soapy water,rags, brushes and elbow grease would be the way to go.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Hmm, don't think I would use paint thinner. It will vaporize very well and can be a serious fire hazard.

Paint thinner comes in several varities. Mineral spirits in slightly LESS volitile that kero. and poses no real threat to anything......BUT.....

I agree with the rest (that I didn't quote) in that a degreaser like soap and water or 409 or S10 would have been much better; just as effective and generally safer and more pleasant. Should have said that last time, I guess.

If you let the rims get SO bad that solvent is required to clean them, you have waited WAY too long !! :roll: