| Author | Message | ||
     Jraice |
What have you guys found to be the best way to clean the wheels? I have found a good wash to do most of it but brake dust, especially up front, is a huge problem and it wont come off with the light scrubbing I have tried. Is a wheel cleaning spray going to harm the wheels? | ||
| Petebueller |
H-D Wheel and Tire cleaner works well. Got to keep it off the brakes but fine on tyres. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
simple green and a sponge | ||
| Herobluebuell |
My problem with cleaning wheels is you gotta be a freakin contortionist to get your hand in most spots. I usually only ever clean mine good when I replace the tires. | ||
| Andymnelson |
Pressure washer. | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
+1 herobluebuell, when i replace a tire i detail the rim, and when not replacing a tire i usually take off each wheel and detail them. trying to clean them when on the bike is a bitch to me | ||
| Jaimec |
S100 Wheel Cleaner, though expensive, has proven to be the easiest way of getting the wheels clean when I had the orange-wheeled XB12Ss. Those wheels were GORGEOUS but showed every damned speck of dirt and brake dust. Basically, when the bike is cold (first thing in the morning) put the bike in a shady spot and spray the wheels down with the cleaner. It is more "jelly" like than the regular S100 and won't run off like it. Let it sit for 10 minutes or so, then use a regular garden hose at full pressure. I found that any "stubborn" spots could be easily loosened with my finger tip and a second blast of the hose is all it took. Be careful with a pressure washer because you CAN blow all the grease out of the axle bearings with those things. I don't believe ANY motorcycle manufacturer recommends washing their bikes with a pressure washer. You do so at your own risk. I solved the "Dirty Wheels" problem the easy way... I traded in my XB12Ss for a model with BLACK wheels... | ||
| Andymnelson |
Of course you have to be careful with a pressure washer. But you also have to be careful putting chemicals on the bike. And the problem areas are not are not around the bearings. All it takes is a little common sense. And since I own the pressure washer already, it's free and never runs out. | ||
| Mesozoic |
Simple Green and a wheel brush. Yes, it takes some elbow grease to access all the surfaces of the wheels, but it can be done and with good results. I usually let a 50/50 mixture of SG and water sit on the wheels after spraying for a few minutes before I get to scrubbing. | ||
| Firebolt32 |
Ochoa...why don't you buy some race stands? $120 I think is what I paid for mine, that's both front and rear. They are great to have. I wash the bike up on the stands and washing the wheels is a breeze. | ||
| Petereid |
Cajun Shine All...wipe it on, wipe it off done. works great on the whole bike | ||
| Sleez |
just make sure to put your wax of choice on them once cleaned, makes cleaning much easier the next time! most people don't wax their wheels. | ||
| Jaimec |
Get the wheels powder-coated satin black, and just go ridin'... | ||
| Its_a_buell |
my wheels are powder coated black and are impossible to keep clean. they're a flat black so they sorta look dirty always. ive found that simple green works good enough for me. im more interested in how fast the wheels are turnin than how theyre looking. they all look clean goin fast. | ||
| Jaimec |
Wonder if you could tell the powder coater you want the wheels done in "Brake Dust Black?" | ||
| Jraice |
So simple green wont harm the wheels? Is this concentrated or diluted simple green? | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I usually use simple green 50:50 mix. You can use full strength provided you NEVER let it dry before rinsing. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Adventure MUD: I find it hides rotor dust well, apply liberally and often, best after rain storms. | ||
| Sam_07 |
Soap, water and microfiber towel. I clean my bike once a week since i ride it every day and the brake dust comes off no problem. If you do use a degreaser, take into consideration the damage you can do with harsh chemicals on your paint! Read the warning labels. Most chemicals are not recommended on painted surfaces or aluminum. The rumor on the block down here is S100 wheel cleaner is so good, it strips the grease out of the wheel bearings! | ||
| Ratbuell |
...you can clean wheels? Sorry...I better head back to the Uly board...  But first, I'd second (third, whatever) the simple green approach. I usually dilute it 50/50 with water, spray on, let sit (on a COLD bike) for a minute or 2, wipe it down and hose it off. I might not clean the Uly, but I do keep my tubers clean with it...and both of them have white wheels, what a treat. | ||
| Jaimec |
Don't know where that S100 Wheel Cleaner rumor came from. Certainly not from me. I've used it for YEARS on a number of different motorcycles and never had a problem. Of course, I never spray it anywhere near the hub, either. The dirt is on the rim, not the center (at least the large majority of the dirt is on the rim). Any "overspray" of the S100 is more than enough to clean any other part of the wheel. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Greased Lightning. I've got SG too and think they both work just as well but GL smells better lol.. Call me crazy, but SG can just about make me gag when I'm using it.  | ||
| Troopshipberlin |
http://www.protectall.com/pawaxlg.htm Protectall and a terry towel. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
"just make sure to put your wax of choice on them once cleaned, makes cleaning much easier the next time! most people don't wax their wheels." Mothers Carnuba Cleaner Wax + a PowerCone Makes 9 year old powdercoat look brand new  | ||
| Jraice |
Ill consider waxing them next time... Tried simple green 50/50 mix today. Wheels are cleaner but the brake dust is still there and is pretty bad. I bought a bike with gorgeous wheels! I want them to look that way atleast sometimes  . I did use a soft washing utensil though, is it okay to use something a little rougher? | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I did use a soft washing utensil though, is it okay to use something a little rougher? NO!!! Nothing rougher than a basic kitchen sponge. The finish on the wheels is really delicate. That is why you see so many "fear threads" about tire changes. Simple green + sponge + elbow grease = clean wheels. | ||
| Jraice |
Ill try a sponge and working it more but using the carwash style (goes over your hand, soft cloth) washing tool and simple green at maybe a 40/60 SG/H20 ratio and it wasnt helping one bit. |
