Classic & Vintage - Cleaning spokes

What have Ya'll found as the best way for cleaning spokes with a little corrosion on them
They arent corroded bad enough to be replaced, but they could use a little work
Thanks

I just used some steel wool on mine. Removed the slight corrosion that was there and shined up the spokes.

Steel Wool or Scotchbrite pads

If The Spokes Are Of Stainless Steel , I Would Not Use Steel Wool On Them .

Any Steel Wool Shards Left Upon The Ss Will Cause ' Pitting ' .

This Could Be In The Thread/nipple Area .

'scotchbright ' , Would Be The Way To Go .


Regards ,
J T

If the spokes are slightly corroded, it is unlikely that they are stainless steel. Use what you have on hand. Aluminum foil will probably work too, if that's all you have.

They might be galvanized spokes which are a dull gray and when you use a scotchbrite it will remove the galvanizing and they will be shiny until they start to rust.

I ususually clean mine with some type of metal wool; brass, stainless, steel or possibly a scotch brite pad. To keep them from corroding again I use a bit of Turtle wax chrome polish on them.

Aaron:)

Frankly, I don't bother any more. Within a couple weeks, the spokes will be well on their way back to that dull grey color. If it really bothers you, re-lace the wheels with some nice stainless steel spokes.

Frankly, I don't bother any more. Within a couple weeks, the spokes will be well on their way back to that dull grey color. If it really bothers you, re-lace the wheels with some nice stainless steel spokes.Bingo! I came to the same conclusion after cleaning the (zinc or cad) plated spokes on my old track bike. Once you're down to bare steel, they'll keep rusting perpetually, so you either clean them every week, coat them with wax or grease, leave them corroded, or replace them with stainless.

I did a full job on my filthy old spokes that got them sparkling (scotch pad & dish soap; steel wool & wd-40; simichrome; waxing). Since then I've given them just the occasional wipe with pledge and they have stayed shiny.

The plated spokes on my old wheelset for corky are pretty bad, I can't decide if I should relace or not. thing is the old spokes are period... even though corky is getting fresh paint most of the components have flaws so I should probably just leave it be.

The plated spokes on my old wheelset for corky are pretty bad, I can't decide if I should relace or not. thing is the old spokes are period... even though corky is getting fresh paint most of the components have flaws so I should probably just leave it be.

For new paint, I'd go with new spokes over crusty ones.