"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Tubular Clean Up

Hello all,

Like BDCheung I've just finished my first tubular gluing (and wheel build), anywho I was wondering what most people here use to clean off some of the excess glue, I had the odd drip onto the rim braking surface etc. I'd like it to be a solvent that won't eat into the good glue that's holding the tire on, and also won't compromise the actual tubular tire itself.

I just hit it with a razor for the big stuff and a few wet paper towels to clean up.

I've tried using a flathead screwdriver with a sharper edge to it and it just sort of gummies up a lot of the glue, I want something that will actually disolve it as physical processes just press it around and take out the bigger clumps (ask my hands, a lil bit of glue on them and it's a day or so of rubbing to get it off it's so clingy)

I've got no experience in this, but I saw a friend wiping down his rims with acetone.

Any pros or cons to that? Would it eat into the resin on carbon rims?

Clean streak?

I've tried using a flathead screwdriver with a sharper edge to it and it just sort of gummies up a lot of the glue, I want something that will actually disolve it as physical processes just press it around and take out the bigger clumps (ask my hands, a lil bit of glue on them and it's a day or so of rubbing to get it off it's so clingy)

A screw driver is not a razor.

Razor cuts, screw driver pushes.

acetone is fine. Any citrus degreaser will also work. But here is the great question - why didn't you tape up the braking surface first so this would not happen?

acetone is fine. Any citrus degreaser will also work. But here is the great question - why didn't you tape up the braking surface first so this would not happen?

First timer:o, I have learned my lesson Doc

Yep, masking tape on the braking surface is the way to go. Auto brake cleaning fluid works well also. Be sure to hit the brake pads, because you will inevitably ride the wheels, get horrible screeching noises and need to clean the wheels again. Now, the glue will also be on the pads.

Upside? In a race, people will stay away from you when they hear your screeching brakes!

I've always been fearful of using solvents as they might get in and under where you actually need the glue. I use a chisel and if you get it at the right time the stuff just balls up and it's fairly easy to remove.

However you get it off, you definitely need to get it off. Many years ago, I glued up a set of new tires. Did a rather messy job of it, and didn't clean them.

Went out to ride my brand new wheels. First time I went to hit the brakes was downhill into a hairpin about 40mph. The brakes locked with any touch , hanging up on the glue. It wasn't a good outcome.