Bicycle Mechanics - What can I use to scrub off brake residue off of non-machined sidewalls?

I goofed:o when I purchased orange Weinmann fixed gear wheels and used brakes with them-they brake kind of rough look like crap with black smears on the sidewall (I plan selling these and buying the machined version).

Any kind of solvent that I can use to scrub off the brake compound?

Use a clean rag and some rubbing alcohol. Don't rub too hard.

Use a clean rag and some rubbing alcohol. Don't rub too hard.

Rubbing alcohol better than acetone or mineral spirits? Thanks

just make sure its not taking off the paint. acetone might be a problem for that.

Rubbing alcohol better than acetone or mineral spirits? Thanks

Rubbing alcohol works very well, leaves no residue and is much kinder to you and your environment than acetone. I use rubbing alcohol and a the scotch-brite side of a scrubbing sponge. Quick and easy.

Rubbing alky or mineral spirits won't remove the paint. But acetone almost certainly would. Same with lacquer thinner because it is really a soup of various solvents with acetone being one of the key ones. And avoid toluene and xylene and anything else with 'lene anywhere in the name as well since those are all highly aggresive solvents.

If it's grit and dust that has been pushed right down into the paint layer then it's going to be near impossible to remove all the streaking without affecting the paint. The other option is to remount the wheels and just carry on using them. Pretty quickly the brake pads will wear away the paint and you'll have nicely "machined" brake tracks. You just quite too early in the game!

I use whatever solvent is handy for rims: lighter fluid; engine starting fluid, etc. just be sure to use them outside. apply only to papertowels not directly to the wheels and tires, etc. oh and NO SMOKING! :-)