Little Darwin

I need ideas for cleaning spokes...

The 1986 (it was mislabeled in the eBay listing, but no big deal) Voyageur I just got is in great shape, but needs some cleanup and shining before the unveiling... I cleaned the front rim while watching the Eagles lose last night, and still need to clean the spokes...

What is the best way to clean 20 years of accumulated crud off of stainless spokes?

Nev'r Dull has the rim looking pretty good, but with the lacing, the spokes could take a while, what are your favorite tricks for spokes?

How about hubs without disassembly?

BTW both the seat post and stem are completely corrosion free and move smoothly... it was a great day!

Carbon Based

A little bit of steel wool has worked great for me, although I've heard that it may wear the spokes somewhat.

Staggerwing

If you are just sitting watching the tube, you might as well stick with the NeverDull. I'm more of a Mothers or Simichrome fan, but I'm not sure their any better, and certainly no quicker. You might try to clean the worst of it off with concentrated Simple Green. Be careful with the car wheel care products. If is is safe for painted wheels, it might be OK. I damaged the clear anodizing on one old wheel with one of the more powerful products.

jcm

Mineral spirits or whatever mild solvent you have. For the hub/lacing area, I use a plastic bristle brush - like a tooth brush. Stainless spokes should wipe clean with not much more than a dry paper towel. Or, a oooo steel wool pad with a little solvent.

bigbossman 

Liberal amounts of WD40 and a ChoreBoy or similar pot scrubber.

J T CUNNINGHAM

Use the 'Neverdull', any traces left on the stainless steel & aluminium by the steelwool

will cause pitting or corrosion. (disimilarity of metals) besides, the 'Neverdull', contains a

solvent that is better than 'messy', water or mineral spirits.


Regards,
J T

seres

I use a small, about 3/4 by 1.5-inch, stainless steel parts cleaning brush, with a long wooden handle.

jerrymcdougal

I use papertowel and some rubbing alcohol. Dries non sticky/wont attract dust etc...

mrmw

I use a nubbin of fresh clean 000 steel wool wet with rubbing alcohol.

This is pretty gentle, and if any alcohol drips onto the alloy rim no problem, as I use the same combination to clean the alloy rim and its braking surface.

I don't get the spokes to shine this way, but they do get clean. And, since I ride the bike, not just look at it, I'm fine without the shine.

Finally--I use rubbing alcohol and fine emery cloth on the brake pads.

All in all works this system works pretty well. Of course--I'm sure that you are changing to Salmon Kool Stops almost the very first thing, no?

I've used wd40 on the spokes, but when it gets on the rim (and it will), you've got to clean it off thoroughly with alcohol and steel wool. Trial and error has taught me to start at the end and get it all done that much quicker.

Gary Fountain

Some great tips but each one sounds like you will have to put the time into the job although mrmw's suggestion of 'starting at the end' does suggest a shortcut.

Great thread - I hate that job.

JunkYardBike

Funny, I was watching the Giants win. You mean you didn't break any of the spokes in misdirected anger after the 12th sack?

Cleaning spokes? They'll get dirty again after a few rides. Just don't take any closeup photos near the wheel. But be sure to post pics soon! Congrats!

Little Darwin

I am in the minority, as most people here are fans of that team from the other side of the state or the Giants... New York is just as close as Philadelphia, but I prefer to consider the "home town" as the closest city in the same state.

It is amazing how many people in an isolated area like this choose a team based on which team has a history of winning... I am more of a "follow the home team" type, even if they always lose... I would be a die hard Cubs fan if I lived in Chicago!

I would be a Mets fan in New York. I find it hard to be a Yankees fan, even with their AAA club just 10 miles away... I don't like the baseball teams that build themselves with checkbooks rather than farm systems...

But, I must admit, it was hard to see the QB get hammered all those times... 12 sacks, and how many hits???? It is a good thing they don't play this coming week... It is also a good thing I was working on the rim and not the spokes.

Go Phillies!!!

CardiacKid

I suggest you do the same thing next week while watching the Eagles lose. There are 12 more games for the Eagles to lose, that should give you plenty of time.

JunkYardBike

I'm a fan of the local team as well; they are, afterall, the NJ Giants.

Yes, but the Yankee farm system feeds the rest of the league. They trade away most of their prospects, which, as a Yankee fan, is frustrating to me. Many of the big contract signings in recent years have been flops.

I suppose you'll be riding rims with hops, then!

What was this thread about, again?