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Do you clean your gumwalls?

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Old 10-28-14, 10:47 AM
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Do you clean your gumwalls?

Winter is fast approaching, and I've already noticed that daily commuting on city streets with crummy weather has left my gumwalls absolutely filthy. Do you scrub your gumwalls or just throw in the towel and get black tires for commuting?
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Old 10-28-14, 11:12 AM
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Just don't clean them. That way they turn black. Problem solved.
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Old 10-28-14, 12:19 PM
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I always wonder how to get 'em dirty faster? Clean gumwalls look goofy, I think.
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Old 10-28-14, 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Velognome
I always wonder how to get 'em dirty faster? Clean gumwalls look goofy, I think.
I couldn't agree with you more! I love building up bikes in 'pristine' mode, but once they're christened, I like the look of a well-traveled sidewall!



It seems that no amount of riding on dry roads, whether paved or dirt, or even on muddy and puddled trails, really gets them dirty. I think it's a combination of wet road grime and oxidized aluminum dust from the rim's brake track that do the trick!
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Old 10-28-14, 12:34 PM
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If they get really gross, yeah, I clean them. I use a scrub brush and Simple Green, generally.
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Old 10-28-14, 12:43 PM
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Funny you ask, I just cleaned them last night with simple green. I know them to look as new as possible, but it definitely a losing battle.
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Old 10-28-14, 12:45 PM
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Only Paselas. They seem to get dirty in an uglier way than my other tires.
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Old 10-28-14, 12:49 PM
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Nah,
It's a badge of honor.
"riding patina"

YMMV
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Old 10-28-14, 01:03 PM
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Yes

I don't want people to mistake a Vittoria for a Kenda.

Last edited by RobbieTunes; 10-28-14 at 08:04 PM.
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Old 10-28-14, 01:43 PM
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Bleach White tire cleaner. Black Magic Bleche Wite Tire Cleaner | Black Magic Car Care Products
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Old 10-28-14, 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by SJX426
That would definately clean them but it might chemically degrade the sidewall. That stuff is strong.
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Old 10-28-14, 02:03 PM
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Originally Posted by icepick_trotsky
Winter is fast approaching, and I've already noticed that daily commuting on city streets with crummy weather has left my gumwalls absolutely filthy. Do you scrub your gumwalls or just throw in the towel and get black tires for commuting?
You could buy a set of tanwalls and still have the looks and easier to keep clean while saving your gumwalls for nicer weather.
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Old 10-28-14, 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by OldsCOOL
That would definately clean them but it might chemically degrade the sidewall. That stuff is strong.
True that but if you don't go and get a beer, but clean soon after applying, it will be okay. Of course the dirtier it is the more protection there is! I have used it successfully without degradation of the sidewall or change to the polished surface of the AL rim. I apply to each side then clean the first side. If I need to apply a second time, so be it. It usually isn't on long enough to make a significant difference.

Now if you are talking about Tubular walls, that is a different story depending on the surface material. The old ones with just a latex surface I would not try to clean with this stuff! I would if I had a bottle of latex! Reminds me to get some.
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Old 10-28-14, 02:50 PM
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I used to clean the tan sidewalls of my commute bike's Paselas but eventually gave up and switched to blackwalls . . .
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Old 10-28-14, 03:45 PM
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Occasionally, but only when it's really needed...

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Old 10-28-14, 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by gaucho777
Occasionally, but only when it's really needed...

Now, that's what I'd call 'OK dirty'. This is 'ugly dirty':

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Old 10-28-14, 04:31 PM
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I take the nice pics of my bikes right away.

Then I just ride them and maintain as needed.

Some of them look like something the cat dragged in by the end of the season.

Especially the tanwalls.

I just run the bikes over to the shop one by one in January and the guys run them through the wash cycle.

Almost good as new.
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Old 10-28-14, 05:59 PM
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old toothbrush and soap helps cleaning
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Old 10-28-14, 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by gomango
I take the nice pics of my bikes right away.

Then I just ride them and maintain as needed.
Yep, this is basically my modus operandi...
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Old 10-28-14, 06:30 PM
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My all-weather commuter: The front is becoming a blackwall while the rear is just dirty (32mm Pasellas).

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Old 10-29-14, 12:57 AM
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Do you guys in the US have Vim bleach cleaner? It works great on tanwalls.
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Old 10-29-14, 01:38 AM
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Yes, I clean the tires and wax the frame....
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Old 10-29-14, 04:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Velognome
I always wonder how to get 'em dirty faster?
Ride 'em in the rain.
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Old 10-29-14, 04:54 AM
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BTW, it's pronounced "gummels".
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Old 10-29-14, 07:16 AM
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Every time I brush my teeth!
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