Originally Posted by
verktyg
I use 0000 steel wool to clean up old spokes. It removes much of the corrosion on zinc and cadmium plated spokes.....
A WORD OF CAUTION:
Use a dust mask to avoid breathing in the dust caused when cleaning spokes. Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal. Zinc dust is harmful too. Chrome plating not so much but not worth the risk of exposure.
And keep the 0000 steel wool damp with something like WD40, light oil or Pledge as the liquid will further contain the dust and reduce what floats away into the air.