Cleaning the outside of wheel hubs?
 

Is there an easy way to clean the outside of wheel hubs in between the spokes?

A steam cleaner might work well to flush out the grit and gunk from those areas.
Just make sure you service the bearings if the hubs have non-sealed bearings in it, as the hot steam might also flush out all the grease in the bearing races.

Are you looking to simply clean or polish? A toothbrush and some WD-40 or other cleaner/solvent works well, followed by some "flossing" with a thin shop rag. Polishing can be done, too, but it's a definitely more work, and de-lacing is needed for best results.

I typically clean that area really good with a toothbrush and WD-40 or PB Blaster before taking the hub apart. I think it comes apart much easier that way.

There's sets of sized and shaped cloth and felt buffing wheels that you chuck in a drill. Great for many situations.

TriFlow and a rag. Brass brush if it is difficult.

On my Campy hubs I use wd40 and a soft rag until the grime is gone. Working thru the spokes. Then follow up with a light spritz of wd40 again and buff until the Campy luster shines.
No easy way to get in there that I know of. Just keep working the rag around.

Don't forget the large pipe cleaners or a cheap set of test tube brushes.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...baeb70603.jpeg

I do the same and then hit it with Mother's to get a nice shine.

Some great ideas. Thanks everyone

For the crusty stuff I've taken to use auto tire and wheel cleaner. Spray on, use a tooth brush, wait 30-60 seconds rinse, wipe dry. Works great on brake calipers and of course rims and tires, caution it will erase the tire branding. Works like scrubbing bubbles, it's not a degreaser.

I now just take the wheels apart on bikes I have purchased that are 40-50 years old.

often, there are a few spokes that are frozen, so I check the spoke length first, make notes on should the spokes be of a different length.
I am no longer surprised by even factory wheels that were built with the wrong length.
take them apart, clean and polish as bits and rebuild.
all the spokes now are happy, wheel true and tension uniform.