cudak888 

I've heard of using whitening toothpaste, pumiceless Gojo, and Simple Green (although I'd be very wary of using the latter, for it's known to easily eat the anodizing off aluminum parts within a matter of hours) to clean white bar tape.

As the above suggestions came from the roadie forum, I figured they were all cleaning suggestions for thick, modern cork bar tape, which most certainly is not the same as cotton tape.

Being the Retrogrouch that I am though, I won't use anything but cotton (or cello) bar tape. Of course, I HAD to use white cotton to boot, and sure enough, it's more then noticably dirty after the first three rides.

Anyone here at Cranky & Vintage have a solution for cleaning cotton bar tape without ill effects? Appriciate any suggestions.

Take care,

-Kurt

lotek 

There was a thread about this recently (CR list? within last 2 weeks) and I believe
that goo gone was mentioned as a means of cleaning (or was it goof off, one of the
two).

Marty

cudak888 

Wasn't that discussion about removing the sticky residue off the tape, not exactly about procedure to clean the tape after rides?

If so, it was Goo Gone that was suggested. I've used it, doesn't really clean the usual brown spots off the actual cotton.

-Kurt

Otis

A rag soaked with mineral spirits with some light "shoe-shine" action works well on any bar tape. Great for cotten as it will clean, and get rid of any excess glue that leaches out around the tape edges. Simple Green works great as well for just cleaning. Simple Green will only spot alloy parts if left on too long or if parts are set to soak in it. Spray it on the rag not the bike.

ChrisLite

I've shellaced all the white cotton I've used for this very reason and because the color-change has always been the lesser of two evils. It's just occured to me though - for bare white cotton why not use a diluted bleach solution to get rid of the lingering discoloration after cleaning with some type of solvent?

MillCreek

I would also think of using a dilute bleach solution. Of course, since bleach (sodium hypochlorite) also corrodes aluminum upon prolonged contact, thorough rinsing afterwards with clear water is just the ticket.

james Haury

Have you checked the availability of Bar tape from Rivendell?

cudak888 

Will try the mineral spirits. Shellacing isn't an option in this case, for I don't care for the effect of it.


What exactly do you mean?

-Kurt

cyclezen

never found a way to clean cotton tape...

stuff absorbs everything...
I knew one guy who tried to bleach his... within 2 rides, the palms on his gloves (leather & mesh) just disintegrated
we assumed it was the bleach absorbed by the tape...
Back then ALL gloves disintegrated in a month or so, his just seemed to fall off his hands in 2 rides

if we saw a bike with clean white tape - garage queen - or it was Eddy's bike (mosts pros) - his mech made sure he had fresh tape, every day.
everyone else used blk