Wheel Cleaner - What's hot?

[Rabbitson]

Tried to clean the wheel the other day using only WD40 which I gave up with after about five minutes.

Bike is clean, wheels are not

What's the best product/technique for cleaning them?

 

[Explorer]

First get a good brush-some kitchen brushes have a good angled small head for getting in the tight spaces. Wonder Wheel' is good - but make sure you wash it off ihn the time specified. I also got something from Halfordscalled Extreme Wheel Cleaner in a green flourescent bottle which weas very good. Elbow grease is essential-and there is a "nuclear option" which I would only recommend if your wheel's are old and past it like mine-and that's oven cleaner. My wheels were black (from 60k miles of cak-not a factory finish) and I giot them back to the silver alloy. They have not corroded yet-and I made sure I used a lot of water quickly to wash the cvhemicals off.
Enjoy

Explorer

 

[Rabbitson]

Thanks for the tips, I have used Jif in the past as a kind if 'nuclear option' on some white GPZ600 wheels and it seemed to work, but I was wondering if the silver finished spoked wheels might become more prone to corrosion after such a clean.

The condition of the wheels isn't that good anyway, I don't know if they have any lacquer on as standard, but the alumunium on them seems oxidise after only a night or two out in the rain!!

Also tried wonder wheels before and it was good (although again that was on lacquered Jap bike wheels), the problem is that I don't know what the dutch equivalent of that is!!

 

[needlongerlegs]

wonder wheels Nooooooooooooooo

Nasty stuff corroded my spokes and sprocket on me Trumpet

Its a bit to acidic from BMW alloys and its the damage it does behind th scenes ie in crevices etc and bolt holes all the alloy has a wild old time growing white stuff.

G...

 

[Keith Chapman]

Wheel Cleaner - What's hot?

The water with the soapy stuff in.

 

[Rob Farmer]

BMW's own wheel cleaner is excellent I've used it on my wheels for years. It's cheap as well...only £2.75 for 500ml and its meant for the job.

 

[BTBR]

Try ProClean, its really aimed at the dirt bike segment but it is ideal for road bikes as well, its the real McCoy.....
But be warned, do not put it on to a dry bike or alloys and DONT leave it on to long otherwise it will cause lots of messy streaks which you will not be able to get rid of.

Make sure that the bike is wetted all over and simply spray it on and wash it off, works better combined with a jet wash than a hose to be fair.

I have been using it for years now and am really happy with it, but I would suggest that you water it down a little from its raw state.
One litre of water to four litres of ProClean, it still works just as good.

Buy it in the 25 litre bottles rather than the normal 5 litre bottles and you will save a fortune.


Alan

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

ProClean

I wouldn't..............not under any circumstances............not even on my XR or Trials bikes............let alone the GS...........at your peril

 

[Rainman]

Proclean

Use it at your own peril !!

I did - just my luck, having used it for years, I had a rogue batch. Totally shagged the anodised rims & lots of other bits. The company were really helpful & put everything right on the bike. I've still got some left if anyone wants it!!

Soap, elbow grease & water from now on.

 

[Jon]

Muck-Off works fine on my 650 Dakar wheels

 

[Rabbitson]

Thanks guys, I am bit confused about what you are actually trying to warn me against, is it the jif or the Wonder Wheels or . . . . . . something else?

 

[BTBR]

If not used correctly any cleaning agent has the potential to do damage, some more than others.

Like Wonder Wheels, great suff and works a treat but dont put it on dry or warm alloys!!

I can only speak as I find in so much that ProClean works fine for me, but not in its raw state as I mentioned before.

Spray it on and wash it off, leave it on to long and yes it will do damage to alloys paint and yer pocket.

Alan

 

[Ming]

auto glym wheel cleaner and a karcher long bristled brush

brilliant!!

 

[Rabbitson]

thanks for all the tips, anyone know the BMW part number of their wheel cleaner, the dealer seems pretty sure there's no such thing.

Part number should confirm it

Mant thanks,

David

 

[Rob Farmer]

I'll sort out the number tonight. On the shelf at Pidcocks.

 

[Rob Farmer]

Part Number is MC83.12.9.408.524 Rim Cleaner @ £2.98 + VAT

 

[Rabbitson]

Thanks Rob, that should allow me to get some of the 'non-existent' wheel cleaner from the dealer!!

 

[peter thompson]

Wheel cleaner.

If you can get it, use Swarfega, the green hand cleaner, you can work it into all the nooks and crannies use it with one off those cheapo kitchen sponge/scouring pads works wonders and its safe. makes the tyres look nice too.

 

[Rabbitson]

hmmmm, never thought of that, sounds interesting.

cheers

David

 

[Greg Masters]

Try: Autoglym Motorcycle Cleaner - it works well for me, but keep it away from black surfaces (like handlebars) as it takes the shine off.

Greg