Wheel Cleaning

[Draig]

Finally succumbed to giving the old girl a late spring clean (normally it gets a quick power hose down if i've been out in winter) and can't seem to get the c**p off my front wheel.

Rear seems fine for a P reg bike (apart from the scuffs the dozy gits at my local garage put in when changing the tyre!) and cleans up not to shabby with Autoglym and a little elbow grease.

but the front is terrible so far i've power hosed it, used Gunk, Brake cleaner, autoglym and Holts wheel cleaners and parrafin with a toothbrush but no luck (only the old standby of Dremel and Autosol (on a test patch) only seems to work so far but even that took effort). So to save me removing the wheel and hand Dremeling the lot anyone got any tips or tricks? T-cut? Shotblasting and powder coat?

(Dirt seems to be a mix of grey brake dust and what seems to be a surface corrosion (do these wheels corrode??) but so far resists nearly everything throw at it.)

 

[Rob Farmer]

I don't know if it will work now the mucks ground in so far. BMW make there own ally wheel cleaner

Have a look at this old thread http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13658&highlight=wheel+cleaner

 

[Den]

Old socks on yer hands. Thats the best way to apply polish/solvol.
Or. Brasso and a toothbrush. Brush like feck until its like black mud your brushing around. Let it dry the blast off with jetwash. Then you can start polishing if you want the tarka shine.

 

[THE DOCTOR]

Finally succumbed to giving the old girl a late spring clean (normally it gets a quick power hose down if i've been out in winter) and can't seem to get the c**p off my front wheel.

...the front is terrible so far i've power hosed it, used Gunk, Brake cleaner, autoglym and Holts wheel cleaners and parrafin with a toothbrush but no luck (only the old standby of Dremel and Autosol (on a test patch) only seems to work so far but even that took effort). So to save me removing the wheel and hand Dremeling the lot anyone got any tips or tricks? T-cut? Shotblasting and powder coat?

(Dirt seems to be a mix of grey brake dust and what seems to be a surface corrosion (do these wheels corrode??) but so far resists nearly everything throw at it.)

Instead of 'finally succuming' I suggest you change your ways & clean a little but regularly! It may be too late now so I can't suggest a solution to your present predicament.

I can't help but clean my bike thoroughly after every ride.
Even after a 4 day ride to Scotland I spent 45 minutes cleaning (& drinking Stella) before I put it away.

..maybe it's just me?

 

[Tarka]

I can't help but clean my bike thoroughly after every ride.

..maybe it's just me?

No fella...it aint`t....

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65974&highlight=spent+afternoon+loved

 

[PIGGLET]

If you can't be arsed with regular buffing you could smother your hoops in ACF 50 once you've got them nice and clean. They'll end up looking shi!!y again after a while but should be clean under the goo.

 

[Dickieboy]

Another vote for Brasso quicker and easier than Autosol and the same result

 

[Draig]

Cheers guys

Looks like Brasso time.

Rest of the bike gets a quick hose and wash fairly regular so looks fine but big wash (wheels, tiny nooks and crannies) only happens a couple of times a year (prefer to ride than polish )

ACF50..is that the same sort of stuff as Scottoiler F365? as spray that on engine and bits at the mo.