Cleaning spokes

[awa355]

Had a look thru the search thingy but couldn't find anything to answer my question. The spokes on my GB have a heavy coating of gray grime.

I was going to have a go with the steelo pads, Not too keen on using a wire brush in a drill. Had thought of trying a very fine grade of emery paper. Autosol ? Rubbing the spokes with a rag soaked in crc?

Anybody tackled this job before? The rims are fine, spokes all good and tight so I dont want to disturb anything.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

[FJRider]

Hot water with detergent ... and a soft cloth.

[pete376403]

I wonder how mag wheel cleaner (for cars) would go, as car wheels, especially the fronts, get brake dust shit on them which can be difficult to remove.

Were the spokes originally chromed, or just painted?

[tri boy]

Rag with Kerosine to remove most of the grime.
Soft cloth and liquid Autosol for gentle cleaning, or Autosol paste for the more weathered spokes. MHO

[SMOKEU]

If nothing else works you may have to use a fine grit wet and dry sandpaper. 800 or 1000 grit ought to do the trick quite nicely.

[Flip]

Depends what the spokes are made from.

Zinc plated steel, just soap and water (or non-corrosive mag wheel cleaner). The zinc protects the steel from corrosion but is consumed doing so. Hard to get a shine on these.

Chrome plated steel, soap and water (or non-corrosive mag wheel cleaner) then chrome polish.

Stainless steel, Soap and water (or non-corrosive mag wheel cleaner) then chrome polish.

So says the fat old bugger on the harley.

[awa355]

The spokes have cleaned up quite well. I used a can of German made chain cleaner that came with the Solo chainsaw. Sprayed it on a rag and wiped down the spokes. Cleaned up the rear hub as well.