So, what would be suggested to remove about five years of
brake/road grime from wheels. They're painted/coated if it makes
any difference.

I've tried
- 'Wonder Wheels' (the only wonder is how they've stayed in
business. Really not very impressed.
- Sainsburys Coke (purchased for this very task). Better than Wonder
Wheels (marginally) applied with a stiff brush and also a tired out
scotchbrite pad (retired from kitchen duties).

Not tried:
- Vinegar
- Isopropyl Alcohol (although this is likely to change).

Any suggestions (apart from invent a time machine and clean the
wheels more frequently)?

On Monday, May 9, 2022 at 1:29:22 PM UTC+1, stephen...@gmail.com wrote:
> So, what would be suggested to remove about five years of
> brake/road grime from wheels. They're painted/coated if it makes
> any difference.
>
> I've tried
> - 'Wonder Wheels' (the only wonder is how they've stayed in
> business. Really not very impressed.
> - Sainsburys Coke (purchased for this very task). Better than Wonder
> Wheels (marginally) applied with a stiff brush and also a tired out
> scotchbrite pad (retired from kitchen duties).
>
> Not tried:
> - Vinegar
> - Isopropyl Alcohol (although this is likely to change).
>
> Any suggestions (apart from invent a time machine and clean the
> wheels more frequently)?

TFR and a jetwash ?

Stephen Packer <stephen.packer@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I've tried
> - 'Wonder Wheels' (the only wonder is how they've stayed in
> business. Really not very impressed.
> - Sainsburys Coke (purchased for this very task). Better than Wonder
> Wheels (marginally) applied with a stiff brush and also a tired out
> scotchbrite pad (retired from kitchen duties).
>
> Not tried:
> - Vinegar
> - Isopropyl Alcohol (although this is likely to change).
>
> Any suggestions (apart from invent a time machine and clean the
> wheels more frequently)?

Brush with TFR, wait 10 minutes, repeat, blat off with pressure
washer using hot water.

--
http://www.netunix.com/

Stephen Packer wrote:

> what would be suggested to remove about five years of
> brake/road grime from wheels.

Sonax rim cleaner sometimes "sonax full effect" or rim cleanerplus.

If you only do them every 5 years, you probably get away with the 1L size
instead of 5L

On Monday, 9 May 2022 at 13:29:22 UTC+1, stephen...@gmail.com wrote:
> So, what would be suggested to remove about five years of
> brake/road grime from wheels. They're painted/coated if it makes
> any difference.
>
> I've tried
> - 'Wonder Wheels' (the only wonder is how they've stayed in
> business. Really not very impressed.
> - Sainsburys Coke (purchased for this very task). Better than Wonder
> Wheels (marginally) applied with a stiff brush and also a tired out
> scotchbrite pad (retired from kitchen duties).
>
> Not tried:
> - Vinegar
> - Isopropyl Alcohol (although this is likely to change).
>
> Any suggestions (apart from invent a time machine and clean the
> wheels more frequently)?

<waves hand from back of hall>

Splash £50 on a genuine Karcher wet sandblasting attachment. Goes through crud like butter, using bags of dry paving sand. Ally comes out looking beautiful. You may want to paint them again afterwards, but it isn't like you don't have the time.

My R100RS wheels looked like new and the rest of the alloy parts are about to enjoy same. As did the Brembos, back plates. shocks and suspension arms of my Evo.
Plus I brushed all the wet sand between the paving slabs...win!

On 09/05/2022 13:29, Stephen Packer wrote:
> So, what would be suggested to remove about five years of
> brake/road grime from wheels. They're painted/coated if it makes
> any difference.
>
> I've tried
> - 'Wonder Wheels' (the only wonder is how they've stayed in
> business. Really not very impressed.
> - Sainsburys Coke (purchased for this very task). Better than Wonder
> Wheels (marginally) applied with a stiff brush and also a tired out
> scotchbrite pad (retired from kitchen duties).
>
> Not tried:
> - Vinegar
> - Isopropyl Alcohol (although this is likely to change).
>
> Any suggestions (apart from invent a time machine and clean the
> wheels more frequently)?

Muc-Off seems quite good on the odd occasion that I've made some sort of
desultory gesture at cleaning one of the bikes, and others have given
good reports of it too.

On Monday, 9 May 2022 at 13:29:22 UTC+1, stephen...@gmail.com wrote:
> So, what would be suggested to remove about five years of
> brake/road grime from wheels. They're painted/coated if it makes
> any difference.
> Any suggestions (apart from invent a time machine and clean the
> wheels more frequently)?

Angle grinder.

On Tuesday, 10 May 2022 at 21:08:40 UTC+1, Hog wrote:

> Splash £50 on a genuine Karcher wet sandblasting attachment. Goes through crud like butter, using bags of dry paving sand. Ally comes out looking beautiful. You may want to paint them again afterwards, but it isn't like you don't have the time.
>
> My R100RS wheels looked like new and the rest of the alloy parts are about to enjoy same. As did the Brembos, back plates. shocks and suspension arms of my Evo.
> Plus I brushed all the wet sand between the paving slabs...win!

I'm sure that the sand blast approach would clean the wheels up nicely and as a bonus
the bearings also. However... I suspect that with my painting skills the wheels would
look shit within a few months, if not sooner; especially around the rims when tyres are
fitted. Anyway, aren't wheels normally powder coated or similar rather than sprayed?

On Wednesday, 11 May 2022 at 10:00:26 UTC+1, ogden wrote:
> On Monday, 9 May 2022 at 13:29:22 UTC+1, stephen...@gmail.com wrote:
> > So, what would be suggested to remove about five years of
> > brake/road grime from wheels. They're painted/coated if it makes
> > any difference.
> > Any suggestions (apart from invent a time machine and clean the
> > wheels more frequently)?
> Angle grinder.

Almost as ridiculous a proposal as sandblast and repaint.

stephen...@gmail.com wrote:
> ogden wrote:
> > stephen...@gmail.com wrote:
> > > So, what would be suggested to remove about five years of
> > > brake/road grime from wheels. They're painted/coated if it makes
> > > any difference.
> > > Any suggestions (apart from invent a time machine and clean the
> > > wheels more frequently)?
>
> > Angle grinder.
>>
Almost as ridiculous a proposal as sandblast and repaint.

I was just dismayed nobody had suggested it yet. This place has gone to the dogs.

On Wednesday, 11 May 2022 at 17:06:13 UTC+1, ogden wrote:
> stephen...@gmail.com wrote:
> > ogden wrote:

> > > Angle grinder.
> >>
> Almost as ridiculous a proposal as sandblast and repaint.
> I was just dismayed nobody had suggested it yet. This place has gone to the dogs.

It's the slow onset of dementia that I blame.

Tell me about your SDS drill.

On 09/05/2022 13:29, Stephen Packer wrote:
> So, what would be suggested to remove about five years of
> brake/road grime from wheels. They're painted/coated if it makes
> any difference.
>
> I've tried
> - 'Wonder Wheels' (the only wonder is how they've stayed in
> business. Really not very impressed.
> - Sainsburys Coke (purchased for this very task). Better than Wonder
> Wheels (marginally) applied with a stiff brush and also a tired out
> scotchbrite pad (retired from kitchen duties).
>
> Not tried:
> - Vinegar
> - Isopropyl Alcohol (although this is likely to change).
>
> Any suggestions (apart from invent a time machine and clean the
> wheels more frequently)?

Battery, or hydrochloric, acid.

It works on car wheels anyway.

--
/Simon

On 11/05/2022 17:06, ogden wrote:
> stephen...@gmail.com wrote:
>> ogden wrote:
>>> stephen...@gmail.com wrote:
>>>> So, what would be suggested to remove about five years of
>>>> brake/road grime from wheels. They're painted/coated if it makes
>>>> any difference.
>>>> Any suggestions (apart from invent a time machine and clean the
>>>> wheels more frequently)?
>>
>>> Angle grinder.
>>>
> Almost as ridiculous a proposal as sandblast and repaint.
>
> I was just dismayed nobody had suggested it yet. This place has gone to the dogs.

Indeed. My normal/previous response would have been 'flame thrower' but
I just CBA...

Chris

--
The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550t
http://www.Deuchars.org.uk

Stephen Packer wrote:

> So, what would be suggested to remove about five years of
> brake/road grime from wheels. They're painted/coated if it makes
> any difference.

> Any suggestions (apart from invent a time machine and clean the
> wheels more frequently)?

On aluminium spoked wheels (and engine cases) I've used this:
https://www.hids-direct.co.uk/swarfega-metal-cleaner-and-restorer-5ltr-smc5lb/

It's pretty effective but avoid letting it dry on.

Not sure about painted/coated wheels.

--
Simon

sweller wrote:

> Not sure about painted/coated wheels.

I have sprayed it on painted surfaces to no, apparent, ill effect but
they weren't what I was trying to clean.

--
Simon

On Friday, 13 May 2022 at 05:48:35 UTC+1, sweller wrote:

> On aluminium spoked wheels (and engine cases) I've used this:
> https://www.hids-direct.co.uk/swarfega-metal-cleaner-and-restorer-5ltr-smc5lb/
>
> It's pretty effective but avoid letting it dry on.
>
> Not sure about painted/coated wheels.

Ah, same ingredient as the cola I used (phosphoric acid). Doubt it makes the
wheels so attractive to lick afterwards though.

Stephen Packer wrote:

> > On aluminium spoked wheels (and engine cases) I've used this:
> > https://www.hids-direct.co.uk/swarfega-metal-cleaner-and-restorer-5l
> > tr-smc5lb/
> >
> > It's pretty effective but avoid letting it dry on.
> >
> > Not sure about painted/coated wheels.
>
> Ah, same ingredient as the cola I used (phosphoric acid). Doubt it
> makes the wheels so attractive to lick afterwards though.

Unlike cola, this stuff burns skin if you splash it on you. Licking is
probably not encouraged.

--
Simon

On 13/05/2022 12:24, sweller wrote:
> Licking is probably not encouraged.

Nothing wrong with a little danger, biker boy.

--
Eddie eddie@deguello.org

siwilson <siwilson@nodamnspam.hotmail.com> wrote:

> On 09/05/2022 13:29, Stephen Packer wrote:
> > So, what would be suggested to remove about five years of
> > brake/road grime from wheels. They're painted/coated if it makes
> > any difference.
>
> Battery, or hydrochloric, acid.
>
> It works on car wheels anyway.

Be careful with battery (sulphuric) acid, since water evaporates from it
leaving residues of more concentrated acid left, if not flushed away
100% with water (or neutralised by other suitable chemicals).

IIRC, commercial "wheel cleaners" used hydrochloric acid as the active
ingredient. These days they may be less effective due to HS
restrictions. But the good thing about HCl is that it evaporates from
aqueous solutions, and won't burn holes in your jeans.

A couple of years ago I found "Spirits of salt" in half litre bottles at
Homebase for a couple of quids. Around 35 % HCl - would probably work
well on wheels even diluted 1:20. Also very effective for cleaning
stainless steel exhaust downpipes.

--
ts // scrap vehicle to send e-mail
Four Boxers
Kawa GPz750

On Fri, 13 May 2022 14:30:43 +0100, Eddie <eddie@deguello.org> wrote:

>On 13/05/2022 12:24, sweller wrote:
>> Licking is probably not encouraged.

>Nothing wrong with a little danger, biker boy.

I hestitate to call you predicatable, but I knew what your post was
going to say before I clicked on it
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

On 14/05/2022 12:56, Champ wrote:
> On Fri, 13 May 2022 14:30:43 +0100, Eddie <eddie@deguello.org> wrote:
>
>> On 13/05/2022 12:24, sweller wrote:
>>> Licking is probably not encouraged.
>
>> Nothing wrong with a little danger, biker boy.
>
> I hestitate to call you predicatable, but I knew what your post was
> going to say before I clicked on it

Somebody had to do it.

--
Eddie eddie@deguello.org

On Sat, 14 May 2022 15:56:46 +0100, Eddie <eddie@deguello.org> wrote:

>On 14/05/2022 12:56, Champ wrote:
>> On Fri, 13 May 2022 14:30:43 +0100, Eddie <eddie@deguello.org> wrote:
>>
>>> On 13/05/2022 12:24, sweller wrote:
>>>> Licking is probably not encouraged.
>>
>>> Nothing wrong with a little danger, biker boy.
>>
>> I hestitate to call you predicatable, but I knew what your post was
>> going to say before I clicked on it
>
>Somebody had to do it.

Not really; it had to be you.
--
Ace
http://www.chaletbeauroc.com/

On Wednesday, 11 May 2022 at 14:42:56 UTC+1, stephen...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Tuesday, 10 May 2022 at 21:08:40 UTC+1, Hog wrote:
>
>
> > Splash £50 on a genuine Karcher wet sandblasting attachment. Goes through crud like butter, using bags of dry paving sand. Ally comes out looking beautiful. You may want to paint them again afterwards, but it isn't like you don't have the time.
> >
> > My R100RS wheels looked like new and the rest of the alloy parts are about to enjoy same. As did the Brembos, back plates. shocks and suspension arms of my Evo.
> > Plus I brushed all the wet sand between the paving slabs...win!
> I'm sure that the sand blast approach would clean the wheels up nicely and as a bonus
> the bearings also. However... I suspect that with my painting skills the wheels would
> look shit within a few months, if not sooner; especially around the rims when tyres are
> fitted. Anyway, aren't wheels normally powder coated or similar rather than sprayed?

One puts the axle back in and tapes it up so the bearings are fine.
I wasn't suggesting repainting, although I recently had mine powder coated. Leave it bare ally, like the forks, engine etc on the Airhead. Just needs the occasional going over again.

It's also doing a luvverly job on the downpipes of my Superduke, they look like new (being cold drawn stainless)