Topic: SPOKE POLISHING...and other tortures...

[cbjunkie]

anybody polished their spokes? - i have a 16" rear wheel with some snotty spokes, the rim is fairly decent, but i'm going to want to replace OR polish the spokes.

there is a set on ebay for 30 bux right now - any comments or advice on this topic?

[ElCheapo]

I cant say that I have ever done a "spoke polishing". I ave gotten to where I can respoke a rim (less tire removal) in the same amount of time that most (not all) can polish spokes. But I am game to watch and listen.

[cbjunkie]

i thought you were done with the disturbing avatars...

i've heard of people using shoelaces dipped in or rubbed over polishing compounds...that way you leave'em on to polish.

[ElCheapo]

i thought you were done with the disturbing avatars...

Sorry, could not resist 

[Jonesy]

I've seen rolls of spoke polishing cord in the J&P Cycle catalog, but have yet to try it. Supposedly you can just wrap it around the spoke and pull back and forth, cleaning them up rather quickly. After going through the hell of relacing a wheel, I'd polish them unless they are too far gone or physically damaged.

[cbjunkie]

mine are short...they're laced into a 16" rim - honestly i haven't gotten down close enough to them to know if the rust is all that bad or not...the rims look in good shape and won't need much to shine up...the spokes have some patina for sure...

[6pkrunner]

Yup! I try to find the best rims possible for a basis to start from. Even a good rim can eat up 4-5 hours doing the spokes. I use fine SOS pad lightly to clean any real harsh rust spots. but generally the red polishing paste will take care of any rust not solidly embedded. Then some liquid white rouge to really make them come alive. Then about 5 coats of Meguire's or Mother's wax to seal them. A rim can chew up 5 or so toothbrushes very easily.

[dusterdude]

i thought you were done with the disturbing avatars...

Sorry, could not resist 

tom,your are truly a disturbed individual.semper fi!!!

[mcpuffett]

never bothered trying to polish spokes before usually just give them a sand down and paint them with aliuminum paint with a little paint brush  best done on a winters night in the front room whilst watching tv   mick.

[Uncle Ernie]

"I've heard of people using shoelaces dipped in or rubbed over polishing compounds...that way you leave'em on to polish."
cbjunkie- how does that work? I've tried it before but my boot keeps getting caught.

[cbjunkie]

   bust! 

[Magpie]

I have polished my spokes but they looked better than yours to start with. Assemble the following: Scotch Brite scouring pads, Autosol metal polish, Mothers metal polish, towels to rip into polishing and buffing cloths, a 6 pack (or more) of your favorite beverage and a ton of patience. Use the scouring pads carefully on the rusty parts, polish first with Autosol and finish with the Mothers. Liberal amounts of the beverage with dull the pain in your polishing fingers. Patience is a key ingrediant too. Unless you have the money to buy new spokes and re-build the wheel. I went the cheap time consuming way.
Cheers,
Cliff.

[Uncle Ernie]

You guys are just plain nuts.  A light spray of chain wax keeps the spokes from rusting in the first place.  If you're putting on new spokes, aren't stainless steel available for these bikes? I seriously didn't think anyone actually polished spokes except for a show or something.

[cbjunkie]

Unky Ernie,
well i guess you didn't look very close at my photo of the spokes...they're a little too far gone to polish  ...what i'm interested in doing is arresting the progress of the iron oxide and getting a more or less impervious and hopefully shiny finish.

i MAY just buy some. but, i am entertaining the option of de-rustifying the ones i have and saving a little cheese. it's an open ended thread... 

[Uncle Ernie]

Silver paint. I used some a couple of times, can't remember what it's called exactly.  Paint it and THEN spray the chain wax- it'll look stock!