Topic: Spoke cleaning

[beemerbum]

What is a good method for cleaning spokes in the wheel? Are there any products out there that would facilitate the process. I'm looking at corrosion and a bit of rust.

[flybox1]

I hate cleaning spokes 
Nothing gets them looking new like....new spokes! 
Mothers 'cone' polishing tool for your power drill
Elbow grease with some steel wool+metal polish

[Ichiban 4]

Extremely fine steel wool 0000 and WD 40. Encircle spoke and rub up-and-down just until you get the oxidation and/or rust off.  Try to leave the zinc coating on if you can (if rusted..usually have to take zinc off).  Don't use coarser steel wool..or it definitely will take zinc off (which was what stock spokes had on them BTW).

If heavily oxidized or rusted..after cleaning..you'll probably need to wipe down with cloth or paper towel with some WD 40 on it..periodically to keep from rusting.  Depends on weather and moisture conditions exposed to. With my garaged bike..and infrequent riding..I do it a couple of times per year (wipe down with WD 40 that is). Also keep the WD 40 off of you brakes and tires LOL!

Ichi

[Gene]

Yep - these things ^^^^^ I've had good luck with steel wool (Zinc long gone on the 550) and wipe them down w/WD 40.  I keep threatening to get them re-laced but every time I clean them up they seem salvageable.

[Ichiban 4]

Yep - these things ^^^^^ I've had good luck with steel wool (Zinc long gone on the 550) and wipe them down w/WD 40.  I keep threatening to get them re-laced but every time I clean them up they seem salvageable.

_________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi Gene.  Well in the old days (read pre-1960's) Most of us were young..didn't have the luxury..or money for that matter..to just go out and buy new spokes..let alone new wheels..or have them rebuilt (didn't call it "re-lacing" then..as ALL bike wheels had wire spokes LOL!).  I also worked in a bike/lawnmower shop during summers..and we offered "spring tune-ups" on bicycles and motorbikes (Whizzers mainly).  WD 40 and steel wool on the spokes was standard procedure..and usually lasted for years..if regularly maintained.

We also had our shoes re-soled periodically..returned milk and coke bottles for deposit..composted our table scraps and a whole lot of other stuff..that is considered "environmentally correct" nowadays. Was just part of growing-up post WW ll

Geeze..I never thought I'd be going on about the "good old days"..but guess I'm old enough now to qualify for that..LOL!

Take care..

Ichi

[Gene]

Yep - these things ^^^^^ I've had good luck with steel wool (Zinc long gone on the 550) and wipe them down w/WD 40.  I keep threatening to get them re-laced but every time I clean them up they seem salvageable.

_________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi Gene.  Well in the old days (read pre-1960's) Most of us were young..didn't have the luxury..or money for that matter..to just go out and buy new spokes..let alone new wheels..or have them rebuilt (didn't call it "re-lacing" then..as ALL bike wheels had wire spokes LOL!).  I also worked in a bike/lawnmower shop during summers..and we offered "spring tune-ups" on bicycles and motorbikes (Whizzers mainly).  WD 40 and steel wool on the spokes was standard procedure..and usually lasted for years..if regularly maintained.

We also had our shoes re-soled periodically..returned milk and coke bottles for deposit..composted our table scraps and a whole lot of other stuff..that is considered "environmentally correct" nowadays. Was just part of growing-up post WW ll

Geeze..I never thought I'd be going on about the "good old days"..but guess I'm old enough now (72) to qualify for that..LOL!

Take care..

Ichi

Glad to know I'm not crazy.