How do you clean braking surface of rims?
03-17-10, 06:24 PM
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How do you clean braking surface of rims?
After a ride in the rain I cleaned and oiled my drivetrain. Somehow I got oil on my rear rim and braking is uneven. My first inclination was to use windex to get the grease off of my but I recall doing this on my MTB and having a squeaky braking problem for quite a while. What do you guys use to clean the braking surface of your rims when you get oil on them? Suggestions welcome and appreciated!
03-17-10, 06:47 PM
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Simple Green works for me without any squeaking. Just be sure to rinse it off pretty well. You can also try plain old dish soap.
03-17-10, 06:55 PM
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03-17-10, 07:37 PM
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Thanks! I used alcohol (don't know what %) and it worked perfectly. Took bike for a ride around the block and everything is good. Decided to do some time on the trainer later tonight because I'm concerned about riding at night on St. Patty's day. Too much green beer flowing (unfortunately not to me) and I don't want to get hit by someone celebrating this fun day.
Cheers,
FB
Cheers,
FB
03-17-10, 07:45 PM
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Soap and water when you wash the rest of your bike, you do wash it after every ride, right? 
03-17-10, 08:02 PM
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Denatured Alcohol was recommended by an old wrench I know and respect. He said it is good for rim cleaning and also leaves no residue, hence no squeak. I bought a can at Home Depot.
03-17-10, 08:02 PM
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After any rain ride (or every few hundred dry miles): fine steel wool for the hoops and 220 sandpaper to the pads. Wipe with 91% alcohol.
03-17-10, 08:04 PM
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automotive brake cleaner will work well.
03-17-10, 08:07 PM
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After most of my rides I do not have the energy to do more than dry the bike off (if it's wet) and hang it up. Maybe when I'm in better shape I'll be able to do all of those things (sand rims, pads, etc.). I wipe my ties off with a wet rag and check for glass before I stumble into the house for a shower.
The alcohol tip works great. Thanks again! I used standard alcohol (ISO) I found in the bathroom. The last time I used Windex, which is mostly alcohol, but it made the bike squeeky. No squeeks with alcohol!
The alcohol tip works great. Thanks again! I used standard alcohol (ISO) I found in the bathroom. The last time I used Windex, which is mostly alcohol, but it made the bike squeeky. No squeeks with alcohol!
03-17-10, 08:07 PM
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Isopropyl and the rough side of one of those kitchen sponges with a rough side. Straight butta!
03-17-10, 10:59 PM
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Do you keep that stuff laying around the garage? Is it safe for your paint?
It depends on the type; the non-chlorinated stuff is a bit less harsh then the chlorinated type. I know on most automotive finishes (mainly engine bay exposure) it is pretty harmless. New paint it will eat with a desire though, and it may dull the finish on certain paints. You could spray into a rag then wipe the rims if you are cautious... Carb cleaner will kill paint FYI!!!
It really does not affect anodizing either. Definitely do not spray it into both eyes... just saying
Last edited by S14-Racer; 03-17-10 at 11:04 PM.
03-17-10, 11:14 PM
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I had a horrendous brake squeal problem for a week on my 2-month old Cervelo last year. I couldn't figure out what it was for the longest while, but I finally did learn how to properly clean my rims.
- Do NOT use Simple Green! It leaves a slight residue , which in my case, was significant enough to cause some really bad brake squealing.
- Isopropyl alcohol (get it at CVS or your drugstore for $3 for a big bottle) and a green kitchen scrubber pad is the way to go. You can get your rims to new condition with this. This completely solved the brake squeal problem for me.
- Do NOT use Simple Green! It leaves a slight residue , which in my case, was significant enough to cause some really bad brake squealing.
- Isopropyl alcohol (get it at CVS or your drugstore for $3 for a big bottle) and a green kitchen scrubber pad is the way to go. You can get your rims to new condition with this. This completely solved the brake squeal problem for me.
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03-18-10, 08:38 AM
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Swissstop and Mavic have rubber rim cleaning blocks that, if used sparingly, work really well and eliminate the use of chemicals altogether.
03-18-10, 10:31 AM
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I have some of this from my smoking days! Isn't naptha lighter fluid? You can also use it to clean a guitar. It's very gentle on the finish (don't squirt directly on the guitar or smoke while using).
03-18-10, 10:41 AM
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03-18-10, 10:51 AM
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I just use a shop rag. No solvents.
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"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
03-18-10, 12:10 PM
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03-18-10, 12:41 PM
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This strikes me as a heck of a lot of work for little or no return.
I never clean the brake surfaces of clincher rims, and have not had any problem with braking, brake noise, or wear of the rims.
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03-18-10, 12:55 PM
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Rubbing alcohol. period. Scotch brite pad with the RA if needed but usually just a rag.
I wipe down a butt-ton of rims. Think about it. Removes oil and residue quickly and leave nothing behind except for a clean surface.
Chirpy brakes - sand the pads and remove bits of aluminum that have worked their way in. Doesn't work? Toe the pads.
I wipe down a butt-ton of rims. Think about it. Removes oil and residue quickly and leave nothing behind except for a clean surface.
Chirpy brakes - sand the pads and remove bits of aluminum that have worked their way in. Doesn't work? Toe the pads.
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