grant40

I installed a tubular tire for the 1st time yesterday. It was really messy but you got to start somewhere. I got glue everywhere the brake track on the rim. Is there any way to remove it without damaging the tire or rim. I can't just have the brake pads rub it off as I ride fixed gear with no brakes.

JohnDThompson 

On a brakeless track bike, there's no compelling reason to remove glue from the rim sidewalls. Dave Tesch used to glory in this, smearing mass quantities Clément red rim cement with little regard for where it ended up.

But if it bothers you, a rag with some odorless mineral spirits should soften the glue enough to allow it to be scraped off.

cxwrench

Mineral spirits probably won't do it. I've always used lacquer thinner, it works great especially if you clean right after mounting the tire. I've probably mounted over 1500 tubulars so I've tried everything. Lacquer thinner is by far the best, most easily acquired, not hugely nasty stuff you can get. I can't stand seeing glue on rims/tires, to me it means that the person that installed the tire doesn't really care about the quality of their work.

79pmooney

I got some Tubasti rim cement on my rim doing my first in 20 years. Took it off with lacquer thinner just fine but cvould not get rid of the noisy "grabbies" of the brake shoes using more lacquer thinner, Simple Green and dish detergent in all possible orders. Then I read here about treating the rm with garden dirt. Yup, Works. 500 or miles later I might have to give it another once over.

KerryIrons

The best solvent is an aromatic, like toluene (aka toluol) or xylene. The latter is available at my local hardware store. Much better solvent than mineral spirits or alcohols or acetone, etc.