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#1
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cleaning of rims
The rear canti brakes on my touring bike were being less effective than
before (I was guessing that when I waxed my chain, some stray wax flakes got onto the rear wheel brake track), so I spent a half hour cleaning my rims. 1) Is there a best way to do this? I just spun the wheel while I wiped the brake track with a paper towel dampened with mineral spirits. 2) Do they ever actually come clean? I was at it for a half hour and the paper towel was still turning black where I was wiping the rim (although possibly a more silvery black). And does it really matter, or is it just good enough to take off any chunky bits and grease stains? |
#2
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cleaning of rims
On Wed, 9 Jun 2021 05:28:16 +0000 (UTC), Ralph Barone
wrote: The rear canti brakes on my touring bike were being less effective than before (I was guessing that when I waxed my chain, some stray wax flakes got onto the rear wheel brake track), so I spent a half hour cleaning my rims. 1) Is there a best way to do this? I just spun the wheel while I wiped the brake track with a paper towel dampened with mineral spirits. 2) Do they ever actually come clean? I was at it for a half hour and the paper towel was still turning black where I was wiping the rim (although possibly a more silvery black). And does it really matter, or is it just good enough to take off any chunky bits and grease stains? The braking area on the rims should be clean and dry I would also consider cleaning the brake pads, to the extent of perhaps refacing them (carefully) with sandpaper as the pads can become coated with whatever until they provide little braking friction. Also see Sheldon Brown's site for all sort of information about bicycles and bicycle problems. https://www.sheldonbrown.com/ For moving pictures see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zfeizkf57bA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiBwia-ru3k -- Cheers, John B. |
#3
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cleaning of rims
On Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 7:28:20 AM UTC+2, Ralph Barone wrote:
The rear canti brakes on my touring bike were being less effective than before (I was guessing that when I waxed my chain, some stray wax flakes got onto the rear wheel brake track), so I spent a half hour cleaning my rims. 1) Is there a best way to do this? I just spun the wheel while I wiped the brake track with a paper towel dampened with mineral spirits. 2) Do they ever actually come clean? I was at it for a half hour and the paper towel was still turning black where I was wiping the rim (although possibly a more silvery black). And does it really matter, or is it just good enough to take off any chunky bits and grease stains? I always clean the brake surfaces of the rims with isopropanol after a bike wash or a rainy ride. After this the brake surfaces are as good as it gets. Lou |
#4
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cleaning of rims
On 09/06/2021 06:28, Ralph Barone wrote:
The rear canti brakes on my touring bike were being less effective than before (I was guessing that when I waxed my chain, some stray wax flakes got onto the rear wheel brake track), so I spent a half hour cleaning my rims. 1) Is there a best way to do this? I just spun the wheel while I wiped the brake track with a paper towel dampened with mineral spirits. 2) Do they ever actually come clean? I was at it for a half hour and the paper towel was still turning black where I was wiping the rim (although possibly a more silvery black). And does it really matter, or is it just good enough to take off any chunky bits and grease stains? I mainly use hot soapy water, I only use white spirit if there is a serious problem. For a serious problem, Maybe a toothbrush and white spirt, followed by hot soapy water, followed by a rinse with the hose However where I live the rain and normal braking keeps the rims relatively clean. Replacing the brake blocks can make a big difference. Brand of brake blocks makes a big difference. |
#5
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cleaning of rims
On 6/8/2021 10:28 PM, Ralph Barone wrote:
The rear canti brakes on my touring bike were being less effective than before (I was guessing that when I waxed my chain, some stray wax flakes got onto the rear wheel brake track), so I spent a half hour cleaning my rims. 1) Is there a best way to do this? I just spun the wheel while I wiped the brake track with a paper towel dampened with mineral spirits. 2) Do they ever actually come clean? I was at it for a half hour and the paper towel was still turning black where I was wiping the rim (although possibly a more silvery black). And does it really matter, or is it just good enough to take off any chunky bits and grease stains? You could use some polishing paper, which is typically 3000 grit sandpaper and is used to polish clear coat finishes. But personally I think mineral spirits/isopropyl alcohol/kerosene, etc., is sufficient. |
#6
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cleaning of rims
On 6/9/2021 12:28 AM, Ralph Barone wrote:
The rear canti brakes on my touring bike were being less effective than before (I was guessing that when I waxed my chain, some stray wax flakes got onto the rear wheel brake track), so I spent a half hour cleaning my rims. 1) Is there a best way to do this? I just spun the wheel while I wiped the brake track with a paper towel dampened with mineral spirits. 2) Do they ever actually come clean? I was at it for a half hour and the paper towel was still turning black where I was wiping the rim (although possibly a more silvery black). And does it really matter, or is it just good enough to take off any chunky bits and grease stains? Try brake cleaner. Also, open the brake and look at your pads, they're likely contaminated. Clean those and if they're deeply gouged pass a file or emery across the surface. -- Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org/ Open every day since 1 April, 1971 |
#7
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cleaning of rims
I agree with Andrew: a stronger solvent than mineral spirits or alcohol works much better. Mineral spirits leave a residue. I use either lacquer thinner or automotive pre-paint degreaser, which works the best, IMHO, because it is specially formulated for this. But don't get the lacquer thinner on the sidewalls of your tires; it might do something bad to them; not sure.
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#8
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cleaning of rims
On 6/9/2021 7:52 AM, William Crowell wrote:
I agree with Andrew: a stronger solvent than mineral spirits or alcohol works much better. Mineral spirits leave a residue. I use either lacquer thinner or automotive pre-paint degreaser, which works the best, IMHO, because it is specially formulated for this. But don't get the lacquer thinner on the sidewalls of your tires; it might do something bad to them; not sure. Yes, that's right. But brake cleaner is dirt cheap, available anywhere and doesn't have any big issues with your tire. -- Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org/ Open every day since 1 April, 1971 |
#9
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cleaning of rims
On 6/9/2021 8:52 AM, William Crowell wrote:
I agree with Andrew: a stronger solvent than mineral spirits or alcohol works much better. Mineral spirits leave a residue. I use either lacquer thinner or automotive pre-paint degreaser, which works the best, IMHO, because it is specially formulated for this. But don't get the lacquer thinner on the sidewalls of your tires; it might do something bad to them; not sure. I've never tried brake cleaner for cleaning braking surfaces. I should have thought of that. But I often use acetone when I want a solvent that cuts most anything. -- - Frank Krygowski |
#10
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cleaning of rims
On Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 11:31:06 a.m. UTC-4, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On 6/9/2021 8:52 AM, William Crowell wrote: I agree with Andrew: a stronger solvent than mineral spirits or alcohol works much better. Mineral spirits leave a residue. I use either lacquer thinner or automotive pre-paint degreaser, which works the best, IMHO, because it is specially formulated for this. But don't get the lacquer thinner on the sidewalls of your tires; it might do something bad to them; not sure. I've never tried brake cleaner for cleaning braking surfaces. I should have thought of that. But I often use acetone when I want a solvent that cuts most anything. -- - Frank Krygowski But will any/all of the suggestions posted in this thread clean off the WAX that the OP was asking about? Cheers |
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