rim cleaner

[tulip]

Don't use greasy stuff, like WD40 or polish--your brakepads will not be able to grip and you will not be able to stop.

Have you tried soap and water? My rims on my Luna are black, so I don't have this problem. Or is it that they just seem black because I've never cleaned them ?? I'll have to go check.

Would Pedro's bike wash work? Or Simple Green? Rinse well and no polish or oily stuff!

[redrhodie]

I use denatured alcohol. Works great, the rims look new when I use it. I'm careful not to get it on the carbon fiber fork and stays, just because I don't know if will be damaging. Better safe than sorry.

[indysteel]

I use denatured alcohol. Works great, the rims look new when I use it. I'm careful not to get it on the carbon fiber fork and stays, just because I don't know if will be damaging. Better safe than sorry.

+1. It also doesn't leave any residue.

I put it in a spray bottle, which makes cleaning pretty easy.

[newfsmith]

Rubbing alcohol with a "magic eraser" pad followed by a clean rag moistened with more rubbing alcohol.

[Kalidurga]

I use rubbing alcohol. I'm not as concerned with getting off the black smudges as I am with keeping them squeal-free. Would denatured alcohol work better for that?

[OakLeaf]

+1 for rubbing alcohol. The higher concentration (90%?) leaves less residue.

I try to keep it off the tires though. I worry that it will degrade the tires. Don't know if it will, but it just seems like it might.

[Kalidurga]

+1 for rubbing alcohol. I try to keep it off the tires though. I worry that it will degrade the tires.

I've always made the same assumption. Since it has a drying effect, it seems it would dry out the rubber. When I have time, I remove the tires before cleaning the rims. Better safe (or anal? ) than sorry.