White wheel cleaning tricks???

[Metzman]

Newb Buell owner here hoping to gain knowledge from the forum.

My XB9R has white wheels. I absolutely love how white wheels look when they are clean, but mine were not clean and after almost 2 hours of cleaning labor they are still not great. I can tell the wheels are in great shape they just were not cleaned for a long time and are extra difficult to clean now.

I have brake dust, road grime, and belt dust to deal with. Its up in those tight areas on the front wheel where the rim disc mounts and the rectangular pockets opposite them. Maybe you have a cool tool or brush for cleaning those tight areas and pockets?

The rear wheel has similar issues. I am curious if anyone knows, is the machined aluminum rim on the wheels coated? If it is I need to be careful, if not I can clean it with an SOS pad or some 0000 steel wool and polish, unless there is a Yoda out there with a better way?

Mine is not the only white wheeled XB9R running around. Anybody out there in the forum have a cool concoction they have created or a product they feel makes cleaning these wheels a snap? I'm all ears and can read, help a newby out, post up!

 

[squidbuellie]

You need three things....
1)Concentrated simple green
2)Old soft tooth brush (for the lip under the front rotor)
3)Pressure washer (at least 2400psi)

 

[Metzman]

Use the Simple Green straight, no reduction?
I tried the tooth the brush, it just wouldn't go deep enough, maybe an old paint brush with longer bristles?
Didn't think pressure washer, power tools are always a bonus!

Thanks for the input...Metz

 

[squidbuellie]

Strait... Use a squirt bottle let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. Then spray it off...

 

[buellerchris]

use watered down simple green and a barber brush, maybe try a horse-hair paint brush. Soak, scrub, and rinse. Then wash with car soap and wash mitt. I use car wash soap with wax in it to help leave a smooth shine.

 

[oh9bolt]

S100

 

[doberdann1019]

S100

[up]

 

[lawdog]

If you use a power washer be sure not to blast water into your wheel bearings...... I use a pressure washer too but aim carefully. But hey, I have new wheel bearings front and rear now! LOL

 

[Metzman]

But hey, I have new wheel bearings front and rear now! LOL

Very useful information!

 

[joebuell06]

Before you take the bike out again, apply a good wax coat to it. It prevents water spots and helps in taking the dirt off. Then, you reapply the wax occasionally, after a cleaning.

 

[Metzman]

Good point, thank you.

 

[AZmidget91]

Best cleaning tip I ever heard was keep it clean, easier to clean something that is clean.

 

[Renegade]

I've got white wheels on my bike. Yes, it's a PITA to keep them clean. I use an old paint brush and tooth brush to get those tight areas that you can't get with a sponge. Also, I use Armor All Wheel and Tire Cleaner....not tire shine...tire cleaner. It works wonders.

 

[Metzman]

I will give the Armor All Wheel and Tire cleaner a try.

The straight Simple Green and power washer isn't cutting it. I have tried using Oil Eater, but you have to get it off quick cause it will dry back on, but it does better than the Simple Green and it isn't hurting the white finish.

I still have brake dust and road grime caked in around the disk mounts on the front wheel. On the spokes of the rear wheel, disk brake side, the edges of the spoke are raised and I have a black buildup along that raised ridge that isn't budging. The wheels do look a bunch better now though.[up]

 

[Renegade]

For some reason, I've been getting this yellow-ish buildup on my rear hub. The worst places are inside the rear spokes, those little pocket areas on the belt side. As long as you keep them clean, the brake dust and such will clean off much easier. I usually clean mine once a week.

 

[wally]

PaInt them black.

As nice as white or even polished wheels look, I will never do it again. Too much of a hassle to keep clean.
Now imagine the white rear wheel if it where a regular chain drive set up...