Cleaning Spokes

[SnoDrtRider]

I just discovered (at least I think I did) a great way to clean nasty old spokes.

I was looking around the shop and I knew I wanted something thick and clingy but nothing I had came to mind. Then I see it... A bottle of Aluminum Jelly... Hmmm.
Viscosity is about what I want but the directions say do not apply to ferrous metals... I decide to do a test. I apply some to a spoke with a small SS brush that I got at Harbor Freight the brush is like a toothbrush and just the right size for scrubbing spokes.
So I put it on and brush a few strokes and the grunge starts coming off. I hose it off and the spoke looks like new!

OK I'm all in now!
I set the wheel up on the lift with a piece of cardboard under it and get busy... Took about 15-20 minutes to apply to all the spokes working from both sides brushing the back of the spokes from the opposite side.

I let it sit for about 15 minutes and hose it off.

Wow! what a difference!

This is what the spokes looked like before... I had since cleaned the rim with some Specialty Reducer.

These are after about a half hour of work...

 

[ghte]

Unbelievable result. Good discovery. Well done.

 

[oldbikedude]

Nice job, but now u need to paint the hubs... Lol

 

[SnoDrtRider]

Nice job, but now u need to paint the hubs... Lol

Yeah, well you know as well as I do that one thing leads to another and another and...

 

[oldbikedude]

for sure

 

[Bigbill]

I have a few of rusty nasty looking spokes on the rims to clean up. Your way sounds good. O was also thinking about polishing them once the rust is gone with the simi chrome polish with a dremel? Or clear coating them so they can't rust again.

 

[SnoDrtRider]

I have a few of rusty nasty looking spokes on the rims to clean up. Your way sounds good. O was also thinking about polishing them once the rust is gone with the simi chrome polish with a dremel? Or clear coating them so they can't rust again.

Still on the fence about polishing but they should get some sort protection. I would use a strip of towel with a little polish of choice... Dremel is a little tough to get into the tight spots IMO. Plus they have no power at all. I tried my Father in Laws a few days ago... seems like a children's toy.

 

[oldbikedude]

Old shoe lace & use polish of choice. Wrap the shoelace around the spoke & use the push pull method. Scothbrite really bad ones.

 

[Bigbill]

Years ago in the 50's we used rolled up into a ball aluminum foil to remove rust on bumpers. My older brothers did it on a 50 mercy and 52 Chevy. I watched I was 10yo.

 

[MikeDi]

can you post a photo of the product? thanks Mike

 

[SnoDrtRider]

can you post a photo of the product? thanks Mike

There are probably other brands but I picked up Locktite Brand... I forget where... Had to be Ace Hardware, Home Depot/Lowes or Advance Auto/Auto Zone.
There is also Naval Jelly for rust but I had this and it worked for me... Have not had a chance to try Naval Jelly.
Whatever you do be careful if your rims are nice! Mine are all scarred and faded so I didn't really care if it discolored them but it looks like it hasn't.

 

[MikeDi]

thanks!

 

[cnyboy]

Let's see the rest of that old bike!

 

[SnoDrtRider]

Let's see the rest of that old bike!

http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/1980-wr-390-rescue.85880/