Cleaning your braking surface?

[veggieburger]

Sorry if this has been discussed recently (??)...

I'm tuning up the bikes over these cold winter months and find it challenging to get the braking surface on my rims clean. Any recommendations?

Thanks all!

[AngryScientist]

steel wool

[rePhil]

Auto Brakecleaner on a rag.

[veggieburger]

Will automobile brake cleaner damage tires....should I remove them first?

[wasfast]

scotch brite, medium

[AngryScientist]

Will automobile brake cleaner damage tires....should I remove them first?

be careful with that stuff, depending on the mix it can be highly toxic and carcinogenic. it'll also destroy rubber.

steel wool, or "brillo" pads with a little warm water work wonders, i try and keep super harsh chemical use to a minimum unless really necessary.

[godfrey1112000]

windex or Turtle easy wax both take grim and grit off without damage to rubber or decales

[Bob Ross]

scotch brite, medium


^^^This. With a little Simple Green on 'em.

[dave thompson]

ScotchBrite pad and ammonia!

[Ken Robb]

For this use Mavic markets a hard rubber-like block impregnated w/mild abrasives. I bought mine through an equestrian supply for 1/5 what mavic charges for the same item with Mavic label. Horse people use them to polish the hooves of show horses.

[Ahneida Ride]

For this use Mavic markets a hard rubber-like block impregnated w/mild abrasives. I bought mine through an equestrian supply for 1/5 what mavic charges for the same item with Mavic label. Horse people use them to polish the hooves of show horses.

AMEN .... This is the SAFE way to go.
I have the Mavic stone .... it works perfectly and will NOT damage rim.
Cost = 30 frns

The horse stone is 5-10 frns.

I strongly urge you to consider this option.

Be careful braking after treatment. brakes are amazing !

[Volant]

ScotchBrite pad and ammonia!

The green pad I believe (that's what has worked for me).

[shiftyfixedgear]

Denatured alcohol and the green pad !

After a rain or mud ride the best thing to do is first wash the wheels with warm or hot water and detergent. This removes the grit and grime and aluminum dust ( the stuff that leaves the hard-to-remove stains on your hands and rags).

You might not even need the pad and alcohol treatment after a good washing-up. Although a little non-denatured ethanol alcohol can also be a good post-maintenence "treatment"

[luv2bike]

Try an automotive paint restorer with a green Scotch Brite. I use one called California Kiss. The crap that gets lifted off the rim is amazing and it will not hurt tires or brake pads. Make sure it is a restorer and not a wax.

[shiftyfixedgear]

Don't forget to do your brake pads, too. And pick out the grit and aluminum bits.

[Bob Ross]

For this use Mavic markets a hard rubber-like block impregnated w/mild abrasives.

I have the Mavic Smart Stone® or whatever the heck it's called, and while it certainly works, it is annoyingly labor-intensive: Requires a lot more effort/elbow-grease than a Scotch-Brite pad.

Reminds me, I need to make a date with my bathtub and wheels real soon, this week has been hell on my normally pristine bike!

[Ken Robb]

I have the Mavic Smart Stone® or whatever the heck it's called, and while it certainly works, it is annoyingly labor-intensive: Requires a lot more effort/elbow-grease than a Scotch-Brite pad.

Reminds me, I need to make a date with my bathtub and wheels real soon, this week has been hell on my normally pristine bike!

A time-saver for me is to hold the stone against the rim abutting the rear of a brake pad and push the bike along while I apply pressure on the stone as needed.

[aoe]

Any suggestions for removing residue on carbon wheels? I've got edge 1.38's that have swisstop residue on them and have been avoiding the use of anything abrasive.

[Ti Designs]

Why?

[Velosmith]

MMMMMMMM.... :confused:


I have never needed more than Windex. Try the original formula. No "save the planet", green alternatives seem to work as well.

[aoe]

MMMMMMMM.... :confused:


I have never needed more than Windex. Try the original formula. No "save the planet", green alternatives seem to work as well.

Thanks for the tip. I'll give windex a try.

[lemania]

I have been using Sandflex blocks for years on rims but always with a little water or oil . Appeared to be same or similar to my Mavic Stone with a better price and availability....

Disclaimer:... link below is for info only , I have never dealt with them......

http://www.theruststore.com/Sandflex-Rust-Eraser-Fine-P10C7.aspx?UserID=9295533&SessionID=F8dA9IjJgCxAiOccHEpA

[LegendRider]

I have been using Sandflex blocks for years on rims but always with a little water or oil . Appeared to be same or similar to my Mavic Stone with a better price and availability....

Disclaimer:... link below is for info only , I have never dealt with them......

http://www.theruststore.com/Sandflex-Rust-Eraser-Fine-P10C7.aspx?UserID=9295533&SessionID=F8dA9IjJgCxAiOccHEpA

Agree 100%. I uses the Sandflex medium and it works great.

NOTE: I use the Sandflex without water or oil. Dry work for me.

[xjoex]

Another fan of the scotch bright pad. I have been using it for years.

-Joe

[Bob Ross]

Anyone ever try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser?

I just discovered what that product actually is:
http://www.plasticsportal.net/wa/plasticsEU/function/conversions:/publish/common/upload/foams/basotect_consumer_eraser.pdf

Seems like it oughtta work, though I have no experience with one.

[Iceman]

scotch bright, beer and elbow grease. Not in that order.

[WickedWheels]

What's it called?

For this use Mavic markets a hard rubber-like block impregnated w/mild abrasives. I bought mine through an equestrian supply for 1/5 what mavic charges for the same item with Mavic label. Horse people use them to polish the hooves of show horses.

[Ken Robb]

Sandflex, I think.

[novaturient]

+1 for the green abrasive pads. I use them with a little shot of citrus cleaner.

And yeah, give the pads a good couple of passes as well. Amazing how well your commuter's brakes work again after a little attention (amazing that they can get so bad each week...).

[Pete Serotta]

ScotchBrite pad and ammonia! And in his winters he has had many opportunities to see what works well. :D :D


PETE

[Ahneida Ride]

Hmmmm ..............

I'd be scared to allow any clearer to touch my tires.