Products to clean R1200 RT wheels

[lfranklin]

Any experience on which commercial products are effective and safe to use on R1200 RT alloy painted wheels.

Looking for any suggestions on this. Concerned that some of the products on the market may not be recommended/safe for use on my wheels.

Thanks

Leon Franklin
08 R1200RT

[greenwald]

Any experience on which commercial products are effective and safe to use on R1200 RT alloy painted wheels.

Looking for any suggestions on this. Concerned that some of the products on the market may not be recommended/safe for use on my wheels.

Thanks

Leon Franklin
08 R1200RT

Certainly not an expert on cleaning chemicals, but since 2006, my 'routine' after washing my R1200RT off with water has always been to spray 409 on those alloy wheels and then wipe clean with a rag. Once that's done, I use a rag soaked in isoprophyl alcohol to clean the brake rotors.

They look showroom-new to this day.

Just something that has worked well for me - that's all.

[Lee]

Regular car wash soap works for me, and I'm pretty anal on keeping our bikes clean.

[AKBEEMER]

I use Simple Green and it works well; seems to do no harm to just about any surface. I also use alcohol to clean the rotors, but I always thought Scotch was better than isopropyl.

[racer7]

If you fail to keep your wheels clean or if you get overly aggressive with cleaners the paint will develop very small pits that increase the retention of black stains from pad dust.

To ensure that pad dust ( a corrosive metallic dust) doesn't stick to your paint and eventually stain it I suggest getting a bottle of Keep Clean Wheel or one of its competitors at your local parts store. Just wipe or spray it on a clean wheel and it will reduce dirt adherence, prevent paint staining, and make cleaning easier. Keep off rotors, of course. The product IS NOT by itself a cleaner- wheels need to be clean before it is used.

Chemically, its similar to some waterproof sunscreen products minus the UV protectants and oils. Works well. I stumbled on this stuff by accident a couple years ago and decided to give it a try to deal with staining that comes from riding in a lot of wet weather. It works well for purposes noted and it looks like my bottle might last 10-15 years based on current rate of use so its pretty cheap too. (Now that my wheel finish has been sealed by this stuff I just spray some on a paper towel and wipe the wheel down with it )

[DocZ]

Griot's Garage Wheel Cleaner is the best stuff I've tried. Like all Griot's stuff, pretty pricey.

We also have a Mini Cooper S. Griots wheel cleaner makes keeping those wheels clean a lot easier.

Yup. I've used Simple Green & have experimented with numerous dilution strengths. Works fine but not as well as the expensive stuff.

[lkchris]

I use water.

Of course my wheels are protected by a layer of car wax and therefore most junk doesn't adhere. The rest easily brushes off with some water to help.

[Atomicman52]

P21s Wheel cleaner. spray Gel

Been using this on our Audi, Benz and VW for years! Excellent and PH controlled. Made in Germany.

With all the brake dust in our household I buy the Gel in the 5 liter container from the Audi dealer. (I get a discount)

http://www.p21s.com/products/bis_wc1.html

[R80RTJohnny]

I use water.

Of course my wheels are protected by a layer of car wax and therefore most junk doesn't adhere. The rest easily brushes off with some water to help.

Interesting. What kind of wax are you using.

[gfspencer]

I use a product called "Wheel Wax" on my cars and my motorcycles.

When I'm detailing my car I take off the wheels and wax the inside of the rims. I know that sounds anal but after a drive I can easily remove the brake dust with a California Mini Duster.

[drummer]

Wait a second, you mean you are supposed to keep the bike clean as well as ride it? What a concept. That means my weekend plans have changed.

[KevinRT]

I usually just use soap and water and it seems to work fine most of the time. If there is more stubborn stains on the rims, I use Mr Clean magic erasers. Works great on tar stains too.

[ULTRAPASS]

You guys clean your bikes?????? Must be me, but I stopped doing that when I sold my last Harley. OK, I admit to cleaning it once every change of season.

Ultra LT

[tsperez]

Regardless on what you use to clean your wheels (for those of you that clean your wheels and that includes me) it is sure a PITA to do. Too many small areas and sharp edges. I agree that waxing the area also helps with the next cleaning.

tsp
Blog: www.swriding.blogspot.com

[gfspencer]

You guys clean your bikes??????

I clean my bikes. I detail my car. I pay someone to mow my grass.