Hey guys, Those of us with the white wheels, they look great but are a pain to keep clean. Mine are getting a little yellow-ish haze on them and was wondering what you all use to clean them and keep them clean.
I use turtle wax's tar and bug remover
Normal bike/car shampoo and then wipe round with WD40.
S100 Wheel cleaner works like magic [thumbsup]
Quote from: farl on August 13, 2008, 06:49:45 AM
Normal bike/car shampoo and then wipe round with.....
Goo Gone fo removing the harder oil/bugs.
So far all I've had to use is Plexus. The more I use it, the easier it is to clean them. [thumbsup]
"scrubbing bubbles" type bathroom cleaner. Takes of the dust, bugs, grease, chain lube etc. without harming the finish. Use it on everything - wheels, engine, swingarm. I used it for 6 years and 40K miles worth on my last set of white wheels. No yellowing or dulling and doesn't leave that unpleasant engine degreaser smell if you use it on an engine bay. Good for the mopar engine bay too! For those of you with dirt bikes try it on them too. Spray down top to bottom then hose off. Hit the bad spots again. Wheels (especially white) and heavy grease will require a light wipe down. It also leaves little to no cleaner residue.
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=2541.msg32709#msg32709 ;)
i used some spray-on degreaser because i had a lot of shake-off grease from my chain. did the job well but i think there are less abrasive alternatives.
+1 on S100 also try "Protect All"
Despite all of the great products to keep our wheels clean, I might never buy a bike w/ white wheels again!!!!
mine arent white, but i clean em with wd40 and some paper towels. actually, i use wd40 to clean a lot on the bike...
This stuff. Really. It made my black wheels go white in about 5 minutes.
This is *after* I didn't clean them for over a year, while riding everyday.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2322/2507264318_f78041158f_o.jpg)
I not only had problems cleaning my white wheels from normal use, but after lube-ing my chain (chain wax), it was damn near impossible. I found out that simple "409" kitchen spray works best for me. Engine cleaner/Citrus Brite (brand) actually left a yellowish streak....
I bought a wheel brush to get into those hard to reach places. I wash the wheels with soapy water after I wash the bike.
Anything that doesn't come off then gets a bit of attention with WD-40 and a rag.
Yes its more work than black wheels but I knew that when I bought it and its worth the looks IMHO.
PSSST.... Mr. Clean Magic Eraser... works wonders... on anything white.
Quote from: Dareduc on August 13, 2008, 11:35:39 PM
PSSST.... Mr. Clean Magic Eraser... works wonders... on anything white.
+1...those things clean anything...truly magic! Thank goodness I have black wheels...
I use Griot's car wash , then spray on the Spray Cleaner and Polish. I sometimes use a paste Carnuba wax which will make it harder for the wheels to get dirty and easier to get clean .
If the wheels are yellowing maybe there is some kind of petroleum build up ...or a stain. I've not experienced yellowing so I'm at a loss to advise . Dolph
Hey guys, I ended up just using some Mcguires spray detailer and elbow grease. I think the yellowing was just chain lube or something of the sort. They came clean and white again. I think next year though I may go to black wheels. White looks great but a PIA.
I had white wheels on my '92 900ss..beauty of a bike white frame with white wheels very sharp...swore I'd never have white wheels again as I hated cleaning them...Have an '06 S4R with Black wheels..which could use a cleaning but you'd never know just looking at them [laugh] [moto]
Motul wheel cleaner. [thumbsup]
Quote from: Dareduc on August 13, 2008, 11:35:39 PM
PSSST.... Mr. Clean Magic Eraser... works wonders... on anything white.
Be careful using these. I've taken the paint completely off my car trying to rub off a stain.