How to Clean Bike Rims

Use a soap solution to clean your bike rims.

As you ride your bike through the streets of your town or off road on nature trails, dirt collects on your bike's metal rims and the tires they hold. If allowed to build up, the grime eventually will stain the rims and related components. You don't need a special solution to clean your bike's rims, but you do need to rinse and dry them thoroughly to keep the metal from rusting.

Things You'll Need

• Bike stand (optional)
• Water hose with sprayer
• Latex gloves
• Automotive soap or degreaser
• Bucket
• Scrub brush
• Microfiber towel

Instructions

Preparation

1. Park your bike on a flat surface and let down the kickstand, or put your bike on a bike stand if one is available.

2. Spray your bike's rims with water from a hose. Wear latex gloves to keep your hands dry.

3. Mix one-half cup of automotive soap or degreaser and one-half gallon of water in a bucket. Stir the mixture with a scrub brush.

Cleaning

1. Scrub your bike's rims thoroughly with the brush including the inside of the rim, brake pad assembly and valve stems. Spin the tires so the soap mixture can run around the rim and into the underside of the brake pads.

2. Scrub any caked-on dirt to break up the grime. Continue scrubbing the rims until they are dust and dirt free.

3. Spray the rims with water to remove the dust, dirt and soap mixture. Spray the rims and the entire bike to ensure all of the soap mixture and dirt is removed.

4. Dry your bike's rims, brake pads and frame with a microfiber towel.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean your bike regularly to keep grime from building up on its rims, frame and other surfaces.

References

• Bloom Bike Shop: How to Clean Your Rims and Brake Pads for Better Braking Performance
• Team Estrogen: Happiness Is A Clean Bike

Resources

• Jim Langley: Bicycle Repair