Cleaning massive grease off of powder coated rims.

syne7 · 07-03-2008, 7:02 PM

I got my 2005 Fireblade back from my dealer after the 4000 mile service. It would appear they put it on a center stand, lubed the chain and ran the wheel at high speed to spread or apply the lube.

The rims were spidered with grease. When I tried to wash them off with soap it just spread into a dens film.

I called the dealer and one of the sales guys suggest WD-40. Which worked like a charm.

Is there any down side to dowsing the rims with WD-40?

macca9540 · 07-03-2008, 7:33 PM

I use a petroleum based degreaser without any problems on my polished rims and various other parts. I would'nt think WD-40 would harm them, but definately do not use a caustic water based degreaser on your bike. It eats into the alloy and stains everything it comes in contact with.

Weasle1000RR · 07-03-2008, 7:52 PM

The only thing I've run into with WD-40 is that the rims will collect dust if you don't get all of the WD-40 off. It's not a major problem, but an annoyance none the less.

macca9540 · 07-03-2008, 7:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weasle1000RR

The only thing I've run into with WD-40 is that the rims will collect dust if you don't get all of the WD-40 off. It's not a major problem, but an annoyance none the less.

Thats why I go for the petroleum degreaser. Brush it on, hose it off. No residue.

HondaGalToo · 07-04-2008, 11:31 AM

Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish.

ozthis · 07-04-2008, 12:19 PM

Hondabrite works well too....i use it on the wheels and swingarm

danny_isr · 07-20-2008, 6:17 PM

used WD40 today , it did magic . it's white again !

jj_long · 07-20-2008, 6:47 PM

ive used greased lightning and simillar products but like it has been said to be careful not to get it on bare metal or bare aluminum or it corrodes it. the solution i found was when washing the bike and the wheels are wet i use a wet rag and spray the greased lightning on the rag then wipe off the grease,tar and other gunk that collects on the wheels and swing arm. just be sure the parts are wet and the rag is wet. it also works well on a wet brush to clean the breake callipers. ive tested it on various powder coated sample parts and it will not harm powdercoatings. polyester, tgic,urathane, and polyurathane based powdercoatings. it works well for me and i do also use the wd40 to clean my chain but greased lightning is pretty cheap and can be used on the calipers and brakes which i like and is easily rinsed clean.

bulldog12 · 07-20-2008, 10:23 PM

Palmolive (dish soap) works really good too. it cleans the chain pretty good. i found that Pledge (i used a cheap knockoff) cleans the chain nicely too.

bladeracer · 07-20-2008, 10:39 PM

I generally never clean my bikes but I do clean parts that I have off mainly to confirm they're not worn or damaged.
WD-40 and a similar one called RP7 both work brilliantly at destroying the chain lube spiders on the wheels.

gotama · 07-21-2008, 12:41 AM

simple green

CBR_954_RR · 07-21-2008, 12:54 AM

^^ +1...that stuff is AWESOME for cleaning anything and everything.

gotama · 07-21-2008, 1:12 AM

plus if you use wd40 you take the chance of getting that stuff all over your tires NOT GOOD

danny_isr · 07-21-2008, 1:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotama

plus if you use wd40 you take the chance of getting that stuff all over your tires NOT GOOD

explain ...

i actually did all of it at self car wash. so i washed it right away. but i do think i got some inside the rear brake. it doesnt' stop the same
way on the rear...

bladeracer · 07-21-2008, 1:14 AM

Actually, WD-40 is a tyre treatment so it's not a problem at all.

CBR_954_RR · 07-21-2008, 1:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bladeracer

Actually, WD-40 is a tyre treatment so it's not a problem at all.

Is it really?? I didnt know that...

jrocket · 07-21-2008, 11:44 AM

I use WD-40 to thoroughly clean my chains (CBR, mountain, & road bicycles), then rinse with Simple Green. I've found this method to be the MOST effective. I've also used WD-40 to remove road tar/grime from my cars' and motorcycle's painted surfaces with zero adverse affects. I'd never use it ON the tires as it contains petroleum distillates.
J

bladeracer · 07-21-2008, 11:47 AM

It's used on race tyres to soften them for better grip and longer life.
There are several other products that do the same or better job - "Hot Lap" I think is one.

CBR_954_RR · 07-21-2008, 3:46 PM

I always thought it was bad for the rubber. Not too long ago i was int o R/C rock crawling, and people used to soak their tires in WD-40 because it broke down the rubber and made them softer/stickier....

jj_long · 07-21-2008, 6:13 PM

so does the wd40 swell orings? wouldnt that shorten the life of the chain then?

bladeracer · 07-21-2008, 8:38 PM

Not all rubber is the same and based on my own experience I would guess it doesn't harm chain 0-rings.
Some years ago a mate was watching me fit a tyre and decided to help out by spraying everything with WD-40. I have fitted the odd tyre using it as a bead lube (I prefer soapy water) but this was so much it was impossible to get a grip on anything so I had to wash everything down and start again :-)

machinehead · 07-22-2008, 9:02 AM

I use WD40 all the time for cleaning the rims.

chukky · 07-22-2008, 9:27 AM

Geez I tell you one thing,if my bike came back from a service and it looked like that I would take WD-40 or any other similar sized can and shove it up the managers backside and tell him to clean my bloody bike properly before giving it back to me.That is shocking service