I have a 2001 DR-Z400, that has been rode hard and put up wet and muddy. I don't think it has ever been washed. It has sat for a long time and I'm having trouble getting the wheel hubs and spokes clean from the stained mud. (The engine cases too.)(Well, really all of the cast parts.) Any suggestions? :huh
Spray it down with WD40 or JB Penetrating lubricant and let it soak. Like for a few days just keep spraying it down, then use a green scotts scrubbing pad to get it clean. Make sure you are careful in case it has a clear coat on it, the spray lube wont hurt it but you can by scrubbing it with too hard or aggressive a pad.
The hub is probably bare cast alum. And heavily oxidized, if you have access to a media blaster it would look brand new in minutes.
I recently saw this article haven't had it e to try it.http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/soda_blaster/ Soda blasting the aluminum will definitely refresh it.
Liquid rubbing compound and a tooth brush works wonders on faded prefer coat and grungy but not corroded zink plated spokes.
Multi-purpose cleaner: http://www.greased-lightning.com/Multi-Purpose_Cleaner/ Works really good on motorcycle grease and dirt. Doesn't hurt paint. Also cleans greasy stove tops, bathroom poo or whatever. Available at Home Depot and others, like $8/gallon.
SOS works great. You may be surprised to learn bathroom cleaner works amazingly good as a heavy soil remover. It takes brake dust right off with just a scrub brush and a rub a dub dub. Before: After:
thanks for the suggestions. I guess I need to quit wishing they would come clean and start scrubbing!
Just an fyi. Don't use oven cleaner, I did this many years ago to my beautiful zx9 and it ate up the paint on my wheels. I had heard about it from some harley guy and used it on his bike, they came out nice, but that was all steel and chrome.
