What to use to clean black chain lube off of aluminum rims easily?

Hum Dawn....we were using that at work for its intended purpose.Cracking hands and eczema convinced the boss to buy us better stuff. Apparently all natural and cuts the grease just as good if not better. I could try it on motorcycle parts, I have a few greasy ones here and then after I can run them through the commercial dishwasher, may even fit a wheel/tire that one.

Simple Green "Motorsports" did a darn good job on some very very greasy stuff I cleaned yesterday altough I wouldn't use in on anything anodized.:eek1

I use diesel/mineral spirits to clean the gunk, then Dawn and hot water to remove the residue.

Instead of wax, I have heard very good feedback on the Shark Hide product. By guys that make alloy tanks/body panels. http://sharkhide.com/faq.htm

Personal experience using:

Dawn Dish Soap - VERY good grease cutter. Removes wax.

Simple Green - Excellent product, paint and plastic friendly. Can use undiluted.

WD-40 - Heck of a grease cutter. Do not get it on brake parts.


Barry

Becuz of the oils in it, friction is wot makes you stop. oils not so much lol

I used Dawn Dish soap and a Stiff brush to take unknown years worth of goo and road grime off my aluminum rims.

I'll do it again this year.

mr Clean Magic Erasers do a great job on the chrome rims on my KLR as well as the aluminum painted ones on my CBR.

4 pages and no one suggested "3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover"?

Geesh.

Works very well on all sorts of stubborn stuff. Won't harm paint. Will strip wax.

Available at auto body paint stores.

No garage/workshop is complete without it.

I use Coleman lantern fuel (naphtha). Cuts the grease instantly and leaves no residue. Doesn't hurt paint.

Don't bother cleaning oil splatter off you wheel rims - just cover it up with mud.

Seriously, I have obtained the best results with warm water, dish soap and (the key ingredient) elbow grease. A purpose-made wheel brush helps greatly for between spokes, etc.

chain cleaner works well but I use WD40

Holy cow - what is the fascination with using xyz products for something other than their intended purpose? Sure, in a pinch or when an proper product is expensive or unavailable, but that's not the case here.
3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner is not expensive, is readily available and is an excellent solvent that will not harm paint and leaves no residue. Your garage should have some. A can like this will last you a long time, buy some for christ's sake - o yeah, the KLR thing :

http://www.waresdirect.com/products...kURL=froogle&gclid=CKyg4Iue67QCFQU5nAodLggAAw

I've got a can of the 3M and it will remove anything, including brain cells! Definitely use that stuff with lots of ventilation!!!!

I clean the chain wax gunk and brake dust off my wheels with...Wait for it...Wheel cleaner.



Unlike kerosene, wd-40, and others, it doesn't make my tires slick.

That is a decent mix of solvents. We used to buy that by the bucket for cleaning and thinning contact cement (plastic laminate work).

Read the MSDS you may be shocked at what all is in there. I would not consider it safe on most plastics.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=3m%20general%20purpose%20adhesive%20remover%20msds&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmultimedia.3m.com%2Fmws%2Fmediawebserver%3FmwsId%3DSSSSSuUn_zu8l00xl8mxn82xPv70k17zHvu9lxtD7SSSSSS--&ei=hw74UOGXIYe42QX064GgBg&usg=AFQjCNHwueue0yv5GVfxCvMBgRanc-kIYQ&bvm=bv.41018144,d.b2I

Ingredient C.A.S. No.
HYDROTREATED LIGHT NAPHTHA (PETROLEUM)
XYLENE
PROPANE
ETHYLBENZENE
TOLUENE
BENZENE

I have a slight feeling it is one of the reasons my uncle had those liver issues.

Goof-Off is nothing more than xylene. You can get a whole quart for the same price as 3 or 4 1-ounce cans of the former.

According to the MSDS, Goof off is 60% Acetone and 10-30% Xylene.

But yes, you can buy both by the gallon for much cheaper.

Hazardous Components (Chemical Name)
1. Acetone
2. Xylene (mixed isomers) {Benzene, dimethyl-}
3. Ethylbenzene {Ethylbenzol; Phenylethane}
4. Hydrotreated light distillate (petroleum)
5. Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether
CAS #
67-64-1
1330-20-7
100-41-4
64742-47-8
112-34-5
Concentration
60.0 -100.0 %
10.0 -30.0 %
1.0 -5.0 %
7.0 -13.0 %
1.0 -5.0 %
{2-(2-Butoxyethoxy)ethanol {(a glycol ether)}
4

Straight xylene works just as well.

I keep small amounts of various solvents around, things like alcohol, acetone, xylene, lacquer thinner, toluene, MEK, trichlor, etc. Even some cyclohexane. It makes it easier to find out which solvent won't affect a certain plastic or paint.

Denatured alcohol is methanol/ethanol mix. Good for removing ink stains form cloths.

Xylene solavates wax and chewing gum too. Great if you need to cleanup after changeing a wax ring on your toilet or if the kids get gum in your carpet.


Colman fuel/white gas is just naptha. Makes for a cheap substitute for WD 40 if using for cleaning reasons.

Think I will try that next time.