How to Clean an Aluminum Bicycle Wheel

How to Clean an Aluminum Bicycle Wheel
Photo Credit front bicycle wheel image by kryptajuliett from Fotolia.com

Clean and shiny aluminum bicycle wheels enhance the overall appearance of your bike. Unfortunately, they can get dirty easily from riding through dirty conditions and wet roads. You can do a lot to restore the look of aluminum bike wheels with simple cleaning techniques and a little elbow grease. Soon your wheels will look like new.

Step 1

Spray the wheels with a hose to remove surface dirt and grime. Avoid spraying the greased chain and sprocket area.

Step 2

Rub soapy water over the wheels with a sponge. Use a small amount of mild dish detergent in a bucket of warm water.

Step 3

Rinse off all the soap from the wheels with the hose.

Step 4

Scrub stubborn build-up with a paste of baking soda and water. Simply apply the paste and rub gently with a cleaning rag.

Step 5

Rinse off all of the baking soda from the wheels. It is important to be sure to remove all the baking soda because it can discolor aluminum if left on.

Step 6

Dry off the wheels with a soft towel. Apply a metal polish according to the manufacturer's directions if you want extra shine.

Things You'll Need

  • Hose
  • Mild dish detergent
  • Bucket
  • Sponge
  • Baking soda
  • Cleaning rag
  • Metal polish

References

Article reviewed by WilliamS Last updated on: Aug 7, 2010

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