Cleaning Carbon wheels

Joeblack

Hi Guys,

I'm looking for advice on cleaning the brake track of a set of Mavics, using the swissstop yellow pads has left marks all over them which is unsightly and probably will effect braking performance if left over time.

Iv tried various different methods iv come across on the web, none have worked really well especially on some of the deeper marks. One that I have found to be good is to use a rubber however this is very very time consuming and I'm concerned I'm wearing away at the braking surface. Swiss stop do their own version of a rubber but it doesn't state if it's suitable for carbon braking surfaces or not has anyone had any experience with this?

I'm hopefully looking for something that will take the elbow work out of it but I fear that may not be possible, either way all help is appreciated

LegendLust

I had this problem when I used yellow Swiss Stop. The marks went when I swapped for Swiss Stop Black Prince pads. I guess the new pads rubbed away the yellow marks!

Seriously, the Black Prince are a far better pad, and don't leave marks on your rims. However they are a softer compound, so wear quicker but also leave a dust residue on the front of your bike. Small price to pay for better braking performance.

DavidJB

Black Prince...sounds like an 11" sex aid.

wheely123

You can't go wrong with some good baby wipes, they shift everything and leave your bike smooth and clean

ugo.santalucia

You need a black detergent... which is a problem, as your local supermarket will stock detergents for whites and for coloured, but nothing for black... :roll:

Joeblack

Yeah I think I need to give the black pads a go but they will still leave a residue that needs removing albeit not for aesthetic reasons surely?

Baby wipes have no effect,

ugo any recommendation's?

LegendLust

Have you tried Cif?

drlodge

Methylated spirits?

ugo.santalucia

Joeblack wrote:

ugo any recommendation's?

Damn, I was being sarcastic.

Advice is leave the residue as it is, rims brake better when they have rubber on them... otherwise people have used methylated spirits or acetone

desweller

Orbital sander.

Bar Shaker

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Joeblack wrote:

ugo any recommendation's?

Damn, I was being sarcastic.

Advice is leave the residue as it is, rims brake better when they have rubber on them... otherwise people have used methylated spirits or acetone

^ This.

Braking performance is much better when the rim has a film of pad material on it.

Joeblack

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Joeblack wrote:

ugo any recommendation's?

Damn, I was being sarcastic.

Advice is leave the residue as it is, rims brake better when they have rubber on them... otherwise people have used methylated spirits or acetone

Really? I hadn't guessed!! :roll:

Does using chemicals not damage the rim?

ugo.santalucia

Joeblack wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Joeblack wrote:

ugo any recommendation's?

Damn, I was being sarcastic.

Advice is leave the residue as it is, rims brake better when they have rubber on them... otherwise people have used methylated spirits or acetone

Really? I hadn't guessed!! :roll:

Does using chemicals not damage the rim?

Depends which chemicals... alcohols and acetone don't get absorbed by the resin... if you were to use chloroform or toluene it might be different, but I would advise you against

MountainMonster

Who the hell (normal people) keep chloroform at home?

MountainMonster

madasahattersley wrote:

MountainMonster wrote:

Who the hell (normal people) keep chloroform at home?

It's a nice easy 'off' button for those with a nagging spouse

I need it, believe me! Someone should donate haha.