Wheels pick up the most dirt: grit, brake dust, puddle spray and, after winter, road salt. Dirty spokes and nipples rust sooner, and grit in the hubs speeds up wear.
Clean wheels are about safety as well as looks: a cracked rim or a loose spoke is easy to miss under a layer of mud. The job takes about half an hour.
What you will need
- hose or bucket of water
- bike shampoo or a mild detergent
- sponge and a narrow spoke brush
- clean dry cloths and a polishing microfibre
- bike stand
- WD-40 Multi-Use for spokes, nipples and hubs
- WD-40 Smart Straw for precise application
- WD-40 Bike Degreaser for sprockets and heavy grime (on request)
Important: The rim braking surface, brake discs and pads must stay clean and grease-free: do not apply any lubricant to them. Treat the spokes with a cloth rather than spraying near the brakes.
Step 1
Choose a spot and secure the bike
You will be using water, so outdoors is best. In a garage or on a balcony, cover the floor with plastic sheeting.
Put the bike on a stand so the wheels turn freely. That makes it easier to reach every spoke without turning the bike upside down.
Step 2
Wash the whole bike
Wet the bike, apply shampoo and give it a few minutes to soften the dirt. Go over the frame and wheels with a sponge and rinse with clean water.
Dry the bike straight away with a cloth so water does not dry on the metal and leave marks or rust.
Step 3
Clean rims and spokes thoroughly
Wheels need extra attention. Wet them again, apply shampoo and work the narrow brush between the spokes, round the nipples and hubs, turning the wheel slowly.
Treat cassette sprockets caked in black grease with WD-40 Bike Degreaser, then rinse everything and dry it.
Step 4
Protect the metal from rust
Apply WD-40 Multi-Use to a cloth, not the wheel, and wipe each spoke, the nipples and the hub shell. It displaces remaining moisture and leaves a thin protective film, especially useful after riding on salted roads.
Use the straw of WD-40 Smart Straw to place a drop where the spokes meet the rim, and wipe off any excess at once.
Step 5
Buff to a shine
Go over the rims and spokes several times with a clean polishing microfibre until the metal gleams. Wipe the rim braking track or disc with a separate dry cloth to be sure nothing greasy remains.
Finally, test the brakes at low speed.
Tip: While cleaning, check spoke tension by squeezing pairs of spokes all the way round. If one feels noticeably softer than the rest, have the wheel trued before a visible wobble appears.
What next
Clean the wheels every 2-3 weeks in season and after every wet or muddy ride, and in winter after every trip on salted roads. Repeat the protective wipe with WD-40 Multi-Use monthly and before winter storage.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».