Stan The Man
Well-known member
Here is how to make inexpensive cleaning tools that will reach parts of your wheels that others cannot, in the real world where time is limited. They are designed to be used on C5 type or similar pattern wheels, they are not suitable for ‘solid’ wheels. The tools can reach in to clean the inside edge of the rim and reach between the rim and the brake disc. The polythene tube helps prevent impact damage by the shaft. If you use your alloys in the winter they are a MUST!
1. Buy two Paint Rollers with long handles, the type used for reaching behind radiators.
2. Buying spare rollers is optional but advisable.
3. Buy some flexible polythene tube, with bore to match the shaft diameter.
4. Cut one shaft so that the sharply ‘hooked’ end is removed.
5. File the end attached to the handle to a dome shape.
6. Place the rollers onto the shafts.
7. Make sure the rollers are fully pushed onto the shafts.
8. Mark the shaft where the roller ends and remove rollers.
9. Place one end of the tube against the handle next to the shaft.
10. Hold the tube against the shaft whilst following the shape of the shaft
11. Cut the tube where your mark is on the shaft.
12. Repeat for the other shaft.
13. Heat the tube and shaft using hot water.
14. Slide the appropriate tube onto the previously cut shaft using a little washing up liquid.
15. Repeat with the un-cut shaft, this is much harder to negotiate the ‘hooked end, hence the ‘practice with the easy shaft.
16. Make sure the tube does not extend beyond your marks.
17. Replace the rollers and check that all exposed shaft is protected by the tube.
To use these new tools:
• If the wheels are very dirty, particularly if encrusted, soak and/or wash off with a hose or pressure washer.
• Use the un-cut shaft roller to wash behind spokes and using an arm twisting movement clean the inside edge of the rims.
• Use the cut shaft roller with a push-pull movement to clean the main surface of the rims and any small apertures in the wheel.
• Remember to keep the wash water clean, using running water is preferred, and immerse the roller often.
• The finish can be scratched by dirt trapped in the roller.
• When thoroughly clean remove excess water by using a damp roller or leather, if you have any means of blowing dry [leaf blower, suction cleaner with blowing facility, compressor etc] this can be very effective but make sure you do not blow grit, dirt or water into the brake mechanism.
So for very little cash you will have a kit to help keep those nice wheels clean, with spare roller heads as well!
1. Buy two Paint Rollers with long handles, the type used for reaching behind radiators.
2. Buying spare rollers is optional but advisable.
3. Buy some flexible polythene tube, with bore to match the shaft diameter.
4. Cut one shaft so that the sharply ‘hooked’ end is removed.
5. File the end attached to the handle to a dome shape.
6. Place the rollers onto the shafts.
7. Make sure the rollers are fully pushed onto the shafts.
8. Mark the shaft where the roller ends and remove rollers.
9. Place one end of the tube against the handle next to the shaft.
10. Hold the tube against the shaft whilst following the shape of the shaft
11. Cut the tube where your mark is on the shaft.
12. Repeat for the other shaft.
13. Heat the tube and shaft using hot water.
14. Slide the appropriate tube onto the previously cut shaft using a little washing up liquid.
15. Repeat with the un-cut shaft, this is much harder to negotiate the ‘hooked end, hence the ‘practice with the easy shaft.
16. Make sure the tube does not extend beyond your marks.
17. Replace the rollers and check that all exposed shaft is protected by the tube.
To use these new tools:
• If the wheels are very dirty, particularly if encrusted, soak and/or wash off with a hose or pressure washer.
• Use the un-cut shaft roller to wash behind spokes and using an arm twisting movement clean the inside edge of the rims.
• Use the cut shaft roller with a push-pull movement to clean the main surface of the rims and any small apertures in the wheel.
• Remember to keep the wash water clean, using running water is preferred, and immerse the roller often.
• The finish can be scratched by dirt trapped in the roller.
• When thoroughly clean remove excess water by using a damp roller or leather, if you have any means of blowing dry [leaf blower, suction cleaner with blowing facility, compressor etc] this can be very effective but make sure you do not blow grit, dirt or water into the brake mechanism.
So for very little cash you will have a kit to help keep those nice wheels clean, with spare roller heads as well!
