Cleaning Tar from Rim Tape

patw · July 19th, 2009, 07:55 PM

Not sure if this belongs in Tech, or General but I'll post here.

There's been a lot of road work being done around my house, and especially along the commute I take to work. I noticed during the final stages they put on some oily substance on top of the fresh pavement. Someone told me it's a really thin tar or a really thick oil.

I was washing the bike today, and had a heck of a time trying to get this oily stuff off the rim tape and the wheels. With a regular dish soap, it would take me more than 10 minutes per tire of hard scrubbing and it still didn't look quite right. I decided I'd had enough and just left it looking grimy.

Due to my km and some rain rides, the chain looked like it needed a cleaning/lube as well. I took a short (45 min

ride to warm up the chain and proceeded to spray some WD-40 on paper towels to clean up the chain. I accidentally got some on the wheel and rim tape, and like freakin' magic the tar just vanished!

It turns out WD-40 is a solvent that can remove tar, and now my tires and rim tape look spectacular

Nemy · July 19th, 2009, 10:08 PM

just watch out cause I don't think wd40 should be on the tires. I actually use a bottle of simple green ultra or something (black bottle) that I picked up from Cdn tire. Works amazingly to cut down the grime... only thing is I haven't tried it on the SE but it should be fine even for our painted rims

patw · July 20th, 2009, 10:56 AM

Yeah, any lubricant on the tires is bad news. That's why I spray the WD-40 onto a paper towel and wipe in the wheel area only.

I did however notice some chain wax on the side of the tires. It's anti-fling, but it still seems to do it.

almost40 · July 20th, 2009, 01:50 PM

WD-40 takes crayon of painted walls too. Theres a ton of uses for that stuff.

ScorpionNinja · July 20th, 2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patw

I did however notice some chain wax on the side of the tires. It's anti-fling, but it still seems to do it.

Yea, i used maxima chain guard (clear synthenic) chain lube. that **** flings off also ('doesnt fling off') bullshit. i used it as directed, from these fourms. No were on the CAN itself or Maximas website, does it say how to apply this stuff. Anyhow once this cans gone ill try and buy the Maxima Chain Wax (dry lube, that everyone uses) leaves a dry white residue? the Silver/blk can i got (dealership told me the DRY lube wax (gold can) flings off... " This doesnt... passes me the silver Maxima chain guard can".

anyhow... back to TAR remover... i use a Can of Cola POP (or soda if your westcoast) on a old holy clean sock.!!! works good & if thirsty....

Cedilla · July 20th, 2009, 02:58 PM

The Maxima chain wax works great, it does not fling off much as long as you let it sit for at least 30 min before riding again. Also the stuff is real tacky and it will stick to the inside of the chain guard, and it also picks up alot of dirt, so cleaning will be a bit more of a chore but I think it is worth it.

rockNroll · July 20th, 2009, 03:39 PM

I always use WD40 to clean my wheels, it works great!

Nemy · July 20th, 2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScorpionNinja

Yea, i used maxima chain guard (clear synthenic) chain lube. that **** flings off also ('doesnt fling off') bullshit.

Dupont multi-use lube

By far the best lube you can use - extends cleaning/relube intervals and doesn't fling.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motor...chain-lube.htm

Only available at Lowes in Canada, though. Not sure about availability in the States.

ScorpionNinja · July 20th, 2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemy

Dupont multi-use lube

By far the best lube you can use - extends cleaning/relube intervals and doesn't fling.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motor...chain-lube.htm

Only available at Lowes in Canada, though. Not sure about availability in the States.

NOPE i looked into this stuff at afew LOWEs here in michigan, none had it EVER on their shelves!

You can buy it ONLINE through lowes. but the S&H and waiting ISNT worthy for me. I just go to macomb powersports in mi. (nearby) and Maxima Chain Lubes are $9.95 14 oz. (large) Cans! thats the SAME price if you bought them FROM Maximausa.com Minus the S&H, no 4-5 days Waiting!

ScorpionNinja · July 20th, 2009, 06:09 PM

As far as chain lubes Flingin'. Ive been thinking of making a sort of Chain/Rear Wheel, deflector. made of cardboard or sumin'. Just put bike on rearstand, do your clean/lube to chain.... then set the deflector in place..... start your bike and throddle up 4k ish (after letting the lube 'set in for 10-15mins', like the back of can says) then the **** that flings off will just fling onto your Giant Cardboard 'FENDER' instead of your RIM,rearfender ,etc!

Nemy · July 20th, 2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScorpionNinja

As far as chain lubes Flingin'. Ive been thinking of making a sort of Chain/Rear Wheel, deflector.

Or make a day trip to Canada, find a Lowes up here then stock up like crazy!

Most riders up here buy em by the caseload lol

ScorpionNinja · July 21st, 2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemy

Or make a day trip to Canada, find a Lowes up here then stock up like crazy!

Most riders up here buy em by the caseload lol

lol. long trip for lube.... errr that didnt sound right!

for my cardboard deflector, i meant once i clean chain/lube it up.... i set up the deflector so that i run the bike and chain so that any that flings off, will be caught by it. then im rdy for a ride. put away deflector and rear stand, then go riding!

Strider · July 21st, 2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almost40

WD-40 takes crayon of painted walls too. Theres a ton of uses for that stuff.

May dad swore it was good for his arthritis ...

talldrink · July 22nd, 2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strider

May dad swore it was good for his arthritis ...

I've heard that as well Alan.

tjkamper · July 22nd, 2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScorpionNinja

NOPE i looked into this stuff at afew LOWEs here in michigan, none had it EVER on their shelves!

You can buy it ONLINE through lowes. but the S&H and waiting ISNT worthy for me. I just go to macomb powersports in mi. (nearby) and Maxima Chain Lubes are $9.95 14 oz. (large) Cans! thats the SAME price if you bought them FROM Maximausa.com Minus the S&H, no 4-5 days Waiting!

Some have it some don't. You can order it on the internet. It is only 5 bucks a can. It is really easy to apply.

tjkamper · July 22nd, 2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strider

May dad swore it was good for his arthritis ...

Dont you mean Windex... (My Big Fat Greek Wedding)

July 19th, 2009, 07:55 PM	#1
patw ninjette.org guru Name: Pat Location: Barrie, Ontario Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 SE Posts: 338	Cleaning Tar from Rim Tape Not sure if this belongs in Tech, or General but I'll post here. There's been a lot of road work being done around my house, and especially along the commute I take to work. I noticed during the final stages they put on some oily substance on top of the fresh pavement. Someone told me it's a really thin tar or a really thick oil. I was washing the bike today, and had a heck of a time trying to get this oily stuff off the rim tape and the wheels. With a regular dish soap, it would take me more than 10 minutes per tire of hard scrubbing and it still didn't look quite right. I decided I'd had enough and just left it looking grimy. Due to my km and some rain rides, the chain looked like it needed a cleaning/lube as well. I took a short (45 min ride to warm up the chain and proceeded to spray some WD-40 on paper towels to clean up the chain. I accidentally got some on the wheel and rim tape, and like freakin' magic the tar just vanished! It turns out WD-40 is a solvent that can remove tar, and now my tires and rim tape look spectacular __________________________________________________ 2013 CRF250L 1985 GL1200 Interstate

July 20th, 2009, 10:56 AM	#3
patw ninjette.org guru Name: Pat Location: Barrie, Ontario Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 SE Posts: 338	Yeah, any lubricant on the tires is bad news. That's why I spray the WD-40 onto a paper towel and wipe in the wheel area only. I did however notice some chain wax on the side of the tires. It's anti-fling, but it still seems to do it. __________________________________________________ 2013 CRF250L 1985 GL1200 Interstate

July 20th, 2009, 01:50 PM	#4
almost40 ninjette.org Monkey Spank Name: Kevin Location: Illinois Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R Track-Bike Woodcraft clip-ons and rearsets FZ-6 track bike Posts: A lot.	WD-40 takes crayon of painted walls too. Theres a ton of uses for that stuff. __________________________________________________ Black 250R Full Area P QC Dyno Jet Kit 100 main 41T Rear Sprocket

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July 19th, 2009, 10:08 PM	#2
Nemy ninjette.org sage Name: Tim Location: Portland, OR Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250R Posts: 796	just watch out cause I don't think wd40 should be on the tires. I actually use a bottle of simple green ultra or something (black bottle) that I picked up from Cdn tire. Works amazingly to cut down the grime... only thing is I haven't tried it on the SE but it should be fine even for our painted rims

July 20th, 2009, 02:58 PM	#6
Cedilla ninjette.org sage Name: Chris Location: Huntsville, AL Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: 755	The Maxima chain wax works great, it does not fling off much as long as you let it sit for at least 30 min before riding again. Also the stuff is real tacky and it will stick to the inside of the chain guard, and it also picks up alot of dirt, so cleaning will be a bit more of a chore but I think it is worth it.

July 20th, 2009, 03:39 PM	#7
rockNroll . Name: rock Location: greenville, south carolina Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.	I always use WD40 to clean my wheels, it works great!

July 20th, 2009, 06:09 PM	#10
ScorpionNinja ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Dave Location: Michigan Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 650RTE & 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (SOLD) Posts: A lot.	As far as chain lubes Flingin'. Ive been thinking of making a sort of Chain/Rear Wheel, deflector. made of cardboard or sumin'. Just put bike on rearstand, do your clean/lube to chain.... then set the deflector in place..... start your bike and throddle up 4k ish (after letting the lube 'set in for 10-15mins', like the back of can says) then the **** that flings off will just fling onto your Giant Cardboard 'FENDER' instead of your RIM,rearfender ,etc!