Cleaning rims newbie question

[eoi2621]

So i want to clean off decades or grim( and a little rust) from my dads bike fifties raleigh with steel rims . What's the best method ? I did a search but it threw up 300 results about rims

[Cyril Haearn]

Just try with water and a cloth first, that should not do any damage at least
Care to post some pictures?

[foxychick]

Silver foil and white vinegar defo works try a small area first.

[eoi2621]

Cheers what about autosol ? I have a tube somewhere

[Rod Goodfellow]

Aluminium foil cheaper and works ok.

[tim-b]

Hi
Autosol leaves a coating behind, which might not be best for braking, and steel rims are sometimes pretty poor for braking
Regards
tim-b

[Sweep]

Steel rims, oh the horror!
The rust might aid braking.

[eoi2621]

Well foil and vinegar made a big difference but the rims were quite rusty and i suspect the rust will return quickly

[printedland]

Well foil and vinegar made a big difference but the rims were quite rusty and i suspect the rust will return quickly

If you're really keen on the whole retro re-build, this lot sell new, old-style 27" rims: https://www.bankruptbikeparts.co.uk/rim ... bbp2213140

[hamster]

Seriously, steel rims are only marginally better in the dry than dragging an anvil on a rope. In the wet the anvil will outperform them.

As said a set of wheels with aluminium rims is the single best upgrade you can do. After that, fit new brake pads, cables and outers and the brakes will be transformed.

[eoi2621]

I think finding 26 1 1/4 alloy or even new steel rims would be seriously expensive and difficult . I have a modern bike if i want to go any great distance

[hamster]

Indeed not so easy for 597 rims, but you also have 590 available and cheap. In all probability you can drop the brake blocks the extra 3mm to fit.
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/rims-26-590/