Cleaning Braking Surfaces

Swiss stop make this: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/swissstop-swissclean-rim-clean...
It seems to work for me.

White spirit should not be used, it leaves a small amount of oily residue. I normally use clear liquid kitchen cleaner with a dishcloth on my alloy rims, then rinse off with water. If I was being fussy I would probably use lemon degreaser liquid and a worn scotchbrite pad, then water. If I was going to use spirits it would be methylated spirit, easy to get hold of.

I'd choose meths over white spirit as the latter leaves a residue.

I got some "Old Spice" for Secret Santa last year and if it hadn't been for a timely intervention I'd've got more for Secret Santa this year !  

Thanks for the tip.

I use all the bad aftershave I've been given over the years and wipe the rims down with that, Tai Winds from Avon is one I found in the loft last year which must be 30 years old although it does make my bikes, and shed, smell like a tarts handbag.  It's basically a cheap way to get alcohol, actually perfumed degreaser is a good idea for kickstarter - anyone?

I use a quick squirt of fenwicks foaming chain degreaser.  Spot of elbow grease & the rims are free (briefly) of the black crud.

Disc brakes are the answer, I think.  

*Dons tin hat*

isopropyl alcohol is the best

+1 for vinegar. Quick, effective and cheap.

Try some white (or spirit) vinegar on a clean rag or cloth and some elbow grease.

IPA (iso propyl alchohol) not the beer . Will degrease most things without leaving a residue or causing damage.

Hi, this is from Reynolds:

"Cleaning carbon rims: You will need a clean gray scotch-brite pad (most hardware stores will stock gray, ultra-fine-abrasive pads) and Acetone to best clean your wheels. First, clean the brake track along the top 13mm of rim circumference. Remove all discoloration, smears and ‘tacky- feeling’ areas. Focus on the rough feeling patches or those with obvious discoloration and very-very lightly scuff with the scotch-brite pad in the direction along the circumference of the rim. Please be careful not to use excessive pressure when cleaning your wheels as it is easy to remove more than surface contamination and damage the braking layer molded into the rim."

-source doc (PDF) https://www.reynoldscycling.com/uploads/reynolds.carbon.wheel.cleaning.pdf

Mirka pads are identical to scotchbrite, but easier to find and cheaper on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Acetone is nail polish remover.

I tend to put some degreaser on a rag and use that.