Instructions

1 Uninstall the wheels from the bicycle frame. Use a cone wrench to loosen the bolts that fasten the wheel to the bicycle frame. Suspend your bike in a rack and drop the wheels out of the mounting surface to adequately access the entire carbon rim.

2 Remove any embedded particles on the rims, including small stones or metal debris by poking at it with a point tool such as a metal rod. Debris commonly gets embedded in wheels over time from the road and elements as you ride.

3 Identify discolorations, tacky-feeling areas and smears on the surface of the wheel. Run your fingers along the circumference of the rim’s brake surface to feel for width variations and changes in texture. Changes in texture indicate areas that need cleaning, such as parts with brake-pad glazing.

4 Scuff the entire wheel's circumference lightly with a scouring pad, starting from the valve hole. Focus on the areas with texture variation and discoloration. Follow a vertical cleaning motion against the direction of wheel rotation on both sides of the rim until all discolorations, tacky areas and smears are removed.

5 Wipe the wheel surface with acetone or denatured alcohol. Apply the acetone or denatured alcohol on a clean cotton rag and rub against the wheel until there are no dark-gray dirt deposits on your cleaning rag. Carbon wheels deposit dark surface material when they're not clean.