[konifere]

Hi all,

This has probably been discusses in the past, but I can't find anything on it. For the clean freaks out there, how do you clean you fork seals/dust wipers ? I noticed on my RXF38 that there is a tiny "second" lip on the wipers where some fine dirt accumulates (where the dust can be seen on this picture).

I always wipe a few drops of WPL Fork Boost after every ride, compress the fork, clean the oil with clean tissues, then do it again to get all the dirt out of the seals. But when there is stuff left, I started using (once) a clean toothbrush to pull up the fine dirt stuck in the little crevice, which seems to make it look like new again.

I'm wondering if it's a good or bad idea ? I'm not pushing down on the toothbrush, trying to brush it parallel to the ground, and obviously I can't go behind the fork arch, but I just find it satisfying haha. I always wipe the stanchions clean and leave no oil there before going riding.

So toothbrushing the seal good, or bad idea?

 

[canadmos]

I just ignore them now, seems to work pretty well.

They do seem fairly protected with running a fender permanently. When I lube my chain, I usually use the same rag and run it around the seals, seems to do the trick.

 

[6thElement]

Soft fluffy face flannel used to clean stanchions, dropper and rear shock.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Soft fluffy face flannel used to clean stanchions, dropper and rear shock.

I just use an old sock.

 

[6thElement]

I just use an old sock.

The ol' JD method before he had access to soft furniture.

 

[Westy]

I just ignore them now, seems to work pretty well.

 

[Redwood Mulch Chucker]

Clean them with a soft toothbrush, and wipe off the crap.

Pull the seal away from that stanchion with fingernail and push a small zip tie down (smooth side towards seal) to burp the air and drip some Supergliss 68k (or whatever you use for lower bath) in and let it soak into the foam.

Remove zip ties, push down a few times and wipe the crap off again

Every two rides or so, makes the freshly serviced lowers feel last forever!

 

[Electric_City]

I can't believe that nobody recommended it yet.
Cleans great around the wipers.

 

[slyfink]

many years ago there was an interview on youtub with Darren (from Push). He said he just wipes down the stanchions and seals after every ride and flips his bike upside down for a while (maybe an hour or so?) to let the oil inside the fork run down and soak the foam rings and settle against the wiper. During rides, whenever he gets a chance, he'll stand his bike up on it's rear wheel to accomplish the same thing.

I do that and it seems to work very well. i find it's very noticeable when you flip the bike back up, there is much less initial stiction. I also use a microfibre cloth and wipe the stanchions and seals while the bike is upside down...

the other thing I guess is you have to keep up with regular maintenance so there is enough oil in the fork and it stays fresh ...

edit to add: I used to use that WPL stanchion cleaner stuff on my fork, shock and seatpost. I quit using it when it became apparent how much it was gumming up my seatpost (and I figured out how easy it is to pull apart, wipe down and coat with a little slick honey).

 

[Full Trucker]

Wipe stanchions and seals off with a rag, spray stanchions with some SC-1.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Wipe stanchions and seals off with a rag, spray stanchions with some SC-1.

"New bike in a can"

 

[slyfink]

Wipe stanchions and seals off with a rag, spray stanchions with some SC-1.

I bought a can of Muc Off bike polish or some other post-clean bike prep a while back. I use it mostly when it's really muddy out to make it easier to clean after, as it helps the mud and dust slough off. I've always been weary of spraying it on stanchions and seals as I don't know how it will affect the rubber...

 

[Inclag]

Clean them with a soft toothbrush, and wipe off the crap.

Pull the seal away from that stanchion with fingernail and push a small zip tie down (smooth side towards seal) to burp the air and drip some Supergliss 68k (or whatever you use for lower bath) in and let it soak into the foam.

Remove zip ties, push down a few times and wipe the crap off again

Every two rides or so, makes the freshly serviced lowers feel last forever!

<-- This.

I got some commercial machinery way oil that I use with the zip tie trick. Significant performance difference. Reminds me that I need to muck about with my shimstack to increase compression damping due to the friction reduction.

 

[bullcrew]

Microfiber cloth, toothbrush
If you pull lowers out, pull foam rings clean with dawn soap, let dry soak in 20 wt oil
Wipe old grease or slik honey out of middle of dust seal, add more in...I let mine leave rings in stanchion so it tells me it's pushing stuff out on compression and internal pressure...

Or as stated above, just ignore it, occasionally wipe wipers off.

 

[konifere]

Thanks all! That's kind of a stupid question that I've always wondered, but never bothered to ask before.

I did try most techniques, including ignoring, and everything or nothing seems to work indeed. I just didn't want to push dirt underneath the wipers with the toothbrush, but I'm pretty careful.

My bike is always stored saddle+bars on the wall, so the fork is upside down all the time except when riding. My foam rings are probably always well oiled when I'm going for a ride

 

[jrewing]

Anyone here not run foam wipers? I just add a few more CC’s of oil, and turn upside down to store, and do like Darren at Push did and on back wheel during the day.

 

[bullcrew]

I run foam and flip bikes upside down 1 time a month...it resoaks the foam...we don't have to worry about air in brake lines like the old hayes mag days....lol...grab a handful of hope and nothing but fear ...lol

 

[jstuhlman]

I run foam and flip bikes upside down 1 time a month...it resoaks the foam...we don't have to worry about air in brake lines like the old hayes mag days....lol...grab a handful of hope and nothing but fear ...lol

say you've also had shimano xt's without saying you've also had shimano xt's...

 

[johnbryanpeters]

say you've also had shimano xt's without saying you've also had shimano xt's...

I have first generation Shimano XTs and they don't care if the bike is inverted.

 

[Westy]

I can't believe that nobody recommended it yet.
Cleans great around the wipers.

View attachment 215886

Can't get between the arch. and leg. Why I use a sandblaster.

 

[jstuhlman]

I have first generation Shimano XTs and they don't care if the bike is inverted.

interesting. i had a few sets over the years and they'd all need to be "pumped up" before riding if they'd been inverted.

 

[englertracing]

Hi all,

This has probably been discusses in the past, but I can't find anything on it. For the clean freaks out there, how do you clean you fork seals/dust wipers ? I noticed on my RXF38 that there is a tiny "second" lip on the wipers where some fine dirt accumulates (where the dust can be seen on this picture).

I always wipe a few drops of WPL Fork Boost after every ride, compress the fork, clean the oil with clean tissues, then do it again to get all the dirt out of the seals. But when there is stuff left, I started using (once) a clean toothbrush to pull up the fine dirt stuck in the little crevice, which seems to make it look like new again.

I'm wondering if it's a good or bad idea ? I'm not pushing down on the toothbrush, trying to brush it parallel to the ground, and obviously I can't go behind the fork arch, but I just find it satisfying haha. I always wipe the stanchions clean and leave no oil there before going riding.

So toothbrushing the seal good, or bad idea?
View attachment 215843

Plan 1 was good
Plan 2 not so

 

[englertracing]

interesting. i had a few sets over the years and they'd all need to be "pumped up" before riding if they'd been inverted.

Nah

 

[Electric_City]

Can't get between the arch. and leg. Why I use a sandblaster.

That's why I cut the arch off. Inverted forks don't have them, so why should mine? Weight savings made easy!

 

[Electric_City]

Anyone here not run foam wipers? I just add a few more CC’s of oil, and turn upside down to store, and do like Darren at Push did and on back wheel during the day.

The only thing the wipers do is keep the foam rings clean. So if you don't want the foam rings, get rid of the wipers too! Much like a chain, all you have to do is spray the stanchions with some WD-40 before the ride and you're good to go!

 

[englertracing]

The only thing the wipers do is keep the foam rings clean. So if you don't want the foam rings, get rid of the wipers too! Much like a chain, all you have to do is spray the stanchions with some WD-40 before the ride and you're good to go!

 

[Redwood Mulch Chucker]

Just turn it upside down, mkay.

 

[Jm_]

I think you should pull the seals, melt some wax in a cauldron, dip them in the melted wax, say some evil shit and cast a spell on Fox Shox.