Accidentally splashed some oil... How to clean off tyre?

Hi everyone,

I accidentally kicked the pan I was using when changing my oil the other day, and it splashed hot, dirty, used oil all over my rear tyre. I wiped it up as best I could, but I still see a few small spots here and there where it looks like it might have soaked into the rubber. What's a good way to clean it up? Very light detergent and lots and lots of water? Any suggestions appreciated!

Thanks,
-Troy

I used detergent when i had a redex spillage and all was fine. Some people might say it does bad things to the rubber compound but once can't hurt.

Just pretend you have a brand new tyre fitted and need to get it scrubbed in again. I am sure you have only spilled oil on a small section of the tyre. It will be nothing more than going over a drain cover when cranked over. It'll possibly slide for a fraction of a moment and then regain traction.

Personally, if and when I do the same thing, I wipe the area with a clean rag and forget about it.

Arighty... Thanks for the tips, guys. I think I'll just give it another scrub with some water only to ease my mind and then go for a ride as if I had new tires.

Thanks!
-Troy

I try anything that comes to hand. Chain cleaner, engine degreaser. I tried Carbon tet one time and it seemed to eat the rubber. Hot water and wash up liquid should do the trick though.

wd40 is good for cleaning up oil is it not?

[jambo]

Originally Posted by New Leaf

wd40 is good for cleaning up oil is it not?

Possibly, but it's not something you want on your tyres anyway.

Hot water & fairy.

Originally Posted by BigApe

Just pretend you have a brand new tyre fitted and need to get it scrubbed in again. I am sure you have only spilled oil on a small section of the tyre. It will be nothing more than going over a drain cover when cranked over. It'll possibly slide for a fraction of a moment and then regain traction.

Personally, if and when I do the same thing, I wipe the area with a clean rag and forget about it.

+1. I've managed to get both oil and chainwax on my rear tyre on seperate occassions. In both instances, cleaning didn't get it all off, but within a 20 mile ride (could have been much sooner, but perhaps I was being overly cautious) treating it like a new tyre being scrubbed in worked fine. Like scrubbing in, I'd only lean it over further very gradually- 100 miles with the bike upright then suddenly trying to get your knee down is a recipe for disaster.