OK...I was just having a bit of fun back there, but for when I have to clean my rims and spokes I use all or a combination of the following..
there is a scotchbrite pad in white, which is the softest, whatever the softest is I use it on the spokes.. you can get this in long rolls and what I do is cut it into long strips an inch or two wide and wrap it once around a spoke...then I kind of pull back and forth like I am milking a cow. the cleaner I use is dependent upon the level of rust or corrosion....when it's just grease and schmutz on the spokes, I substitute the scotchbrite for a clean heavy bath towel type fabric.....even some old canvas strips will work....cleaner or polish is your choice. the chrome rims are easy.....like rust or pitting can be removed with the finest of the fine steel wool or a heavy scotchbrite pad, once again adjust the abrasive to the level of corrosion....
the alloy rims that look great when clean are a b*t*h to clean once corroded or oxidized....keep them clean from new after every few ride and they stay sweet for a long time.....leave them for a winter after a late autumn run and you'll pay the price in the spring...(that's what happened to me)....
Nevr-Dull
http://www.nevrdull.com/
or
BELGOM
http://www.abcpolishing.co.uk/shop.html ... et=d9.html
or great polishers but they required lots of extra rags to get all the excess polish off.
to get into the nooks and cranies around the spokes....a dremel tool with the appropriate tips will work...
here's a trick that I thought about......in Holland they ride alot of bicycles.....I noticed once on a trip there that they have this kind of bristly wire thing that is long enough to make into a ring......I have seen people make a ring of this bristle brush stuff, put it on the inside of the spokes around the hub and if you can avoid being seen my your friends or the neighorbors pointing at you as you ride around for a day, the hub will clean up real nice if you are patient. I thought I have a picture of this set up some where, I will have a look around.
good luck and have fun, I am off to Hooters.
Eric