In this article I will share my experiences of removing hardened latex tubeless sealant from a mountain bike tubeless tire with a Powertec Abrasive Cleaning Stick. Personally I prefer to remove that layer of hard latex sealant before I want to add a new cycle of tubeless sealant (or replenisher).
Key features Powertec Abrasive Cleaning Stick
On the product page of the large Powertec Abrasive Cleaning Stick with product number 71407 you can read the following description:
Our Sanding Belt Cleaning Stick works like a charm – every time. Its the perfect abrasive belt cleaner – it successfully cleans whatever sanding component you’re using. This sanding belt cleaner stick is easy to use and it cleans so effectively – for a great user experience through many a successful projects.
- INCLUDES: (1) Abrasive Cleaning Stick 8-1/2″ x 1-1/2 ” x 1-1/2″ Large Size
- FUNCTION: Extends the lifespan of your sanding disc, belts and other sander equipment by removing sawdust, pitch, gum, glue and other residue without damaging the grit
- PREMIUM: Made with a professional grade all-natural rubber construction, this sanding eraser is designed for durability and comes with an extended length and sizable girth to take on most of your sandpaper cleaning jobs
- EASY TO USE: While the sander is running, hold eraser stick against your selected abrasive to remove the build-up, clogged dust, debris and particles – returning a like new look to your sanding surface.
- VERSATILE: Ideal for cleaning sanding belts, disc sanders, drum sanders, skateboard grip tape, rubber bottom shoes (Not intended for plastic or use on conveyor-feed type sanders)
- PLEASE NOTE: Works best on cured or dry residue
Works Great For
- Sanding disc and sanding belt cleaning
- Post job cleaning
- Woodworking sanding job clean up
- Oily and pitchy sanding jobs
- Grip tape cleaner
- Anytime you get buildup on your sanding accessories
A little while ago I’ve reviewed the Muc-Off Glue & Sealant Remover which I particularly use to clean the valve inside area. Sometimes this is also nice to put on a cloth and clean the rim from a bit of sealant after installation.
The Powertec Abrasive Cleaning Stick is the best choice to completely clean your tubeless tire from hard dry-ed up sealant. While it is a fairly manual process, it gives you the most control over cleaning the tire-thread which is the connection point to your rim.
In the GCN Tech video: “Easy Hack for Tubeless Tyre Sealant Removal” you can also see that Alex uses an electrical drill bit with a rubber wheel attached. However this is a less controlled -but faster- way of cleaning your tire from sealant. Especially in the tire-thread area this is not a useful option at all, and you risk damaging your high performance tires.
So the GCN Tech team also use and recommend a rubber eraser, like the Powertec Abrasive Cleaning Stick. On the Powertec website you can see the exact eraser: 71895 Abrasive Cleaning Sanding Block (in a pack of 5). Why did I chose the large Powertec Abrasive Cleaning Stick? Simple … a matter of shipping costs and the option to cut the larger Powertec Abrasive Cleaning Stick into a shape that best supports me in cleaning the tubeless tires I have in use:
- Maxxis Rambler Gravel tire
- Vittoria Mezcal Endurance Gravel
- Vittoria Barzo and Vittoria Mezcal Mountain Bike tires
Please note that I only use Stan’s Race Day Tubeless Sealant or Silca Ultimate Tubeless Sealant and Replenisher where Silca has the advantage of replenishing and thus minimizing the need to clean with the Powertec Abrasive Cleaning Stick.
Concluding thoughts and wrap-up
The price point of the Powertec Abrasive Cleaning Stick is around € 15,00 – € 18,00. I’ve simply ordered over Amazon and get the rubber eraser delivered at my home. For me it is a reasonable price point given that all other options are way more expensive on the long term.
- Have you heard about the Powertec natural rubber products before ?
- Do you remove tubeless tire sealant with this method? Or are you following another approach, with different products?
Please let me know in the comment section below. A couple of other tubeless related product reviews can be found in the list below from sealant to rim tape and valves.
- Stan’s Race Day Tubeless Sealant review
- Silca Ultimate Tubeless Sealant and Replenisher
- Muc-Off Glue & Sealant Remover
- Peaty’s x Chris King MK2 Tubeless Valves
- DT Swiss Tubeless Ready Rim Tape
- Muc-Off Tubeless Rim Tape on A-Symmetrical DT Swiss RR411 Road Rim
Are you interested in other product reviews on this website? Please check out the categories below:
