Cleaning Spokes - any tips?

[the_monster]

have you tried taking the bike to the dealers and waving the credit card about - it works for your servicing

[banquo]

Standard spokes are zinc plated and should never be cleaned aggressively.
The zinc is designed to corrode, and by doing so protects the steel below via galvanic protection (sacrificial corrosion). Aggressive polishing removes zinc, and reduces the level of remaining protection. The spokes go black as the zinc oxidises (although brake dust can have a similar effect).

Stainless spokes are the answer, especially if combined with stainless rims.