I want to clean up the rims on my trailer. They are nothing fancy, just look like stock wheels that need at least a hub-cap, but I want to paint them black to clean them up, and then paint the spindle/bearing housing lime green (Pantera) and I think it will go with the look I'm working towards on my rig (Old school).

There is still a build up of grease on the rims from years of use that I need to get cleaned off.
Last winter (before moving out to the desert) I had a buddy pull all the spindles and re-do all the bearings. While the wheels were off, I took them to a do-it-yourself carwash and started pressure washing them in ~20 degree temps. I succeeded in giving myself a slight frostbite on my hands, and ruining a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt (which I promptly stripped down naked and threw away in the garage as soon as I got back home).
I had new tires put on, and rolled the rig out west.

What are the suggestions to get the rest of the grease off, and get the rims ready for paint? Oven cleaner? de-greaser??
I just don't want a huge mess.