Alloy Wheels!!!

[fionanallan]

Just spent the entire day polishing the standard alloys on our C220 CDI. I took the advice offered in an earlier thread and T cut the wheels, then waxed them. They came up superb...really shiny. But the front two wheels seem to have black specks all over them, and try as I might, I cant budge them. It's like hard tar or something, although I'm assuming that it's a deposit from the brakes. It comes off, (with great difficulty!), if you scrape it with your fingernail, but I'm really hoping there's another way of removing this.
Gratefull for any suggestions or advice.
Thanks.

 

[television]

I would use petrol to disolve the deposits, even deisel is a wonderful cleaner, I used to clean my hands in deisel till I was warned that the skin obsorbs it.

Malcolm

 

[fionanallan]

Malcolm...thanks for your reply which I read a wee while ago. I nipped out and tried petrol on one of the wheels, but it didnt seem to do anything. I'll try some diesel tomorrow, (with gloves on!). I'm begining to wonder if the wheel is pitted, but I really dont thinks so. I'm pretty sure its on the surface...and its only the front two wheels. The back ones are gleaming like new pins!
Anyway...thanks again for the advice. I'll post tomorrow after the diesel treatment.

 

[mouldb]

Hi,
Try Mr Muscle mousse oven cleaner & a soft tooth brush. Then T Cut & polish them. It is realy good stuff, but use gloves!!


Bruce.

 

[fionanallan]

I wondered about an old toothbrush, but just assumed it would mark the wheel. I'll have a go at that as well...with Mr Muscle! May as well put it to some use...it's been in the cupboard for ages...unopened!
Hope Fiona does'nt read this!
Thanks for that.

 

[John Turner]

I had the same sort of black marks on my wheels - meths, petrol, wheel cleaners all failed. Surprisingly, what did start to shift them was Autoglym tyre dressing! Obviously I found out by accident, but much of the black rubbed off with a soft cloth after overspraying.

 

[fionanallan]

Thanks for that. I'll maybe try that first. It seems like the kindest, least harmfull option!

 

[Chris_J]

Don't really want to be using the mr Muscle oven cleaner

Get a clay bar (Meguiars one from Halfords will do) and try that with the supplied Quik Detailer as a lube. I haven't tried it on my car as yet, but it's supposed to work wonders.

 

[evo-number-one]

....and another one to try...

is ...... lighter fuel!

But it does safely work (although, I always wear gloves and refrain from having a Marlboro' at the same time ).
I have successfully removed tar from both wheels and bodywork with this stuff without any degregation to either alloy or paintwork. I always use it to clear any gunk or glue off of bodywork when renewing badges (or debadging).

Holts make a product (or at least they used to) specifically for tar removal, but moved to the LF when mine ran out a few years ago and could find none of the Holts stuff anywhere.

On alloys, dont be afraid to get stuck in with the toothbrush - without them (and the wonder that is Wonder Wheels) I would never be able keep the intricate latticing of my Integrale alloys clean and such brushing has not damaged the surfaces in anyway. I specificaly buy the 'Reach' ones with the springy stems (yes, sad I know).

Hope this is of some help

e-n-o

 

[television]

is ...... lighter fuel!



e-n-o

I use lighter fuel for many things in electronics through to removing most deposits, it does not hurt plastics or paint.

Malcolm

 

[David Williams]

How do you all deal with the raised blisters..?

 

[Blobcat]

How do you all deal with the raised blisters..?

Needle sterilised in Vodka

 

[television]

Little one can do with those, moisture has got in under the paint, if left it will get larger and larger,With polished wheels I would just wax them to seal the holes, with painted wheels, with a very small screwdriver I would take the top off,and scrape away the corrosion, taking care not to damage the surrounding area and fill the hole with a match stick dipped in the paint, any atempt to use sand paper whil require a much larger area to be done. If you are not used to working with these paints I would just T cut and wax.
Any form of wheel cleaner is lethal, just read the contents on the label.


Malcolm

 

[Blobcat]

Any form of wheel cleaner is lethal, just read the contents on the label.


Malcolm

Pls add plenty of tonic and lemon and serve over ice

 

[television]

Pls add plenty of tonic and lemon and serve over ice

Shaken or stired Sir Bobcat

Malcolm

 

[Ampstar]

Wurth "Brake and Chain" cleaner is great stuff. Removed two years worth of ingrained brake dust from the wheels of one of the works cars in minutes. Spray it onto a rag, and wipe the wheel. More economical that spraying it all over.

And can also recommend Tesco Alloy Wheel Cleaner (£1.47 for 500ml)-better that Wonder Wheels (IMHO) and far, far cheaper.

 

[Flying Scot]

On alloys, dont be afraid to get stuck in with the toothbrush - without them (and the wonder that is Wonder Wheels) I would never be able keep the intricate latticing of my Integrale alloys clean and such brushing has not damaged the surfaces in anyway. I specificaly buy the 'Reach' ones with the springy stems (yes, sad I know).

Hope this is of some help

e-n-o

I use my Braun 9000 with the built in timing swich off circuit so i dont over-clean the wheels :roll:

 

[white van man]

i have used a cheap metal polish called PEAK,comes in the same packaging as autoglym but around a third of the price.traffic film remover is also very good for loosening any tar.