Keeping alloy wheels nice n clean n shiny?

[PINBALL]

Anyone got any tips to keeping wheels nice n clean by putting a thick wax perhaps on alloys.

Or to put it another way, is there a barrier wax, or similar that helps crud fall off easier when cleaned?

What do car valet's use when getting ready for resale on forecourt, a steam cleaner?

Mine seem to attract allsorts of crud within 2-300 miles from last extensive cleaning with "Vandal mark & graffitti remover" and then coating with USA made 'Mc Guires' auto wax, as reccomended by friend in Las Vegas who has a nice n sparkly metalflaked pick-up truck.

Any tips chaps?

Thanks, Keith.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

autoglym wheel cleaner works well. spray it on and wash it off. all done without scrubbing. if its hard baked on stuff you may need to scrub a bit.

then you can buy brake dust barrier. turtle wax do it. if your wheels are in good condition then a coating of wax will help the dust come off as it lowers its abilty to stick which makes it easier to clean. but you should clean them regularly and never spray water on the wheels when they are hot. this helps the dust bake on. best let your wheels cool first before washing them off.

if your wheels are losing the laquer or pitting then you well need to have them restored properly. or leave them alone.

 

[PINBALL]

Great input Slinkyjoe

Thanks Slinky, didn't think anyone elso was up at this time of day!

Some great tips there.
Many thanks,
Keith.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

i wish i wasnt! my bed is screaming out for me....just a few hours to go.

 

[jberks]

Used Wonder wheels and other cleaners but the finish was starting to get dull with all the corrosion from the cleaners. So, figuring they were basically laquered paint, I cleaned mine up with tcut and then polished them up with Mer. Came up a treat and clean really easily now with brake dust just wiping off. Probably will need a top up every 3-4 months but they gleam so worth it. I believe you can get a thicker wax (new cars seem to come with this applied) but I haven't actually ever found any in the shops.

 

[c13tay]

There was a good article in last months Mercedes Enthusiast all about looking after your alloy wheels.

Never use solvents etc never use washing up liquid, use good quality automotive shampoo and then wax - some companies do a special wheel wax which is supposed to be good -

a friend of mine got some from the states - clean one of my wheels with it - amazing results - brake dust comes off very easily with a quick blast form the hose pipe

 

[Ntha]

I use TurtleWax

I use Turtle Wax Wheel Cleaner and Wheel wax. Probably clean every month or so, may be about a thousound miles. Works ok but do need to scrub after spraying. Seems to give good gleam after waxing. Got E Avantgrade, so only five nice spokes and easy to get round.

 

[3146bj]

A inexpensive and effective cleaner for alloys and one which doesn't damage the alloy is Shell Teepol Gold or Dobatex Gold (it may go by another name in the UK, but I believe it is a universal name.). The name has changed recently to Dobatex. It is bio-degradable and is really intended as a dairy detergent but works well on alloys and as a degreaser in the engine bay or other greasy bits. Use a hand sprayer, leave it for 20minutes on wheels or longer for greasy bits, then hose off using a fine, high velocity jet. Cost here is about AU$14 for 5 litres.

 

[fionanallan]

Today's Top Tip?

I've been told...although I havent actually tried it...that good old fashioned white vinegar in a cheap spray bottle, (poundland!), is the cheapest and best option to clean alloy your wheels. Having just paid the best part of ten quid for a bottle of alloy wheel cleaner, I think I'm going to give it a go next time!

 

[jberks]

I've been told...although I havent actually tried it...that good old fashioned white vinegar in a cheap spray bottle, (poundland!), is the cheapest and best option to clean alloy your wheels. Having just paid the best part of ten quid for a bottle of alloy wheel cleaner, I think I'm going to give it a go next time!

Only because its corrosive. Battery acid is good too! Seriously, as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure - I was an avid Wonder Wheels user until I saw the damage long term usage was doing. I haven't had to use any cleaning product on the wheels sinced I waxed them. Just run a brush attached to a hosepipe over them each week and they come up like new. When I find I have to scrub, I just get a bit of polish on a cloth and run it over. This removes any stubborn marks and ensures it isn't a problem the next week.

 

[PINBALL]

Thanks people

Some very usefull tip there,

Regards,

Keith.

 

[The Editor]

The best stuff I've used by far is 'Wheel Wax' (No that REALLY is the name of it.)

You have to get your wheels nice and squeeky clean first (maybe Wonder wheels or similar just to prepare them the once :-( ) Then apply a liberal splattering of Wheel Wax, let it dry and then buff it off.

The stuff resembles rotting mayonaise !! (No other way to describe it - oh and it stinks!!) but the results are fantastic. The other thing you will notice is the next time you come to wash your wheels with your car shampoo and water the brake dust and filth doesn't cling and it just falls off easily with a gentle brush !!

Just my two pennyworth... have a look at http://www.wheelwax.com/


Cheers

The Ed

 

[SLinKyjoe]

just to point out. brake dust bakes on if you leave it long enought. it may look a sod to shift but water and soapy stuff car wash, and maybes a brush will bring it all off.

applying wax to clean, or better still new wheels will help it come off easier even if it looks baked on.

once your wheels have pitted, or the laquer is tarnished it becomes more difficult to the point at which you may need to get your wheels sorted properly.


So polish your wheels as soon as you buy your car. drive it how you like and give the wheels half an hours of so to cool then hose the brake dust off before you leave your car.