Keeping Alloys Clean

[James Edwards]

Being fairly new to alloy wheels, I was wondering if any of you folks can advise me on any system or magic cleaner to keep my 98’ C250TD Est Sport looking smart or is it just regular elbow grease!
Thanks
James
Kent

 

[Mike Buley]

I use "wonder wheels" which is about £8.00 from most car type shops. (halfords etc). It cleans the wheels excellently without having to apply too much pressure which may damage the wheels.

hope that helps.
Mike.

92 300TE.

 

[Koolvin]

I use Luke warm water and a paintbrush

 

[dieselman]

Avoid any wheel cleaners as they are acid based. They get the wheels lovely and clean, but the lacquer won't last long.

Soapy water, elbow grease and wax polish.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Avoid any wheel cleaners as they are acid based. They get the wheels lovely and clean, but the lacquer won't last long.

Soapy water, elbow grease and wax polish.

That sounds a bit extreme.


Use an Acid based cleaner (such as Autoglym Clean Wheels that I use) but be aware that it's acid based, apply and rinse thoroughly as directed and don't use everytime.

If you use soapy water (car shampoo) to wash your wheels weekly or so, you shoudl only need the specific cleaner from time to time.

I have used Autoglym Clean Wheels on approx average every other wash on my last 3 cars without problems.

PS. the Autoglym Wheel Cleaning Brush is worth the initial outlay.

 

[dieselman]

On most wheels there probably wont be much of a problem with cleaners, but if you have MB polished rim wheels, ala Avantgarde spec, then the lacquer is doing its best to fall off from day one anyway. The acid then really helps...not!

 

[James Edwards]

Alloy wheels

This question began this afternoon when I asked my son for some wire wool.
He “politely” told me that it would take off the lacquer.
Does one ever re-lacquer alloys?
I read someplace that one could take them to a professional for cleaning.
The replies received so far look very interesting, it appears that a good soaking & a regular clean is the answer. At least the alloys on my 250td sport are quite easy to clean, not like some, eg my old 405td GTX!!!
James
Kent

 

[steveperry]

"wire wool" Eek I hope your wheels survived.

There are companies that will refurbish alloy wheels, that includes re-lacquering the surface, maybe a search on this site may throw up some names.

If you want to keep your wheels looking clean for longer, then try waxing them after you've washed them. The brake dust should not adhere as strongly with a layer of wax in the way.

S.

 

[Nik_Codling]

re-lacquering wheels

Best bet for refurbishing wheels is to look in your yellow pages and find a local shot blasting place. Most will have done loads of wheels, and will either be able to re-coat them in-house or recommend a local firm that will do a good job.

I had a Mini shot blasted a few years ago by a company in Swanwick (near Southampton) and at the time they were charging around £15 per wheel. I would expect about the same to have it re-coated.

Best bet when it's been blasted is to either have it powder coated in the colour of your choice (silvery grey?) or to have the bare wheel lacquered. You may wish to have it polished first if you're a tart :wink: Usually to lacquer a wheel a powder coating place will heat the wheel up in the oven and then apply a clear coat while the wheel is still hot. I believe this is then left to "cure" naturally, to give the best finish.

I'd have thought that you could get a set of four wheels done for about £200 including blasting, coating and the cost of having the tyres re-fitted.

Nik

 

[Dave K]

As others have said, avoid the wheel cleaning solutions as they are usually acid based. I find Autoglym engine degreaser cleans alloy wheels really well. I don't think I'd try Gunk or anything like that though.

And as someone else said, wax them afterwards.

 

[lesworth]

Alloy Wheel Cleaning

This is an interesting article on the most popular wheel cleaners on the market.

Waxing the wheels afterwards is essential, as had been said in many of the above posts!

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/?product_test/product_test_story.php?id=33855

 

[trucker01]

Hello to all, im new to this forum.

I bought a product called Alloy Wax from a company called Toughseal. Its not a cleaner but more of a polymer protective polish. When I cleaned the brake muck from my wheel I applied Alloy Wax by hand I was actually amazed how the brake dust didnt appear to stick to the alloys and the washing was so easy. I think it cost about £12 for 500ml and I would reccomend it to anyone. Their website is http://www.alloywheelwax.com Hope my first post is of intrest

Stuart

 

[Mike Buley]

Hello Stuart and welcome.
I will get some of that stuff.
Regards.
Mike.

:lol: :lol: