Keeping the alloys clean

[jberks]

Hi all,
This is probably obvious to some of you, but as it hadn't dawned on me until now, I thought I'd mention it. Every week I have a battle, trying to clean up the alloys . Until now I have been using Wonder wheels which has done a reasonable job of removing the black spots, grime and that yellow tint they tend to get.

However, the finish of the wheels is beginning to suffer, looking dull and oxidised and I have been concerned that effectively putting strong acid on them each week, can't be doing much good.

I was considering sending them off for a professional cleanup, but then it hit me, The alloys are really just pained and laquered metal - just like the bodywork - and you wouldn't put acid on the paintwork would you!
We get sucked into the idea that wheels are somehow special and different.

So on that theory, I attacked one wheel with ordinary tcut and polish. Long story short, I now have 4 gleaming wheels looking like new, and with a slippery non stick wax finish.

Looking on the internet, there are loads of products specifically for this job, though I have never seen anything in the shops for some reason. Anyone recommend anything specific?

 

[jules335500]

i use tht every week too with gr8 results but i also use wd40 to clean the grime but being careful of the brake discs.wd40 removed almost everything

 

[SLinKyjoe]

polishe them with wax...as they are not gonna be seen that often and tend to get mucky quick use cheap stuff...of turtle wax brake dust barrier.....doesn take that long to put on but will stop the brake dust gripping to the surface of the wheel...you should then find that normal washing, as long as you use a sponge or something, will bring them up clean.

i only use wonder wheels on serioulsy baked on stuff that has been on for a long time.....usually after the winter....if i really get my act together, i take the wheels off, give them a really good clean then polish them up....

but i havent this time....car is only 5 months old at mo anyway.


and its raining today...

 

[LANDR0VER]

Have a look at this product mate....works really well and easy to use. http://www.supagard.co.uk/supawheels.htm

 

[peterchurch]

Johsons baby wipes cut through brake dust like nothing I have ever seen
God only knows what they are really doing to my sons bum
But they are cheaper than all these wheel cleaners and non abrasive
(although they might have made my mr2 wheels bubble )

 

[philharve]

Hi jberks

I used the alloy cleaning product you mentioned on my Celica wheels and it did an amazing job but it required a lot of elbow grease. However, I would NOT use this product on my nice MB alloys which are obviously coated. I'm not sure with what but it doesn't look like paint.

Wonder Wheels is mildly acidic and would, over a period of time, remove the coating. This didn't matter a jot on my Celica because the wheels were uncoated.

I found it necessary to apply a polish to the wheels after cleaning because Wonder Wheels tended to produce a matt finish. I suppose this was due to the etching process.

Wonder Wheels was great at removing the black sooty deposits that formed on the surface of the alloys. However, I had to resort to fine grade steel wool to remove the really stubborn deposits once in a while. Domestic scouring pads, like that used on older-style oven before they became self-cleaning, proved quite effective.

Remember to use gloves with steel wool because it can break up and piece the skin like a splitter. Very painful.

I've heard of the product LANDROVER mentions but have never used it. The last time I cleaned my alloys I used Autoglym which is a shampoo for alloys. It did a good job and required very little effort. The dirt, dust and grime just fell off. It's not acidic or abrasive and leaves a smooth shine like a polish.

I'm willing to give any product a try and Supagard has been around a while. I might give it a try but I haven't seen it in my local auto factors in a while.

REGARDS Phil