Kleen Wheels

[fwb44]

Kleen Wheels anti-brake-dust alloy wheel shields. Anyone got them? Are they any good?

 

[television]

Kleen Wheels anti-brake-dust alloy wheel shields. Anyone got them? Are they any good?

These were around years ago, and abanoned as the made the wheels out of balance.

Malcolm

 

[jberks]

Can't be too good for brake cooling either!

 

[clive williams]

Can't be too good for brake cooling either!

A Malcom says, they've been around for years and fell out of favour because of the effect on brake cooling. Bearing in mind most modern cars are striving for aerodynamic efficiency, airflow to the brakes is often comprmised and they become reliant on the temperature tolerence of the pads/discs. It doesn't need any more compromises.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[television]

Interesting point I have seen new car's awaiting shipment with these things on. Either MB or Volvo.

Malcolm

 

[clive williams]

Interesting point I have seen new car's awaiting shipment with these things on. Either MB or Volvo.

Malcolm

Malcom, thats probably because they don't want the public seeing the state of the discs before its PDI'd. Or, officially to stop the accumulation of muck and dirt on the brakes prior to sale.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[fwb44]

Crikey, are they really that bad? You wouldn't think so (natch) from their website: www.kleenwheels.co.uk. Being about to take delivery of a newish E320 CDI which is immaculate in every respect I thought they might help to keep the grime off the alloys ... perhaps I'm just looking for a short cut to cleaning the wheels properly myself every week though ... :-(

 

[television]

Crikey, are they really that bad? You wouldn't think so (natch) from their website: www.kleenwheels.co.uk. Being about to take delivery of a newish E320 CDI which is immaculate in every respect I thought they might help to keep the grime off the alloys ... perhaps I'm just looking for a short cut to cleaning the wheels properly myself every week though ... :-(

What ever you do, don't use wheel cleaner, it will kill the wheels in no time.
Why not use what I do, Green stuff Pads on the front, any dust slight just hoses off.

Malcolm

 

[fwb44]

Why not use what I do, Green stuff Pads on the front

You mean like those kitchen pads I clean my non-stick saucepans with? (I'd make someone a lovely wife)

 

[jberks]

Crikey, are they really that bad? You wouldn't think so (natch) from their website: www.kleenwheels.co.uk. Being about to take delivery of a newish E320 CDI which is immaculate in every respect I thought they might help to keep the grime off the alloys ... perhaps I'm just looking for a short cut to cleaning the wheels properly myself every week though ... :-(

No shortcuts I'm afraid. Get yourself some wheel wax and give them a good going over. It will need topping up every few months but that and an occasional clean up with wonder wheels (not too often though) works wonders. If they really get bad, Tcut and then re-wax.
No alternative to elbow grease I'm afraid, but then its a labour of love!
(see below - you couldn't tell they do 600 miles a week in all the salt and muck!)

Looking at their website, they appear to make your lovely expensive alloys look like cheap wheel trims into the bargain!
The polimer stuff looks interesting though.

 

[television]

You mean like those kitchen pads I clean my non-stick saucepans with? (I'd make someone a lovely wife)

Green stuff is a brand of brake pads, marketed by,
http://www.ebcbrakes.com/Automotive.html

Please don't clean them with kitchen scouring pads. and do whe Jberks says.

Malcolm

 

[clive williams]

What ever you do, don't use wheel cleaner, it will kill the wheels in no time.
Why not use what I do, Green stuff Pads on the front, any dust slight just hoses off.

Malcolm

I agree to a point with Malcolm, most wheel cleaners are based on an acidic mix, which is problematic with alloy and more importantly with the wheel bolts that stick out through the hub. Thats why you should not use the wheel cleaner offered at car washes.

I can however, thoroughly recommend Muck Off which is very effective with brake dust and has no effect on alloy or ferrous parts. I now use it on every (infrequent) car wash.

There are complimentary products to prevent brake dust sticking but this would need to be applied with wheels off the car as the spokes will need doing from the back.

A combination of wheel 'wax' and Muck Off would IMHO be very effective.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

Malcolm, just think Green Stuff Scouring Pads would keep the discs brilliantly clean!!

 

[fwb44]

Green stuff is a brand of brake pads, marketed by,
http://www.ebcbrakes.com/Automotive.html

Thanks for all the advice, Kleen Wheels def. seems like a no-no, once again this forum has proved its worth in more ways than one.

Scouring pads on the leather upholstery anyone?? ;-)

 

[television]

I agree to a point with Malcolm, most wheel cleaners are based on an acidic mix, which is problematic with alloy and more importantly with the wheel bolts that stick out through the hub. Thats why you should not use the wheel cleaner offered at car washes.

I can however, thoroughly recommend Muck Off which is very effective with brake dust and has no effect on alloy or ferrous parts. I now use it on every (infrequent) car wash.

There are complimentary products to prevent brake dust sticking but this would need to be applied with wheels off the car as the spokes will need doing from the back.

A combination of wheel 'wax' and Muck Off would IMHO be very effective.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

Malcolm, just think Green Stuff Scouring Pads would keep the discs brilliantly clean!!

That's an interesting point Clive about car washes, I had not thought of that,
Who is in the Crown Inn, Ibstock these days.


malcolm

 

[davebox]

I was in the crown, west end, Abercarn tonight and also The crown, Pontllanfraith a few weeks back - strange how pubs are named the same country wide.

Back to the wheels though, I have always used wheel cleaning solutions, the trick is to apply enough to clean using a spray and a paint brush then wash with clean water (I do not let the stuff stay on for long, cleaning each wheel one at a time). But from time to time the brake dust needs to be removed with T-Cut and elbow grease. Just the way it is. Reminds me, I have not done mine for a while - still I dont think it'll make the value increase when I talk to mercedes on friday about changing it. :sad:

 

[fwb44]

Why not use what I do, Green Stuff pads on the front, any dust slight just hoses off - Malcolm

Best advice received so far, now got to train local indy to order up said pads. Learning curve time!

 

[nigelstgeorge]

Problems with Kleen Wheels

I used Kleen wheels on a W210 2002 E320 Cdi estate and although they worked I took the car in for a service and was shocked to find my brake pads had roasted. The garage were emphatic that it was lack of cooling to the pads due to the Kleen wheel trims.

 

[television]

They are still widely advertised on Benzworld