Wheel Cleaning: Desperate Measure

[Nick M3]

I have a <5,000 mile set of OZ Superleggeras that, in my first use, I basically destroyed with track pad dust:




Needless to say, that made me kind of cranky. My intent is to use these for summer tires, so I've been looking at getting them refinished. Thankfully, it's only two wheels, so it wouldn't be *that* expensive. Of course, when you are ready to have them painted, that opens up a whole new field of options: like going to down with "full strength" muriatic acid. For dust that wheel brightener and a ton of elbow grease wouldn't touch, here is the result of ten minutes of scrubbing with a paint chip brush:




I'd call that a 98% improvement. I decided that the diminishing returns of continuing to work at the wheels were probably outweighed by the risk of letting the hydrochloric acid solution sit on them any longer.

So, here is a possibility for when you are absolutely, utterly desperate.

[FC]

Surprisingly effective! Sounds like a shitty Sunday chore.

[blee]

So what's the latest word on wheel cleaners? Is Sonax all it seems to be?

[rumatt]

I'm tried Meguiars wheel brightener and it didn't work?

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by blee

So what's the latest word on wheel cleaners? Is Sonax all it seems to be?

Sonax is, well, not what it's cracked up to be. It is a good cleaner, and it'll help remove minor, mostly invisible iron fragments that collectively dull the finish of the wheel. It's not that good at actually cleaning wheels, particularly given the cost. My cheap go to is Spray Nine. It's also good at attacking cosmoline, fwiw.

The reality, though is that every wheel cleaner has its limits. Most of the time, I just use car wash soap after I'm done with the rest of the car. Nothing lets me get away without actually doing some scrubbing. What really makes a difference is the boar's hair wheel cleaning brush.

Wheel Brightener is a fantastic occasional use cleaner. And apparently, muriatic acid is a decent last ditch option.

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by rumatt

I'm tried Meguiars wheel brightener and it didn't work?

The before picture is after scrubbing with a clay bar, wheel brighter, spray nine, numerous other chemicals, and even some chiseling with a screwdriver.

[Plaz]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

even some chiseling with a screwdriver.

[Terri Kennedy]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

The reality, though is that every wheel cleaner has its limits. Most of the time, I just use car wash soap after I'm done with the rest of the car. Nothing lets me get away without actually doing some scrubbing. What really makes a difference is the boar's hair wheel cleaning brush.

I've been very happy with the BMW wheel cleaner and set of wheel brushes. In addition to 2 sets of Type 73's for the wagon, I also use it on the Team Dynamics race wheels on the Atom.

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by Terry Kennedy

I've been very happy with the BMW wheel cleaner and set of wheel brushes. In addition to 2 sets of Type 73's for the wagon, I also use it on the Team Dynamics race wheels on the Atom.

I tried the BMW wheel brushes and found them really unpleasant to use.

This is what I've found most effective for all my various wheels:
http://www.amazon.com/Montana-Origin...sim_sbs_auto_4

[Terri Kennedy]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

I tried the BMW wheel brushes and found them really unpleasant to use.

It's possible they "cost engineered" them down since I bought mine.

This is what I've found most effective for all my various wheels:
http://www.amazon.com/Montana-Origin...sim_sbs_auto_4

That won't work on Type 73's