11-18-2012, 02:27 PM | #1 |
Relic
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Bethesda, MD
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Wheel Cleaning: Desperate Measure
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.
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2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo |
11-18-2012, 11:15 PM | #2 |
Solving problems
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Surprisingly effective! Sounds like a shitty Sunday chore.
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11-19-2012, 01:05 PM | #3 |
Doctor Mudgeon
Join Date: Oct 2003
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So what's the latest word on wheel cleaners? Is Sonax all it seems to be?
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11-19-2012, 01:31 PM | #4 |
Mugwump
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I'm tried Meguiars wheel brightener and it didn't work?
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11-19-2012, 01:48 PM | #5 | |
Relic
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Quote:
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.
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2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo |
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11-19-2012, 01:49 PM | #6 |
Relic
Join Date: Oct 2003
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The before picture is after scrubbing with a clay bar, wheel brighter, spray nine, numerous other chemicals, and even some chiseling with a screwdriver.
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2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo |
11-19-2012, 02:36 PM | #7 |
•••••••
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11-19-2012, 09:19 PM | #8 | |
There and back again
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11-19-2012, 09:23 PM | #9 | |
Relic
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Quote:
This is what I've found most effective for all my various wheels: http://www.amazon.com/Montana-Origin...sim_sbs_auto_4
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2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo |
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11-19-2012, 09:26 PM | #10 | ||
There and back again
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