Wax/sealant removal on matte finish wheels

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n7plus1

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I got a new set of Work CR Ultimate's in matte bronze last spring. I promptly added 2 layers of OLD Poorboys wheel sealant so I think maybe that be a part of the problem to begin with. I think I purchased it back in 2005/6. I could never quite buff off all out before i ended up getting the tires installed and mounted the wheels on the car. I figured I'd tackle it before spring hit the next year. Fast forward to now, I grabbed a wheel and threw it in the tub and started scrubbing it down with Dawn and an MF rag. Yet, the wax continues to prevail. I dried the wheel and then followed it up with another MF rag with 91% isopropyl rubbing alcohol. This kind of works. You still need to give it some elbow grease and requires a lot of scrubbing. The barrel of the wheel is worse where the sealant is sitting in machining lines.

I need some advice here to get this crap out of the finish without hurting the finish at all. Please help!

Pics for clicks:

View attachment 55451

View attachment 55452
 
Nice wheels...


55451d1488769152-wax-sealant-removal-matte-finish-wheels-img_20160410_150854.jpg




I've been impressed with this product for removing old dried wax and sealant...


Try the little bottle and if it works there's a larger size...


McKee's 37 Wax Remover for Plastic removes dried on wax from plastic rubber vinyl trim

McKee's 37 Wax Remover for Plastic 16 oz.



Besides that experimentation is the only option...



:)
 
Acetone on the barrels will make quick work of removing all that Wax.

Just use a little on a rag and wipe quickly do not let it sit or pour it on the rim.
 
Nice wheels. But damn that blue on the car really looks great, sweet looking ride!
 
Mike Phillips said:
Nice wheels...


55451d1488769152-wax-sealant-removal-matte-finish-wheels-img_20160410_150854.jpg




I've been impressed with this product for removing old dried wax and sealant...


Try the little bottle and if it works there's a larger size...


McKee's 37 Wax Remover for Plastic removes dried on wax from plastic rubber vinyl trim

McKee's 37 Wax Remover for Plastic 16 oz.



Besides that experimentation is the only option...



:)
Click to expand...

Thank you and awesome, I'll look into that. Thanks Mike!

Dave.0 said:
Acetone on the barrels will make quick work of removing all that Wax.

Just use a little on a rag and wipe quickly do not let it sit or pour it on the rim.
Click to expand...

I'd be afraid to use acetone on these wheels. They weren't exactly cheap.

Hammer77 said:
Nice wheels. But damn that blue on the car really looks great, sweet looking ride!
Click to expand...

Thanks man! The picture kind've sucks...a bit too dark.
 
" I'd be afraid to use acetone on these wheels. They weren't exactly cheap."

I have used Acetone on $1,000.00 per rim HRE wheels it will not hurt them.

Remember it just wiping down the barrels to strip off old sealant and wax NOT soaking them in Acetone.
 
Dave.0 said:
Acetone on the barrels will make quick work of removing all that Wax.

Just use a little on a rag and wipe quickly do not let it sit or pour it on the rim.
Click to expand...

Dave.0 said:
" I'd be afraid to use acetone on these wheels. They weren't exactly cheap."

I have used Acetone on $1,000.00 per rim HRE wheels it will not hurt them.

Remember it just wiping down the barrels to strip off old sealant and wax NOT soaking them in Acetone.
Click to expand...

I too would be very careful with acetone. I'm not saying that I wouldn't do it but I'd certainly be very cautious. There are less aggressive solvents that I'd try first... I'd recommend solvents in this order (least aggressive to most aggressive) - Mineral Spirits/Paint Thinner, Enamel Reducer, Lacquer Thinner, Acetone.

Just like paint correction, a "best practice" is to always use the least aggressive process that will give the results you desire. Additionally, a test spot would also be in my plan.

In the OP's case, I see starting with acetone akin to cleaning chrome with steel wool... Both of which would make me cringe.
 
Ok then if your scared buy a dog to protect you. lol

Step up or start rubbing your wheels down for 3 months with 91% isopropyl rubbing alcohol.

I use the most effective product first and I am giving you my tested advice first. I have done this on factory wheels, HRE, BBS, 949 and many others.

Use a small test spot and you will see.

I am not telling you to soak the towel or rim in Acetone. Just put a little on a rang and test a small section on the inside of the barrel.
 
Yes but you have something in between the paint that you need to remove.

Just use a little and wipe. Remember you are not trying to polish or cut paint you are trying to remove a thin layer of sealant / wax.

You are only working on removing the top layer of crud on your rims. That is why you are wiping Not Rubbing.
 
n7plus1 said:
Isn't that stuff made to clean up paint?
Click to expand...

That is only one of it's uses. And even then, it's only used to clean-up brushes and other tools of oil-based paints before they are cured or to thin out such paints. Once oil-based paints are fully cured mineral spirits will have little effect on them.

Automotive finishes are not what one would consider an oil-based paint. Once dry, and even more so when fully cured, automotive finishes are pretty much impervious to mineral spirits and that's why it's a good choice for your problem. It will dissolve the wax residues while having no effect on the wheel's finish. Another benefit is that mineral spirits provides a fairly long working time before it evaporates.
 
Wouldn't those be powder coated?

If so then maybe someone can chime in that has experience cleaning wax off powder coatings vs paint ( 2 different coatings).

I see very little info on dealing with powder coats so maybe they are the same as paint?
 
I dont think theyre powder coated. The problem with wiping vs. rubbing is that you cant just wipe them off. The matte finish invites you to scrub into it. Much different than just wiping down a gloss finish.
 
Just as a follow-up, I tried a few things i had sitting around including WD-40 and another dawn bath to remove the wd-40 - to no avail. I grabbed my bottle of Poorboys Professional Polish and noticed the back of it said about remove previous applications....so I worked that into the wheels and low and behold...it removed it. I followed that up with a coat of Natty's blue and quickly removed and no wax residue.

It mustve been something to do with how old the poorboys wheel sealant was, how long I let it sit or a combination of the 2.
 
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