I can't get these wheels clean

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Detail

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Hey guys,
I have a customer/friend of mine with a G35 that I recently cleaned up. I absolutely tried everything I could to get his custom wheels cleaned, and flat out failed. They should be worth about $3600 new but one look at these puppies and you'll see why he was able to pick them up for less than a third of that. The wheels are coated for sure. So my research says I should treat the lip and rim just as I would paint. I tried multiple cleaners but didn't find any polish that would "restore" its normal brilliance.

Thoughts? Product ideas?

Pictures:
033.jpg


034.jpg


I asked my friend to remove the wheels and leave them with me for a while. But before I snag them I need to have a plan of action on how to get them looking right.

Here is what they should look like:

Super ADVAN Racing Ver. 2
 
No I haven't tried that. Have only used otc wheel cleaners on them. Sonax isn't available otc that I know of. Maybe someone in Atlanta sells it and I could just grab some?

But clearly there is some polishing needed. The previous owner never cleaned the wheels at all. There is layers of build up brake dust and slung molten brake dust. Not sure if Sonax is going to break that stuff down.
 
Detail said:
No I haven't tried that. Have only used otc wheel cleaners on them. Sonax isn't available otc that I know of. Maybe someone in Atlanta sells it and I could just grab some?

But clearly there is some polishing needed. The previous owner never cleaned the wheels at all. There is layers of build up brake dust and slung molten brake dust. Not sure if Sonax is going to break that stuff down.
Click to expand...

Sonax is similar in performance to Aquartz Iron Cut, at least, that's what I believe. They both smell terrible like rotten eggs, and both turn red on contact with certain metal particles. The difference that I can see is that Iron Cut was intended for paint because it is a thin spray and Sonax Full Effect was obviously intended for wheels as it goes on as a thick, green, visible gel that then turns red on contact with metal particles.

You would be extremely surprised at whatever this magical chemical can remove while being completely safe on wheels. It removed iron particles out of my pain that heavy claying, compounding, and an acidic/basic decontaminating solution couldn't get rid of.

What exactly are the rims made of? Is it just brake dust build up that you're wishing to get rid of? If so, something like Sonax Full Effect or Meg's Wheel Brightener (Acid based) should be able to get rid of it with the use of a stiff bristled brush. I like the Sonax Full Effect because it's PH Neutral and isn't any more harmful on your paint/wheels than water is. (How they did that, I honestly have no clue. It probably has to do with the absolutely terrible smell.)

I can't exactly tell from the photos, but if you're looking to get rid of scratches it's going to depend entirely upon the metal these wheels are made of. Some metals are harder than others and it's a pain to polish them yourself by hand to get rid of heavy scratches.

Oh and if your'e looking for the Sonax, why not order from Autogeek? I ALWAYS get my order 2 days later with only UPS ground shipping (I'm located near Athens, GA). But I have recently talked to Mirrror Detailing (another member of this forum) and he reported 4-5 days as he lives in Atlanta.
 
I posted the link to the manufacturer so we could see what they were made of. They are aluminum and they are coated. IE, no metal polish is going to fix this. I've tried some Klasse AIO with the power ball as well as trying to smash my porter cable in there. It BARELY touched the mess. I'm afraid to put anything acidic on an $800 wheel.

Can you see the back of the wheel? Do you see all the "rust" look to it. Crazy condition of these wheels. And its shame cause 3 spoke are SUPER easy to clean. Previous owner sucked at life.

Another shot:
0351.jpg
 
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Detail said:
I posted the link to the manufacturer so we could see what they were made of. They are aluminum and they are coated. IE, no metal polish is going to fix this. I've tried some Klasse AIO with the power ball as well as trying to smash my porter cable in there. It BARELY touched the mess. I'm afraid to put anything acidic on an $800 wheel.

Can you see the back of the wheel? Do you see all the "rust" look to it. Crazy condition of these wheels. And its shame cause 3 spoke are SUPER easy to clean. Previous owner sucked at life.
Click to expand...

You'll want to stay away from Meg's Wheel Brightener then. In your case, I definitely suggest using Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner.
 
P21S wheel gel cleaner and a can of neverdull maybe?
That always did the trick for me when i had rims with a clear coated lip (Don't use neverdull on a lip that's not clear coated though, it hazes up the finish)
 
Wheel Cleaner -- P21S, Sonax, or Griots
Polishes --- Use paint polishes like Menzerna or Megs or Optimum
Sealants -- DP or Poorboys Sealant , use Spray Wax/Detail Spray Weekly

you are gonna find that some clearcoated metal wheels always have a bit of a milky look, its in the clearcoat. Stand back 10 feet as this is what most see .... is it clean ?? Wet ???
 
Killrwheels, thanks for the suggestions. The wheel pictured has already been cleaed. You see the "back" of the wheel? Do you see how tarnished that is? How in the world am I going to get that off? I have to do the full wheel. With the super open design you can see straight through. I'll pull the trigger on the sonax but after that I'm going to have to polish.
 
aluminum doesn't rust....if thats rust on the inside of the wheels its probably from brake pads that wore down to metal and ate the brake rotor. I've seen this on wheels before and have not had any luck getting it out of the finish....it kinda imbeds itself into the wheel (especially clear coated wheels) remember when it lands on the rim it is very hot. Clear coated rims can be sanded and re-cleared but from the looks of the spoke it looks like it will be real difficult to do. try using "0000" steel wool with flitz or mothers on the back side of the rim if thats what your trying to clean.....otherwise good luck
 
After using a wheel cleaner like P21S or Sonax, I would try polishing with m105/m205(maybe clay them before polishing). For places you can't reach with your da or power ball, I've had good luck cutting up old foam cutting/polishing pads and using them by hand.
 
Try M205 by hand. When I had old Advan RG M205 did the trick to get them cleaned up.
 
Good comments. Many thanks. Okay. I like the idea of the steel wool and mothers. I'll give that a shot on the backs. As for the fronts you are correct. They are rocking some hard core hot brake dust that not only damaged and pitted the wheel but then never got cleaned off. Really stinks when you think about it. I've never used M205...heading off to look that up.
 
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