Best wheel cleaner for BMW

Pretty much anything would work, my old BMW used to always get a friendly spray of Hi-Temp wheel cleaner. Just to be on the safe side, I would always spray the wheel off with water which would cut the wheel cleaner I was using. Always worked really well for me.

Imo though, basically any wheel cleaner will work well. If the wheels are bad it's going to take a little elbow grease to knock the job out just right.
 
Noob said:
Thanks for the suggestion.

After I clean the wheels, do I put some of this on a MF cloth and just wipe down the rims/wheels? My wheels are painted alloy, will this be safe?
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Yep... I personally would use one of those yellow applicator pads then you lightly buff off the WA

You can use WA on paint with no problems...
 
I take the wheels off my BMW and clean them thoroughly. Anything will work really. If a cleaner is so strong that it will magically remove all the brake dust with little nothing but spraying it on and water, you may find some nasty unintended consequences such as discoloration of brake calipers. There is no magic bullet.
A dedicated cleaner like Optimum Power Clean 3:1, or Meguiars wheel brightener will work. But it's more the agitation of the proper brushes, and blow drying them with a metro vac that completes the process. Lastly, treat the wheel like paint. strip wheel clean with Iron X or Meguairs Paint Cleaner, Clay, 50:50 IPA, etc. My LSP is actually, armor all wheel protectant. I hate all things armor all, but it works.

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Before:
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AFTER
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wow awesome before and afters gatoman :dblthumb2:
 
I drive a 2009 335i, so I'm all too aware of the issues with BMW's and brake dust. For me, it's been a multi-step process, but I'm able to keep mine very clean.

1. Assuming that they're very dirty to begin with, either Sonax or P21S wheel cleaners. Both are incredibly strong, but safe for German wheels. You should only need to use them initially, assuming that you clean them at least weekly.
2. You'll need a variety of brushes to clean the barrels and calipers. The Daytona's work fine (sold here), but I prefer the Wheel Woolies for weekly cleaning. You'll need multiple sizes to clean behind the calipers. You'll also need a good small brush to clean the lug nuts, as they collect dust like mad.
3. Lastly, as far as sealing, spend the money on either Opti-Coat or CQuartz. I've bought an used Wheel Wax, PB Wheel Sealant, Prima Wheel Armor, Collinite and plenty of other sealants. All work well, but I get too tired of having to reapply them. Three months ago I applied CQuartz, and I've never looked back. Just a quick hit from a pressure washer, and the brake dust is gone. It's expensive, but worth every single penny.

BMW wheels are a pain, but with the right tools and a little time, they're actually easy to keep very nice looking.
 
watermark said:
I drive a 2009 335i, so I'm all too aware of the issues with BMW's and brake dust. For me, it's been a multi-step process, but I'm able to keep mine very clean.

1. Assuming that they're very dirty to begin with, either Sonax or P21S wheel cleaners. Both are incredibly strong, but safe for German wheels. You should only need to use them initially, assuming that you clean them at least weekly.
2. You'll need a variety of brushes to clean the barrels and calipers. The Daytona's work fine (sold here), but I prefer the Wheel Woolies for weekly cleaning. You'll need multiple sizes to clean behind the calipers. You'll also need a good small brush to clean the lug nuts, as they collect dust like mad.
3. Lastly, as far as sealing, spend the money on either Opti-Coat or CQuartz. I've bought an used Wheel Wax, PB Wheel Sealant, Prima Wheel Armor, Collinite and plenty of other sealants. All work well, but I get too tired of having to reapply them. Three months ago I applied CQuartz, and I've never looked back. Just a quick hit from a pressure washer, and the brake dust is gone. It's expensive, but worth every single penny.

BMW wheels are a pain, but with the right tools and a little time, they're actually easy to keep very nice looking.
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This?

CQuartz Ceramic Quartz Paint Protection, CQuartz nano coating, nano paint sealant
 
gatoman39 said:
I looked into this or Opti-Coat. But keep in mind you are still gonna need to pull the wheel off the rim to apply this properly. You can't just apply this to the front of the rim, unless that's all you care about. With a lot of BMW rims, you can see well into the back of the wheel. Most people don't look back there. We are not most people. :buffing:
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Sorry, should have been more specific, pull the wheels and seal the entire thing, otherwise you get nice faces and dirty barrels. If you want to keep your wheels clean, it's worth the time up front.
 
gatoman39 said:
I looked into this or Opti-Coat. But keep in mind you are still gonna need to pull the wheel off the rim to apply this properly. You can't just apply this to the front of the rim, unless that's all you care about. With a lot of BMW rims, you can see well into the back of the wheel. Most people don't look back there. We are not most people. :buffing:
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Until we move into our home, still a few months away, I don't have the methods to take off the wheel and do the work I really would love to do.

So for the time being, what would be the best method to approach this?
 
watermark said:
Sorry, should have been more specific, pull the wheels and seal the entire thing, otherwise you get nice faces and dirty barrels. If you want to keep your wheels clean, it's worth the time up front.
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Yeah, I hear you. No problem for us, but for a lot of people they don't have the space tools or what ever...
Noob said:
Until we move into our home, still a few months away, I don't have the methods to take off the wheel and do the work I really would love to do.

So for the time being, what would be the best method to approach this?
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Clean the wheels are thoroughly as possible with tools and cleaners listed above. Try the armor all wheel protectant and see how you like it. I have been impressed with the results, and like I said, I hate anything armor all, but my buddy with a German car (they all have this brake dust issue) gave me a can, because he knows I have a heart attack if a piece of dust gets on the car. Once the AA sets, you don't need to clean the wheels. I have gone 3 months. You do have to gently wipe the brake dust off with a MF towel, but that's it, no hose, washing,scrubbing.
 
If it's only for a few months, any wheel sealant sold on AG would work, or any sealant for paint that you already own. They'll all make cleaning easier, they just won't last as long as the CQuartz or Opti-Seal.
 
gatoman39 said:
I take the wheels off my BMW and clean them thoroughly. Anything will work really. If a cleaner is so strong that it will magically remove all the brake dust with little nothing but spraying it on and water, you may find some nasty unintended consequences such as discoloration of brake calipers. There is no magic bullet.
A dedicated cleaner like Optimum Power Clean 3:1, or Meguiars wheel brightener will work. But it's more the agitation of the proper brushes, and blow drying them with a metro vac that completes the process. Lastly, treat the wheel like paint. strip wheel clean with Iron X or Meguairs Paint Cleaner, Clay, 50:50 IPA, etc. My LSP is actually, armor all wheel protectant. I hate all things armor all, but it works.

IMG_0490.jpg

Before:
IMG_0923.jpg

IMG_0924.jpg


AFTER
IMG_0929.jpg

IMG_0927.jpg

IMG_0948.jpg
Click to expand...
what beamer do you have? wondering because wanted to know what you use to clean/maintain the chrome exhaust tips?
 
Noob said:
what beamer do you have? wondering because wanted to know what you use to clean/maintain the chrome exhaust tips?
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I would say that the Bimmer is a 2010 330xi?

I have been using megs metal polish or Nevr' Dull then Col #845 on the tips recently it seems to work well...
 
Noob said:
what beamer do you have? wondering because wanted to know what you use to clean/maintain the chrome exhaust tips?
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2011 535i Sport. The exhaust tips tend to get soot on them, so you have to clean them off occasionally. I would clean them first with a waterless wash or quick detailer. Then use Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish polish and a MF towel. Cleans up super easy.

Edit. The tips are not chrome. They are polished stainless steel or aluminum.
IMG_1188-1.jpg
 
gatoman39 said:
2011 535i Sport. The exhaust tips tend to get soot on them, so you have to clean them off occasionally. I would clean them first with a waterless wash or quick detailer. Then use Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish polish and a MF towel. Cleans up super easy.
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Dang the fender marker threw me off... lol... Beautiful car mate!
 
The OEM bmw brake pads do dust a lot, but soap and water will clean them up just fine, other than on perhaps heavily baked on dust.

While a sealant or wax may help, I don't think the effort is worth it on some wheel styles.
 
sensi09 said:
The OEM bmw brake pads do dust a lot, but soap and water will clean them up just fine, other than on perhaps heavily baked on dust.

While a sealant or wax may help, I don't think the effort is worth it on some wheel styles.
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yeah it cleans right up, but then gets dirty the minute you drive it down the street. The Sealants,waxes,etc, don't work. Yes they keep the paint on the wheels protected and makes them easier to clean, no denying that. What makes the Armour all different is that you spray it on like an aerosal spray can so you can get to almost every crack and crevice of the wheel. Secondly it REPELS, anything trying to stick to it. Waxes and sealants don't do this.
[video=youtube_share;05Lv2xfLzzU&feature=related] - ‪Armor All Wheel Protectant Mud test‬‏[/video]
[video=youtube_share;0DEJ3Tzd73c&feature=related] - ‪Armor All Wheel Protectant- Brake Dust Test‬‏[/video]
[video=youtube_share;jK2LsZJ2brg] - ‪Armor All Wheel Protectant Test on an Aston Martin‬‏[/video]
 
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