Can anything get this off my wheels?

[Boss Detailer]

Sorry to see your dilemma brother. Based on what I see in the picture, looks more like excessive accumulation of brake dust as a result of allowing it to stay on the wheels too long...
At this stage if the finish is already pitted and you're able to remove the brake dust, there may still
be signs of damage to the wheels.
What I suggest in this situation is testing a small amount of diluted wheel acid on an affected area and see if that brings you success. "BUT", make sure wheels are cool, put on rubber gloves, rince with water, drape white Terry cotton towel over your index finger and spray diluted acid onto the towel (NOT THE WHEEL), rub it onto the affected area, rince again, dry and inspect your results. If all good and you like what you see, GO FORTH AND PROCEED YOUNG MAN!
Also just a tip... there are some amazing protecive car care products in this industry, whether addressing wheels, paint, leather, etcetera. Every product requires reasonable maintenance in order for it to perform as it's designed to do.
All the best my friend and let us know how it all works out.


Sent from my LGMS631 using Autogeekonline mobile app

 

[MarkF150]

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll probably try one more non acidic approach before trying that route.

And yeah, looking back I definitely should have hit these wheels with a cleaner more regularly, the rest of the truck is mint but it doesn't go through the same punishment that wheels go through I suppose. That pic is with the flash on so it looks a lot worse in there then in regular lighting, which is why I didn't notice until I did a proper cleaning of them.

I'll keep this post updated after I try some more products

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I bought these wheels about 2 years ago. I immediately had them opti-coated after they were put on the truck, and all was well.

Full disclosure, I rarely hand wash these wheels its usually just the automated washes which is how it got this bad to begin with I gather. Ive been off roading a few times and while I always pressure wash the dirt off after I think this is some dirt/brake dust thats been baked onto the finish.

The pictures shows what looks like some kind of crud or particles bonded to the tighter, curved portion of the wheel design.

Have you tried rubbing some type of paint cleaner or polish to these areas by hand?

If they are aluminum/aluminum alloy (which to me, from the pic it looks like they are, and looks like aluminum oxidation/pitting), then nothing is really gonna touch that.

If it is pitting I agree but it looks like something "on" the paint not pitting "in" the paint?

They look like above surface deposits.

My go to would be wheel brighter.

Without scratching see if you can flake off a piece with your nail.

I agree with Jeff, try rubbing the crud off by hand...

I'll keep this post updated after I try some more products

If you are able to get them cleaned up, check out GTechniq C5 Wheel Armor and then after application "do" wash them with a Wheel Woolies Black Wheel Face Brush or some Wheel Woolies.


The key to wheels is to keep them clean with a regular maintenance wash.