Drying issues, and brake dust on wheels

[jmillar82]

Hi guys,

My Mercedes C200 is a week old and I cleaned it today for the first time using the following method:
- Spray Sonax full effect wheel cleaner on wheels, and spray car with foam cannon (on dry car - don't rinse first) (CT-18)
- Use wheel brush to clean wheels
- Rinse car + wheels with pressure cleaner
- Two bucket method, then pressure cleaner rinse again
- Use leaf blower to dry car

The leaf blower didn't seem to blow the water much. And when I drove it back to a friend's place 10 minutes later, I realised I have the water drying marks on the sunroof.

Questions:
1) Are these marks made from water staying there and taking too long to dry? Should I have used a chamois (I hate doing this!)
2) I've got a bottle of Hydro2 on its way which should make the water drops bead... Will this fix my issue?
3) The wheels get very dirty very fast from brake dust. Is there anything you can do to stop this form happening so quickly (ie a wheel protectant?) or is it just a fact of life?

Cheers

 

[Billy Baldone]

Yes Hydro will help. And i recommend a wheel coating. I use coating not available at AG, but they have many top notch wherl coating to choose from. It wont stop the brake dust, but it will make it easier to wash off

 

[TTQ B4U]

Brake dust from factory cars is often a PIA. When you change the brakes there are better pads that will eliminate that from being an issue.

 

[Eldorado2k]

After you rinse the car off, do a final sheeting rinse. [look it up]
Don't attempt to dry off the whole car with just a leaf blower. Get yourself at least a couple nice drying towels [i.e. Cobra waffle weaves]
Armor All Wheel Protectant seems to be what you're looking for.

 

[briarpatch]

And...get yourself a Griots PFM drying towel......sold right here on Autogeek.....lots of threads here about them......IMO...one of the best (if not the best) drying towels available

 

[RonAlv]

And...get yourself a Griots PFM drying towel......sold right here on Autogeek.....lots of threads here about them......IMO...one of the best (if not the best) drying towels available

+1 for the Griots PFM drying towl. The 16x16 PFM towel does well. You will not be disappointed. How I dry my vehicles's...

Jelly Blade
Griots PFM 16x16 Drying towel
Then I go back with a blower, and another 16x16 PFM drying towel to dry any missed water droplets that will you get from the mirrors or door handles.

I have found this this method works best for me. I used to use a chamios, but noticed it would leave residue behind.

 

[suf420]

Hi guys,

My Mercedes C200 is a week old and I cleaned it today for the first time using the following method:
- Spray Sonax full effect wheel cleaner on wheels, and spray car with foam cannon (on dry car - don't rinse first) (CT-18)
- Use wheel brush to clean wheels
- Rinse car + wheels with pressure cleaner
- Two bucket method, then pressure cleaner rinse again
- Use leaf blower to dry car

The leaf blower didn't seem to blow the water much. And when I drove it back to a friend's place 10 minutes later, I realised I have the water drying marks on the sunroof.

Questions:
1) Are these marks made from water staying there and taking too long to dry? Should I have used a chamois (I hate doing this!)
2) I've got a bottle of Hydro2 on its way which should make the water drops bead... Will this fix my issue?
3) The wheels get very dirty very fast from brake dust. Is there anything you can do to stop this form happening so quickly (ie a wheel protectant?) or is it just a fact of life?

Cheers

With regards to the alloys, I always polish them win a dedicated metal polish, Autosol is the best IMHO

Then apply Poorboys Wheel Sealant (Smells of Bubblegum )

It will protect your wheels for weeks if not months and with every wash dirt will just rinse off without agitating.

If there is more aggressive build up then I suggest getting some Poorboys Spray and Rinse wheel cleaner, but beware it is extremely strong (think acid) don't use it on the centre wheel caps and don't wear your best clothes and remove any jewellery/watches whilst using.

I had some drop on my rose gold Rolex and it discoloured the bracelet

But yes these are the best methods I have tried personally for years and have always done a stellar job in preserving and keeping my wheels as new.

Here are some pictures.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Eldorado2k]

With regards to the alloys, I always polish them win a dedicated metal polish, Autosol is the best IMHO

Then apply Poorboys Wheel Sealant (Smells of Bubblegum )

It will protect your wheels for weeks if not months and with every wash dirt will just rinse off without agitating.

If there is more aggressive build up then I suggest getting some Poorboys Spray and Rinse wheel cleaner, but beware it is extremely strong (think acid) don't use it on the centre wheel caps and don't wear your best clothes and remove any jewellery/watches whilst using.

I had some drop on my rose gold Rolex and it discoloured the bracelet

But yes these are the best methods I have tried personally for years and have always done a stellar job in preserving and keeping my wheels as new.

Here are some pictures.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Are those wheels bare metal or factory clearcoated?

 

[FUNX650]

With regards to the alloys,

I always polish them win a
dedicated metal polish,
Autosol is the best IMHO

Then apply Poorboys Wheel Sealant
(Smells of Bubblegum )

If there is more aggressive build up
then I suggest getting some Poorboys
Spray and Rinse wheel cleaner...

...these are the best methods I have tried
personally for years and have always done
a stellar job in preserving and keeping my
wheels as new.

^^^ Yep...nice regimen: ^^^
wheels look nice. rops:


But, wait...what's this,
that my eyes now behold:

Bob

 

[pheerix]

I'm pretty OCD but never really understood the need for pristine wheel wells. Gets dirty the instant you drive the car. I guess if there was road paint or roadkill there or something.

 

[suf420]

^^^ Yep...nice regimen: ^^^
wheels look nice. rops:


But, wait...what's this,
that my eyes now behold:

Bob

Yes bob, has caught my eye a few times! Didn't give the arches a good scrub!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[osiapstndp]

But, wait...what's this,
that my eyes now behold:

Bob[/QUOTE]

When I saw this picture all I could focus on was the wheel well. It's funny how we think - even though the rest of the wheelwork looked great, I stared, without effort, only at the "dirty" spots. You did a great job with the sidewall and wheel.

A lot of customers wouldn't notice, or even know how to notice, a dirty wheel well.

 

[FUNX650]

Yes bob, has caught my eye a few times!
Didn't give the arches a good scrub!

Thanks for your joie de vivre! :cheers:


{And... :welcome: ...to AGO!}


Bob

 

[FUNX650]

I'm pretty OCD but never really
understood the need for pristine
wheel wells. Gets dirty the instant
you drive the car.

I guess if there was road paint
or roadkill there or something.

True...but:

What if it's "glamour shots" that
are being submitted...
Shouldn't their overall aesthetics
also be taken into consideration?:

Or:

Bob

 

[Rsurfer]

I'm pretty OCD but never really understood the need for pristine wheel wells. Gets dirty the instant you drive the car. I guess if there was road paint or roadkill there or something.

If you are truly OCD, do you clean behind of your spokes?

 

[suf420]

But, wait...what's this,
that my eyes now behold:

Bob

When I saw this picture all I could focus on was the wheel well. It's funny how we think - even though the rest of the wheelwork looked great, I stared, without effort, only at the "dirty" spots. You did a great job with the sidewall and wheel.

A lot of customers wouldn't notice, or even know how to notice, a dirty wheel well.[/QUOTE]

Haha, Bob unfortunately don't do this for a living as yet, it's my car and I'm still learning.

Thank you for the welcome, much appreciated!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pheerix]

True...but:

What if it's "glamour shots" that
are being submitted...
Shouldn't their overall aesthetics
also be taken into consideration?:

Or:

Bob

Eh you can't see most the car in the first pic anyway.

 

[FUNX650]

Eh you can't see most the car in the first pic anyway.

Eh...See:
It is Aesthetics after all!!


Bob

 

[swanicyouth]

Bob, is that you and your bride? I don't get it...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[jmillar82]

With regards to the alloys, I always polish them win a dedicated metal polish, Autosol is the best IMHO

Then apply Poorboys Wheel Sealant (Smells of Bubblegum )

It will protect your wheels for weeks if not months and with every wash dirt will just rinse off without agitating.

Wow, this is exactly what I need!! I just did some reading on it and sounds great! I've just ordered some

Just wondering the best way to apply it and how long it lasts? Cheers