Fuzzy Wheel Well Liners

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adanmtxt1

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My old Audi had smooth wheel well liners which didn't accumulate debris and were extremely easy to clean. Not so with my W204. Mercedes-Benz decided to use this fuzzy fabric-like material to which leaves, dirt, and other material seem to stick like glue. I literally could not get them clean today.


What are the implications of removing the liners? Could I remove them and simply clean the interior side of the fenders and any componentry directly? Whatever's under there would have to cope with salt, snow, and grime associated with Chicago weather, but I could protect that with some polymer sealants or other coatings.
 
My experience with the felt (?) type liners is that they're easier to clean and don't need to be dressed. I took my ride off-roading in mud and the liners cleaned easily with a couple swipes with a fender brush.
 
I find it's best to go over them dry with a somewhat stiff bristled brush while they are dry. A lot of manufacturers use them now and they suck to clean.

I wouldn't remove them from the car though. They use this material for better sound deadening.
 
Can you post pics? I'm curious to see these. I've never had a car with them :-)
 
I don't like them because they don't have a "clean" look to them like the smooth liners do.
 
My wifes Camry has them. The easiest/most thorough way I have found to clean them is with a pressure washer. At first I didn't like them but now I do. I find them easier to clean and keep clean than plastic liners.
 
Daviddear30 said:
Can you post pics? I'm curious to see these. I've never had a car with them :-)
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This is the only pic I have of them on my Optima. Here they were after Hurricane Sandy and why I hate them. Leaves love to stick to them.

IMAG0500.jpg
 
They are to make the car more quiet. Let me know how you clean the I have some customers that have the same
 
This is when I find it necessary to have a pressure washer. Also in engine bays
 
BrianMcLeod said:
They are to make the car more quiet. Let me know how you clean the I have some customers that have the same
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They seem to catch more debris but it also seems to clean a lot easier also... As weird as that sounds. With the picture above, I'm sure a quick spray with APC, couple strokes with a brush, and a spray down took everything off.
 
anonymoususer said:
They seem to catch more debris but it also seems to clean a lot easier also... As weird as that sounds. With the picture above, I'm sure a quick spray with APC, couple strokes with a brush, and a spray down took everything off.
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Yes, most of it came out but there was still some left behind that was difficult to remove.
 
SYMAWD said:
Yes, most of it came out but there was still some left behind that was difficult to remove.
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In all fairness, plastic wheel well liners probably would've looked just as bad. You drove thru an area blown up by a hurricane for Christ sakes. But I'm sticking to my opinion that they clean up a lot easier, especially with debris that sticks like mud and clay. I'm on my third car with felt fender liners.
 
These pics are what was left behind on a monthly maintenance garage queen Audi in Maryland. Wheels and wells were manually washed/hose rinsed. I noticed that it was taking forever to rinse clean.

Hooked up the pressure washer. Notice the stream of dirt (pavement) rinsing out using pressure.










Would the customer have known that this would have been left behind?
I think not as it was deep into the fabric.
 
My pressure washer works well. They just require a lot of time to rinse thoroughly.

I spray them with purple power, dwell a couple minutes and start spraying. Like Vegas said, they hold a lot of dirt.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using AG Online
 
anonymoususer said:
In all fairness, plastic wheel well liners probably would've looked just as bad. You drove thru an area blown up by a hurricane for Christ sakes. But I'm sticking to my opinion that they clean up a lot easier, especially with debris that sticks like mud and clay. I'm on my third car with felt fender liners.
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Ok, I personally find plastic ones easier to clean and my other car with plastic liners had nothing caught in there driving through the same stuff.

And here is a picture taken the morning after the storm. Probably comparable to a fall day for some people.
IMAG0499.jpg
 
When it's dry I take a broom brush and comb out the debris. I like it better than plastic now.
 
I have to agree with Vegas Transplant and Ken Tuep. It's truly amazing what high pressure will remove from "clean" wheel wells!
 
On my W204 I used a garden hose with an high pressure attachment I have no issue getting any thing off sometimes it just takes longer.. I did like then at 1st but with fall and the leaves falling ya they suck..
 
The wheel well liners are better IMHO than the "standard". They don't get damaged, pitted or discolored. Yes, they're a PITA in the fall, but def worth it in the long run. A quick blast from a hose usually cleans them well. If there are some stubborn bits, I use the Dakota brush on them
 
I have them and found it best to spray with an APC, allow to dwell, and rinse with a pretty hard water stream. Cannot believe the dirt that comes out of them. I am afraid a brush might damage them over time with heavy scrubbing. I do like wheelwheels dressed, but dry to miss these areas as possible.
 
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