Gunked up rims

kdubski

kdubski

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AG I'm production detailing cars for an auto body shop in my area over winter break from school. I clean incoming cars from bigger things, mainly hit with foam gun and break down any dirt or road debris, along with interior, and most importantly I get the wheels spotless. I do this so after repair/painting all I have to do is a slight refresh on the exterior and clean any overspray and its on its way out.
I have one car that I'm stuck on because the wheels are extremely caked up. It's a late 2000s BMW 5 series. The brake dust on the wheels is "gunk" because after a few applications of acid wheel cleaner the stubborn spots remain. I inspected it close up and agitated with my finger (glove on) and it's sticky to the touch. Can't get it off haven't used much aside from APC, wheel cleaners, and assorted brushes. Cars off for repairs so have a few days before its back and I need to tackle them. Any similar experiences or advice? Thanks



UNTOUCHED:
2s9ypty.jpg




After at least 3 attempts with APC/Wheel cleaners and assorted brushes this is what remains and will not come off:
2w4b29w.jpg




Feed back please
 
Important to let us know what you have already tried, so we can make suggestions you haven't done yet.
 
Heisenberg said:
Important to let us know what you have already tried, so we can make suggestions you haven't done yet.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I used a meguires WB type of product at work (I've used it at least 20+ times by now to compare it by how it smells and works), daytona speed brush, and maybe 6 other brushes to get specifically that area. I scrubbed and sprayed with literally no results.
 
Meguiars WB is acid so the next step would mostly be clay or steel wool or just leave it be, and go get the wheel refinished
 
Why not try IronX. They have a paste/gel for circumstances just like that.
 
Yeah I'm not sure if its brake dust or some kind of grease cause it is literally sticky tar like substance. Going to try with some type of degreaser when I have the chance.
 
meguiars wb is very strong, I would apply a bit, let it dwell for a minute, then work in with a tooth brush, idk about wd40 being good for tar like this...
 
Save yourself time and product by scraping it off the wheel with something plastic first. Then use a degreasing product to finish up.
 
Yeah wd40 might be able to do it seeing as this is sticky tar at this point.
 
Malco brake off. Designed for that type of problem. Spray on ,let sit about 10 min. Rinse off. NO agitation needed. I keep some for those nasty one's I do not want to spend all day on!
f38c7406d54d145c84a37d19ef2b6386_zpsb49b8aff.jpg
f4d6c5415557a94a377f69b1abb91670_zps33a8834d.jpg
 
Consider steam and a clay bar.

A steam cleaner USUALLY makes a wheel spotless...not including any damage that has occurred.

'Gunked' up wheel process for me:

1. APC and dedicated ferrous fighting wheel cleaners + various brushes
2. Steam cleaner + various brushes and a MF towel
3. Clay

Its hard to say from pictures, but this looks like something I have come across before and my above process works for me.
 
Both of these should take care of that.
Soanx wheel cleaner
1z wheel cleaner
 
He said a WB "type" product. I am going to assume he didnt use REAL Wheel Brightener. Prolly just a cheapie knock off because of the production environment.
 
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