Need help cleaning wheels

JohnnyHonda

JohnnyHonda

New member
Joined
Apr 24, 2013
Messages
14
Reaction score
0
Fellow Detailers,

I got the detailing bug a few months ago and have been reading this forum just about everyday. I've learned a lot and have taken my '04 Accord DD from neglected to a car that shines inside and out.

My next task is getting the alloy wheels to look better. I know they've been neglected for many years and may never look great but right now they are embarrassing.

I've tried using a few APCs at strong strengths with nylon brushes but didn't see much improvement.

Please help this noobie out and let me know what processes and products Ishould use.

Thanks in advance!

Below are two photos from one of the rear wheels. The fronts aren't quite as bad.




 
Looks like typical brake dust build up. You mentioned trying some APC's, but have you tried any dedicated wheel cleaners or Iron removers?

A product like Sonax Full Effect wheel cleaner and/or Iron X should help to break apart that build up. Spray the product onto the wheel, allow it to dwell for several minutes (never let it dry on the wheel) and then agitate with a variety of brushes.

You should be able to get those wheels cleaned up in no time.

Example - Audi S6 - HIGHLY neglected wheels.

Before:
417862_247365045401622_1210828091_n.jpg


During:
253219_247365175401609_383958689_n.jpg


After:
935193_247365932068200_1710189120_n.jpg


Good luck :xyxthumbs:
 
Well my goto is Meg's Wheel Brightener.
It's an acid and will eat through that crud.
But you have to be careful and do a test spot.
I've done alot of these cars and never had a problem. But your might be different, so do a test spot, always.
Hot Rims is the consumer version of WB and is readily available at your local Auto Parts Store.

If you don't want to go that route you can use a compound too.
I'd use Meg's Dyna Cone or a Mothers Ball to work it with a machine. Doing 4 rims by hand will take you all day to get it right.
 
Scholl concepts rim 7 hands down no contest. Iron x will also do a good job but has a thin viscosity so its a little more difficult to work with, but still excellent. Seriously, your mind will be blown with either product.
 
I've tried an OTC wheel cleaner with not much improvement. I was thinking of trying Iron X but looked at the Scholl Concept product I saw mentioned and like that it's a gel.

Thanks for the great replies!
 
Don't be afraid to use a lot of product on those very stubborn areas. You need to really cover that wheel with cleaner so that it can penetrate the build up and start to break it down.

Also, you may need to do several applications per wheel.
 
zmcgovern45 said:
Don't be afraid to use a lot of product on those very stubborn areas. You need to really cover that wheel with cleaner so that it can penetrate the build up and start to break it down.

Also, you may need to do several applications per wheel.
Click to expand...

:iagree: a few applications can sometimes be the key. Putting your finger in a damp microfiber towel (with a glove of course) can help you rub out some of the stubborn spots as well.
 
i love sonax wheel cleaner too..

UNTIL i tried 1z colourtec..i wish i knew how to piece 5 videosf rom my iphone into one...id show you just how awesome 1z colourtec is...
 
Sonax seems to be your best bet, like the others mentioned.

IronX / Trix would be my next go to product.

Bear in mind that these things smell awful..goes without saying to use in a well ventilated area.

I'm a bit wary about using products like these at home (don't wanna annoy the neighbors) so I drive down to coin op bay in order to use these
 
Why dont you try some 0000 steel wool or if you don't really mind too much use a Brillo pad but make sure to have a spray bottle with soap and water or bucket of soap and water and just use the steel wool to remove the brake dust its just my cheaper way of removing the stubborn brake dust also if you feel its scratches there from the steel wool use a compound or polish
 
jamesboyy said:
Why dont you try some 0000 steel wool or if you don't really mind too much use a Brillo pad but make sure to have a spray bottle with soap and water or bucket of soap and water and just use the steel wool to remove the brake dust its just my cheaper way of removing the stubborn brake dust also if you feel its scratches there from the steel wool use a compound or polish
Click to expand...

Don't use steel wool or Brillo pads on your wheels, no more than you would use it on your hood. These wheels have a clear coat.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
 
jamesboyy said:
Why dont you try some 0000 steel wool or if you don't really mind too much use a Brillo pad but make sure to have a spray bottle with soap and water or bucket of soap and water and just use the steel wool to remove the brake dust its just my cheaper way of removing the stubborn brake dust also if you feel its scratches there from the steel wool use a compound or polish
Click to expand...
:nomore:

swanicyouth said:
Don't use steel wool or Brillo pads on your wheels, no more than you would use it on your hood. These wheels have a clear coat.
Click to expand...

Exactly! Do not be any more aggressive on the wheels than you would be on your paint. If you use something like steel wool or a 'brillo pad' then be prepared to have some seriously dull, lifeless looking wheels. They may not have brake dust on them, but the polishing required to make them look good afterwards is way more work than a proper wheel cleaning.
 
Ordered Scholls concept 7 rim cleaner today. Looking forward to trying it out on my dirty wheels soon.
Will post photos afterward. Thanks for all of the help. This is the best learning environment online!
 
Expensive, but you won't be sorry. Dwell time is the key with this stuff. Good luck.
 
statusdetailing said:
:iagree: a few applications can sometimes be the key. Putting your finger in a damp microfiber towel (with a glove of course) can help you rub out some of the stubborn spots as well.
Click to expand...

Got my shipment from AG and couldn't wait to try out the Scholl Concepts on my dirty wheels. I only had limited time and materials but still wanted to see how it worked.

I stopped at the self serve car wash (great hint because of the smell) and sprayed each wheel with the Scholl Concept 7 Rim Cleaner and waited just a few minutes for it to do it's magic. I used a microfiber with a glove (another great tip) to work the chemical into the baked on brake dust. Used the pressure washer rinse to wash away all of the gunk. It couldn't have been easier.

What a transformation in just a few minutes! Years of neglect being washed down the drain!

Can't wait to spend some quality time on the wheels this weekend to get in all of the nooks & crannies and use a brush to get farther inside.

It's so much more fun when you have the right information, the best techniques, and the correct products. Thanks for all of the great information. :thankyousign:
 
Nice! Glad to see you got some pretty good results with minimal work... get yourself a good set of wheel cleaning tools/brushes to make it even easier!
 
Pull those wheels off, and it will do miracles on the inner barrels. You may be able to clean them without pulling them off, with a daytona brush.
 
zmcgovern45 said:
:nomore:



Exactly! Do not be any more aggressive on the wheels than you would be on your paint. If you use something like steel wool or a 'brillo pad' then be prepared to have some seriously dull, lifeless looking wheels. They may not have brake dust on them, but the polishing required to make them look good afterwards is way more work than a proper wheel cleaning.
Click to expand...


Yeah i get that now and yes you are correct about it dulling your wheels, and don't be harsher then you have to but at the time i was just so sick and tried of seeing brake dust in the corners but begin here at Autogeek is giving me the right and proper knowledge
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top