Stains on matte/satin finish wheels

[pgalore]

This is my first post! And I need your advice. I had my wheels painted matte black by a local rim repair shop 5 months ago. Immediately after that I coated the wheels with Gyeon Q2 Rim.
A month ago I had my car serviced at MB dealership, when they washed my car. When I went to pick up my car, I noticed (water?) marks on the wheels but had just assumed that they would come off after a proper wash and dry.

As you can imagine, they didn't go away after I used brake buster to clean the wheels properly. There are stains that appear to be streaky. Interestingly, these stains are mostly on the driver's side.
To cover them up, I reapplied RIM Q2 and now the stains are not as visible but still noticeable up close. These images were taken after I applied the coat. I should've taken before photos so you can see the stains more clearly.

What do you think caused this? Could the dealership used non-PH neutral cleaner? Still it doesn't add up because the stains are mostly on the driver's side.

I can think of another possible cause. After watching detailing videos on YouTube, I attempted to do DIY headlight restoration (that was totally unnecessary because my car is relatively new). I made a mess and polishing compound splashing all over the front bumper and the engine bay. This project took 2-3 weeks from the start because I had to order more sandpapers and compound, during which time the car hadn't been rinsed or washed. I can't remember if I inspected the wheels after I gave it a good wash but I think I would've noticed the stains if there was any. So I don't know where these stains came from.

Is there a way to fix this? Using a magic eraser / polishing compound came to mind but I didn't wanna make it worse.

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[fly07sti]

Most likely from the dealership detailer. Who knows what really caused it. If it were me, I’d clean them the fro to polish with something like McKee’s coating prep polish or OPT HyperPolish them re coat them.
Make take a couple rounds though.

 

[pgalore]

Most likely from the dealership detailer. Who knows what really caused it. If it were me, I’d clean them the fro to polish with something like McKee’s coating prep polish or OPT HyperPolish them re coat them.
Make take a couple rounds though.

Thanks for the advice. Can I use Meguiar's Ultimate Polish and/or Compound? Or are McKee and OPT Hyper Polish better for this?
I was under the impression that $ealerships would use genuine MB cleaning products that are not harsh..

 

[fly07sti]

You can try the Meguiar’s if that’s what you have. I would start with the polish first though. The prep polish and HyperPolish actually work very well for situations like this and they also work wonders on black trim if you you every need to restore or clean up and trim.

 

[pgalore]

You can try the Meguiar’s if that’s what you have. I would start with the polish first though. The prep polish and HyperPolish actually work very well for situations like this and they also work wonders on black trim if you you every need to restore or clean up and trim.

Oh if that's the case I should get one of those! I don't wanna use the wrong product to make it worse than it is. Thanks for the great tip :xyxthumbs:

 

[PaulMys]

I work for a dealer, and you do NOT want the "detailing department" within 50 feet of your car.

Harsh acid wheel cleaner, dirty brushes that they will put on the floor then back into the bucket, and the same wash water used on car #10 as they used on car #1.

You see, 99% of customers have no problem with this, because a car is simply transportation to them. They never wash it, so when the "detail guys" spray that harsh acid wheel cleaner on the wheels to remove all of the built-up brake dust that has turned the wheels brown, the average customer thinks it is just GREAT!

And the swirls they induce into the paint when they "wash" the vehicle are not noticed by these same customers.

Any trip to the dealer by a true AutoGeek must be accompanied by a strongly-worded message to the service manager, and a note written in BOLD letters that states:

DO NOT WASH THIS CAR!!!!!

 

[pgalore]

I work for a dealer, and you do NOT want the "detailing department" within 50 feet of your car.

Harsh acid wheel cleaner, dirty brushes that they will put on the floor then back into the bucket, and the same wash water used on car #10 as they used on car #1.

You see, 99% of customers have no problem with this, because a car is simply transportation to them. They never wash it, so when the "detail guys" spray that harsh acid wheel cleaner on the wheels to remove all of the built-up brake dust that has turned the wheels brown, the average customer thinks it is just GREAT!

And the swirls they induce into the paint when they "wash" the vehicle are not noticed by these same customers.

Any trip to the dealer by a true AutoGeek must be accompanied by a strongly-worded message to the service manager, and a note written in BOLD letters that states:

DO NOT WASH THIS CAR!!!!!

Ha ha that's funny. And I believe that's the case for a lot of dealerships but I expected more from Mercedes and other luxury brands. I will make sure they don't wash my car in the future. I can accept damages caused by myself but not by others.

 

[PaulMys]

Ha ha that's funny. And I believe that's the case for a lot of dealerships but I expected more from Mercedes and other luxury brands. I will make sure they don't wash my car in the future. I can accept damages caused by myself but not by others.

Yeah, you would think so. But the 99% also own luxury models.

 

[2black1s]

Be careful with any polish you use... Matte finishes will not be matte after polishing.

While polishing may help you achieve a more uniform finish than the spots you have now, it will also alter the gloss level.

Be sure to do a test spot to see what the polish effect will be. I'd try it on the back side of the wheel before touching anything on the face.

 

[fly07sti]

Be careful with any polish you use... Matte finishes will not be matte after polishing.

While polishing may help you achieve a more uniform finish than the spots you have now, it will also alter the gloss level.

Be sure to do a test spot to see what the polish effect will be. I'd try it on the back side of the wheel before touching anything on the face.

The test spot is a good point. I will say though that I have polished dozens of matte, flat wheels with both of the polished I mentioned. I should also state that it should be done by hand and not too vigorously. If you use a machine it will most likely make them shinier.

 

[psnt1ol]

You can try the Meguiar’s if that’s what you have. I would start with the polish first though. The prep polish and HyperPolish actually work very well for situations like this and they also work wonders on black trim if you you every need to restore or clean up and trim.

You gave me this tip a few years back and I been using the prep polish for restoring trims prior in coating them. :xyxthumbs:

 

[damonb10]

Ha ha that's funny. And I believe that's the case for a lot of dealerships but I expected more from Mercedes and other luxury brands.

You will end up incredibly disappointed with that expectation. It doesn't matter if it's KIA or MB. Oh and any "genuine" MB detailing products are nothing special.

 

[pgalore]

Be careful with any polish you use... Matte finishes will not be matte after polishing.

While polishing may help you achieve a more uniform finish than the spots you have now, it will also alter the gloss level.

Be sure to do a test spot to see what the polish effect will be. I'd try it on the back side of the wheel before touching anything on the face.

That's also what I was afraid of! Thanks for reminding me.

 

[pgalore]

They are just overpriced! I never buy MB detailing products.

I'd be furious if I owned an AMG GT and a dealership ruined my car as part of their 'courtesy' wash.

 

[57Rambler]

The test spot is a good point. I will say though that I have polished dozens of matte, flat wheels with both of the polished I mentioned. I should also state that it should be done by hand and not too vigorously. If you use a machine it will most likely make them shinier.

:iagree: on both points.

A coating prep polish like the one from Mckees37, or as another example, DP Coating Prep Polish, should be safe as they do not contain any abrasives. The Optimum Hyper Polish and Megs UP do contain abrasives, so I wouldn't go that route.

 

[pgalore]

McKee 37, DP, OPT, none of them is available in Australia! :doh: Having a professional detailer fix them may be more cost effective than importing products from the U.S...

 

[2black1s]

McKee 37, DP, OPT, none of them is available in Australia! :doh: Having a professional detailer fix them may be more cost effective than importing products from the U.S...

Try whatever fine polish you have available... Be sure to follow the cautions in my prior post.

 

[fly07sti]

As always, try a little spot and go from there.

 

[glen e]

Do not put a Mr. clean Magic eraser anywhere near a car or a boat. It is the equivalency of 3600 grit sandpaper… More gloss has been scratched up using those things than anything else I can think of… I really can’t see any type of low abrasive polish working either, I think I ‘d try to strip the whole thing with 50-50 rubbing alcohol and water and see if that works…

 

[fly07sti]

Do not put a Mr. clean Magic eraser anywhere near a car or a boat. It is the equivalency of 3600 grit sandpaper… More gloss has been scratched up using those things than anything else I can think of… I really can’t see any type of low abrasive polish working either, I think I ‘d try to strip the whole thing with 50-50 rubbing alcohol and water and see if that works…

I have actually used these polishes in very similar situations.
I had a customer that went through an automatic wash and had some ghosting on his wheels and I used the McKee’s prep polish and ghosting removed.
Have also used on my truck which has matte black wheels to remove stains from driving through some road construction.