Viewing: Alloy wheel cleaner

***waynne*** · 01-08-2010, 06:44 PM

Do you use an alloy wheel cleaner and finish with an alloy wheel wax?

As the brake dust corrodes the wheels (or is this a myth) do you or should you clean the wheels more frequently than the rest of the car?

**MasterAuron** · 01-08-2010, 06:54 PM

An alloy wheel cleaner usually makes for easier cleaning but it's not necessary. A normal wax will also suffice. I use Bilberry wheel cleaner as it comes concentrated so you can mix it to whatever strenght you like depending on the state of the wheels and it's awesome.

***HDi fun*** · 01-08-2010, 08:46 PM

I've used Astonish glass cleaner or Tar Bug and Sap remover for years to loosen the brake dust. At 99p for 3/4 litre it's cheap.
Then just plain water with a bit of Halfords' cheap car shampoo to clean them up.

I've never used specialist wheel cleaners

**jarrus** · 03-08-2010, 05:53 PM

I tried Turtle Wax Foam wheel cleaner and that was a waste of time and money, sure it "cleaned" the wheels as in it made the baked on brake dust shine instead of removing it,

So I tried wonder wheels and it worked a treat, it's been awhile since they have been so clean, however it isn't perfect because there are some really stubborn areas that won't clean up, I think refurb is next up but I will most likely replace the wheels anyway so it isn't worth me messing with them,

**lutonmatt** · 03-08-2010, 06:15 PM

best stuff for brake dust is brick cleaner buy it from wicks or b&q only about 2 quid for 5liters of it
but do it out side when i did the wheels on my old trans am i took the wheels off and did it inside stuff does give off some gasses

but works a treat

**geraint13** · 03-08-2010, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterAuron

An alloy wheel cleaner usually makes for easier cleaning but it's not necessary. A normal wax will also suffice. I use Bilberry wheel cleaner as it comes concentrated so you can mix it to whatever strenght you like depending on the state of the wheels and it's awesome.

where can i get this product ? is it in ur average parts shop ? online ?

**lutonmatt** · 03-08-2010, 10:02 PM

when i did my wheels i left it on the wheels until i did all 4 and did not stain the laquer or paint

but it is best to spray it on give it a good clean wearing safty glasses you dont want that stuff getting in your eyes i can tell you it does sting lol

then a good washing off remember them glasses when washing it off still has a sting to that as well as i found out again on the same i eye lol

**MasterAuron** · 04-08-2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geraint13

where can i get this product ? is it in ur average parts shop ? online ?

Nah chief it's a proper detailing/valeting product. Can get it on e-bay. ValetPro Bilberry safe wheel cleaner.

**mattyhigham** · 06-08-2010, 12:36 AM

i use some stuff called traffic from auto smart its designed to clean everthing of your car soon is it goes on my wheels the brakedust just runs off

***HDi fun*** · 06-08-2010, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattyhigham

i use some stuff called traffic from auto smart its designed to clean everthing of your car soon is it goes on my wheels the brakedust just runs off

Brake dust is a by-product of the prohibition of asbestos in brake pads. Prior to the late 1980s it was not banned.

Then again, asbestos pads did suffer some serious fade when wet.

It's better to wash or rinse off the brake dust from your wheels every week or two and avoid having to use savage acidic cleaners.

***waynne*** · 06-08-2010, 08:19 AM

Little and often eh HDI? Prevention is better than cure.

My wheels got so bad that I have decided to give them a good clean every couple of weeks.

Is brake dust corrosive then? A lot of people say that it is brake dust that blisters the alloy wheels.

**jarrus** · 06-08-2010, 02:52 PM

I would say no acutally, I guess the reason there alloys bilster is they probebly use those acidic cleaners to get it of,

But I agree with P, just a hose of once a week should be enough for it to just run off,

**pgarner** · 06-08-2010, 02:52 PM

most acid based wheel cleaners as phosphoric acid from what ive seen.

i use AG clean wheels which does not do a bad job but doesnt seem strong enough to remove the stubborn staining. looking at bilberry as MA has said you can use it concentrated of dilute it down.
i just use a normal wax now did have a bottle of wheel wax but there doesnt seem to be any difference between it and the normal stuff. makes cleaning them with just soap and water next time much easier

**jarrus** · 07-08-2010, 10:10 PM

YOu could use coca cola on your wheels,

myth busters did some tests of it's cleaning ability and overall it was very good, a bottle of cheap coke could be used to clean wheel, I might even give it a try, obviously though you need to wash it all off afterwards

***Prince*** · 08-08-2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarrus

YOu could use coca cola on your wheels,

myth busters did some tests of it's cleaning ability and overall it was very good, a bottle of cheap coke could be used to clean wheel, I might even give it a try, obviously though you need to wash it all off afterwards

I've heard the same thing. Apparently the contents of coca-cola eat through dirt. Might have to try this as my wheels are rather dirty atm.

***HDi fun*** · 08-08-2010, 05:56 PM

I think brake dust is quite aggressive on aluminium and aluminium derived alloys. It does, of course, depend on pad formulations as well.

I find that the front pads on the BMW generate lots of dust (especially with my wife's own special driving technique!!) but it virtually falls off. The rear's generate very little but it is nowhere near as easy to remove. With the 406 and Primera all wheels were equally difficult to clean.

Those bloody awful EBC Green 'things' were supposedly low dust. I didn't notice. The wheels always wound up black in no time. Perhaps this was because of the Green things' propensity to smoke with virtually no provocation.

**geraint13** · 08-08-2010, 06:27 PM

my fronts are always caked in dust, and i clean them every 2 weeks. very, very little on backs. but then ive got drums so......

***HDi fun*** · 08-08-2010, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geraint13

my fronts are always caked in dust, and i clean them every 2 weeks. very, very little on backs. but then ive got drums so......

Blimey - I've not had a car with drums at the back since about 1996.

**MasterAuron** · 08-08-2010, 11:28 PM

The Zetractor has drums on the back! Typical bloomin Ford rubbish.

**jarrus** · 15-08-2010, 10:44 PM

lol my car has drums on the rear, and yes they are rubbish

matt2216 · 17-08-2010, 10:29 PM

Wonder wheels works a treat for my superlites and boy do they shine but i just find for polishing them elbow grease and normal car shampoo is the best...

**jarrus** · 17-08-2010, 10:33 PM

Indeed, I do use wonder wheels, very aggressive stuff though

**pgarner** · 19-08-2010, 04:48 PM

just remember to seal them after washing them. makes them alot easier to clean next time and you done need to use the harsher chemicals

***HDi fun*** · 19-08-2010, 05:01 PM

I don't like using the savage acid cleaners. They can corrode surrounding bodywork and are not ideal in contact with skien either.

Strangely some of the 'professional' products, industrial strength ones, if you like, are much much kinder. Perhap because someone working with something all day for 5 days a week does not want to be in constant contact with agressive chemicals.

**pikey motorsports** · 19-08-2010, 07:40 PM

i used wonder wheels on the rados old wheels the same morning as i cut my index finger on the rad cowling.... lets just say it hurts, A LOT.

But as has already been said, the best way to make your wheels easy to clean is to clean them properly once, then seal them with a couple layers wax. just wipes off then