Best Alloy wheel cleaning products

obi_waynne

obi_waynne

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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?
 
Re: Alloly wheel cleaner

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.
 
Re: Alloly wheel cleaner

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
 
Re: Alloly wheel cleaner

i use mr muscle oven cleaner it eats right through the brake dust!!
 
Re: Alloly wheel cleaner

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,
 
Re: Alloly wheel cleaner

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
 
Re: Alloly wheel cleaner

Brick cleaner is very good at cleaning crap off alloys but can be quite harsh to laquer or paint so care is needed when doing this, so loads of water to wash off the acid,

but I think that is what wonder wheels basically is, I let some of it dry on the wheel and it left a yellow residue which usually signifies sulphuric acid
 
Re: Alloly wheel cleaner

MasterAuron said:
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.
Click to expand...

where can i get this product ? is it in ur average parts shop ? online ?
 
Re: Alloly wheel cleaner

jarrus said:
Brick cleaner is very good at cleaning crap off alloys but can be quite harsh to laquer or paint so care is needed when doing this, so loads of water to wash off the acid,

but I think that is what wonder wheels basically is, I let some of it dry on the wheel and it left a yellow residue which usually signifies sulphuric acid
Click to expand...

thats wot brick cleaner is. acid
 
Re: Alloly wheel cleaner

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
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

Wonder wheels is still pretty corrosive stuff, and not the sort of thing you want to get on your hands.

Halfords and your local parts store sell wonder wheels and it does do a good job, it comes with a brush and a spray on applicator.
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

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
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

mattyhigham said:
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
Click to expand...

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.
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

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.
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

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,
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

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
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

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 :)
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

jarrus said:
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 :)
Click to expand...

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.
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

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.
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

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......
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

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...
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

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
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

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.
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

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 :)
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

I'll keep that in mind,

no this is something that as bugged me,

you have polish, wax and paint renovator, even reading the description on the bottle I can never tell the real differences and what order to apply, I know the paint renovator goes on first if it needs it but most people have a polish and no wax,
I'm totally confused :S
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

A paint renovator will just be a cutting polish by any other name most likely. You polish to "clean" or "restore" the paint and then wax to protect it. Maybe I should write a quick detailing guide for the forum?
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

MasterAuron said:
A paint renovator will just be a cutting polish by any other name most likely. You polish to "clean" or "restore" the paint and then wax to protect it. Maybe I should write a quick detailing guide for the forum?
Click to expand...

Go for it. You can use my car as a real world example. I can take loads of pictures whilst you do the clever stuff :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

HDi fun said:
Go for it. You can use my car as a real world example. I can take loads of pictures whilst you do the clever stuff :lol: :lol: :lol:
Click to expand...

LOL nice try HDi! Do you need to change your username to straight-6 fun now? :lol:

I'll see what I can knock up while the misses is at a gig and someone can sticky it perhaps?
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

So really what you are saying is that paint renovator is an aggressive polish, then a normal polish will take care of whirls in the paint then wax to protect,

But really I guess if you use a paint renovator then you don't need polish?
 
Re: Alloy wheel cleaner

MasterAuron said:
LOL nice try HDi! Do you need to change your username to straight-6 fun now? :lol:

I'll see what I can knock up while the misses is at a gig and someone can sticky it perhaps?
Click to expand...

Possibly for a while, but I still like the remapped diesel muscle. The E39 was an emergency purchase - money is very very tight at the moment due to family circumstances.

I did, however, avoid diesel because the long term running costs (especially with older cars) can escalate. NASP petrols are far more mature in terms of reliability.

It's not especially quick (2.8, not a V8 model), but it's not exactly underpowered in fairness, and it does a good job as a family all round car.

It's not especially dirty yet, either. Still not interested??? :lol: I've got a very good camera. Takes nice pics.

Oh sod it HDi, quit whilst you're behind.

I'll sticky the thread right away

kind rgds,

P.
 
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