how to treat refurbished alloys

[325Ti]

morning all

picked up a mondeo st last night.

Ive always known the wheels on these were prone to corrosion so was happy to find one with newly refurbished wheels

they are now like new - but how do I keep them that way?

i normally just wash my wheels with car shampoo - sometimes using autoglym spray on them first

are there any specfic products that help product the wheels? or am I best using as few chemicals as possible?

cheers

[7even]

Something like poorboys wheel sealant, (other makes available) will help, just a matter of keeping them as clean as poss as often as poss. or perhaps think about getting a winter set to use when the weathers bad?

[325Ti]

I like to think that I keep all my cars pretty clean etc

but a wheel sealant could be a good idea - are they hard to work with?

what about cleaning products? or is it best to avoid these?

[JulesB]

Jap wheels are equally notorious for corrosion, I keep mine smart by cleaning them on a weekly basis using acid free wheel cleaner, pressure washing, and then I will wipe them down. I also dry them after I have cleaned them, never tried a wheel sealant on my own cars though.

[OldSkoolRS]

It's a ball ache, but taking them off cleaning both sides and then giving them a coat of wax/wheel sealant will help make them easier to clean next time (unless left for months). You won't even need a wheel cleaner (acid free or not) as ordinary car shampoo will clean them once coated. I did my Z3 alloys and my OH'd Mini alloys 6 months ago, just coating them with poorboys wheel sealant on both sides (which isn't even that highly regarded in the detailing world) and they've been a doddle to clean ever since.

A colleague has a same aged 3 series touring as mine and his brake disc bells are all corroded: At the last service BMW said it was because of acid wheel cleaners (he takes his to the local hand car wash) and they won't replace them because of this. Mine are still like new due to using wheel sealant and using diluted Bilberry wheel cleaner when they get really dirty, so there is something in it...

[Squiggs]

When you consider that wheels are painted and lacquered in much the same way as bodywork ..... would you ever use an acid cleaner on car paintwork.

[JulesB]

Squiggs said:

When you consider that wheels are painted and lacquered in much the same way as bodywork ..... would you ever use an acid cleaner on car paintwork.

+1 He speaks the truth.

[325Ti]

Thanks for the replies.

Think ill buy myself some poorboys wheel sealant. Is it basically a wax?

Once that's on ill stick to washing them regularly with normal car shampoo

[OldSkoolRS]

Poorboys is a sealant rather than a wax, though after I'd bought some ever post on Detailing World seemed to say how bad it is and that another make would be better. However, even so it's lasted pretty well on our different cars (just washed the OH's Mini and the wheels looked black, yet I only used car shampoo and an EZ wheel brush to reach the backs and they look like new again).

There are a few choices on this page next to the Poorboys, Mint rims has been recommended to me as has the Wolf's rim shield:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/cat...

[Craikeybaby]

Another vote for wheel sealant, then just washing with normal shampoo. I also use the Poorboys stuff, but will probably try another brand when I have finished the pot. It is fairly easy to use, probably easier if you are able to get the wheels off the car and/or the wheel design isn't too intricate.

[chimster]

Just had my wheels refurbed at Lepsons, they said just soapy water. Great job too.

[OldSkoolRS]

chimster said:

Just had my wheels refurbed at Lepsons, they said just soapy water. Great job too.

Without any kind of sealant/wax on them, you may find that dirt will start to stick to them and it will take more than shampoo. Might be worth giving the wheels time for the new paint to 'gas off' but I'd still put some kind of sealant/wax on them to help keep the dirt from becoming embedded.

I'm sure he will comment if I'm wrong, but I'm sure that KDS Keltech uses Lepsons and I'm also sure I've seen him mention using wheel sealant too. If it's good enough for KDS, then it's good enough for me.

[chimster]

OldSkoolRS said:

Without any kind of sealant/wax on them, you may find that dirt will start to stick to them and it will take more than shampoo. Might be worth giving the wheels time for the new paint to 'gas off' but I'd still put some kind of sealant/wax on them to help keep the dirt from becoming embedded.

I'm sure he will comment if I'm wrong, but I'm sure that KDS Keltech uses Lepsons and I'm also sure I've seen him mention using wheel sealant too. If it's good enough for KDS, then it's good enough for me.

I am happy to be advised ;-)