Cleaning alloy wheels
Discussion
I'm talking about the really tough crap that's taken yrs to accumulate inside the wheel. I've tried brake cleaner scrubbing and then jet washing to some effect but the really hard to shift s
t is still there.
The trouble is brake cleaner evaporates too quickly, I want some stuff to spray on leave the wash/scrub off. Any ideas?
t is still there. The trouble is brake cleaner evaporates too quickly, I want some stuff to spray on leave the wash/scrub off. Any ideas?
For really old ingrained stuff on wheels then I find an acid wheel cleaner is hard to beat. Just follow the instructions carefully especially dilution ratios if applicable and wear appropriate protective clothing.
You're also likely to find that some of the crud is tar which you'll need a solvent to remove - Tardis, WD40, white spirit all work fine.
Acid based wheel cleaners get a bad rep but they're absolutely fine to use occasionally where appropriate and if you're sensible when using them. Just avoid using acids on bare alloys that don't have a paint / powdercoat finish to protect the metal.
You're also likely to find that some of the crud is tar which you'll need a solvent to remove - Tardis, WD40, white spirit all work fine.
Acid based wheel cleaners get a bad rep but they're absolutely fine to use occasionally where appropriate and if you're sensible when using them. Just avoid using acids on bare alloys that don't have a paint / powdercoat finish to protect the metal.
Try getting some decent wheel cleaner and let it soak on the wheel for a while before hitting it with a mitt or a wheel woolie. I'd personally avoid scrubbing of any kind on my car, even on the wheels. If you need to scrub, the product isn't strong enough!
As well as wheel specific cleaners there are also some decent products out there that help to remove embedded ferrous particulates from paintwork (which includes wheels). Try giving those a look into. I use this, but there are others like this, too. Give the instructions a good read over to make sure they're suitable for your wheels before using them, though!
To save burning through these products too quickly I tend to give the wheels a good once over with regular car shampoo first so that the contaminant removers can get straight to work on paint and not have to work through a layer of grime first. Again - spray on and let sit for a few minutes to let it work.
Might be a little excessive but you can also clay wheels to help remove contaminants but I'd only do that once the wheels are in a decent condition anyway, it'd be a waste of clay otherwise.
It might be worth giving them a coat of wax if you do get them clean! Should help to make cleaning them easier next time.
Hope that helps!
As well as wheel specific cleaners there are also some decent products out there that help to remove embedded ferrous particulates from paintwork (which includes wheels). Try giving those a look into. I use this, but there are others like this, too. Give the instructions a good read over to make sure they're suitable for your wheels before using them, though!
To save burning through these products too quickly I tend to give the wheels a good once over with regular car shampoo first so that the contaminant removers can get straight to work on paint and not have to work through a layer of grime first. Again - spray on and let sit for a few minutes to let it work.
Might be a little excessive but you can also clay wheels to help remove contaminants but I'd only do that once the wheels are in a decent condition anyway, it'd be a waste of clay otherwise.
It might be worth giving them a coat of wax if you do get them clean! Should help to make cleaning them easier next time.
Hope that helps!
Edited by jamescarroll on Friday 20th March 16:09
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