Best Way to Clean Up Split Rims?

[Laurence7]

I have a load of a Image split-rim wheel rims that I want to build up on new or refurbed centres.

Problem is, though the rims are straight and true, they have heavy accumulations of road dirt, sticky patches from previous balance weights and old silicone sealant at the joint surface.

From previous bitter experience, I know it’s a real painstaking job to get them cleaned up ready for reassembly.

Does anybody have any tried-and-tested methods or recommendations for cleaning agents, to do the job?

[JulesB]

Use some truck wash + a pressure washer, then the remainder you need to get some elbow grease, thinners and a cloth and scrub the glue off

[mneame]

Just don't do this if you like your fingers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxxG4A4OgHI

[iwanna]

Rinse to remove light grime, then follow with a wheel cleaner (something like Wheel Cleanse, Diablo etc) agitate with brush, rinse.

Follow with a tar and glue remover (Tar cleanse, AutoGlym Tar remover etc) to remove the glue etc

DA with a medium to hard cutting pad, metal polish (Britemax twins) and alot of MF cloths.

Seal.

Job done.

[Squiggs]

mneame said:

Just don't do this if you like your fingers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxxG4A4OgHI

That does look just a little bit dangerous - one slip and your fingers are in the spokes and there's no emergency stop!

[Laurence7]

Guys
Thanks for responses. I'll give some of the recomendations a try (but not the Health-and-Safety nightmare!)

iwanna said:

DA with a medium to hard cutting pad, metal polish (Britemax twins) and alot of MF cloths.
Seal.
Job done.

Forgive my accronym ignorance, but what do DA and MF stand for? ...and how, and with what, should I seal the rims? Questions, questions!

Edited by Laurence7 on Wednesday 6th June 23:18

[Roadru77er]

DA=Dual Action (Polisher)

MF=Micro Fibre (Polishing Cloth)

Google "Wheel Sealant" Poor Boys is respected,will make cleaning easier,just shampoo.

Try looking at the Detailing World web site

[iwanna]

For sealing:

FK1000P or AngleWax (if you like your wax type) Nanolex, GTechniq for a "pure" sealant.

I always go with the less caustic products, that way less damage to sort out.

Caustic Truck Wash, High pH (or low pH) wheel cleaners also one to miss.

But once cleaned, polished, sealed, will only need to use shampoo after that.

[Laurence7]

Thanks all - will give it a go

[BBS-LM]

mneame said:

Just don't do this if you like your fingers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxxG4A4OgHI

fk me, I'm amazed he did not lose his hand, what a moron.

[mneame]

BBS-LM said:

fk me, I'm amazed he did not lose his hand, what a moron.

Scary thing is that there are a whole host of videos of other plonkers doing the exact same thing!