What's this on my wheel?

[Rich1973]

Lots of cars over many years I have seen this on before.
Took a picture today as never fathomed what causes it.

[AlexGSi2000]

That will more than likely be a little stringy piece of dust, attached at the center of the swirl, that gets blown in circular motions when the car is being driven, effectively cleaning anything it touches.

Similar to when you see a branch thats been wiping a fence panel in the wind.

[LuS1fer]

I have had nigh on 50 cars and have never seen anything like that on any of my wheels.

[e-honda]

AlexGSi2000 said:

That will more than likely be a little stringy piece of dust, attached at the center of the swirl, that gets blown in circular motions when the car is being driven, effectively cleaning anything it touches.

Similar to when you see a branch thats been wiping a fence panel in the wind.

I had something similar, it was a bit bigger than this on the body work, but it was on a car sat for months.

[Steve vRS]

Your drive needs weeding



Sorry, couldn't resist.

[Dog Biscuit]

Steve vRS said:

Your drive needs weeding



Sorry, couldn't resist.

Wheels need cleaning too

[vikingaero]

Clean the wheel and see if it's still there.

[king arthur]

It's a tin worm. Usually to be found attacking the steel bodywork but certain species are known to be partial to aluminium alloy too. You'll need to extract the little fecker before he burrows all the way through and makes your wheel porous.

[Scrump]

Is it a polo?

[Triumph Man]

AlexGSi2000 said:

That will more than likely be a little stringy piece of dust, attached at the center of the swirl, that gets blown in circular motions when the car is being driven, effectively cleaning anything it touches.

Similar to when you see a branch thats been wiping a fence panel in the wind.

Yes! I've had this and always wondered what it was!

OP, for a laugh, put it on your local spotted FB group and claim its a gypsy marking.

[rottenegg]

Yeah I saw a few clean spots like that on one of my front wheels recently. Look like drips, of something, god knows what though. It's not brake fluid or damper oil as I checked the caliper and damper on that corner as my first suspicion!

Maybe it's an insect with a taste for brake dust?

[AC43]

It's the people who live in wheeled accommodation who have done that.

They'll be back for it later and will also nick your dog.

[Krikkit]

Triumph Man said:

OP, for a laugh, put it on your local spotted FB group and claim its a gypsy marking.

Genius

[Cylon2007]

It's someone telling you to clean your wheels, minging that is

[Dogwatch]

They're watching you...

[Slowboathome]

Dogwatch said:

They're watching you...

This. It's basically a form of crop circle.