magical wheel nut covers

[All Torque]

Took the newly purchased monaro to the local car wash the other day(you know the kind where about 10 people clean it for a fiver), and I must say they did a great job. But I don't know what they put on the wheels 'cos as I was standing there admiring it the plastic wheel nut covers changed from grey to a sickening shade of white! Whatever it was it was strong stuff - the wheels came up a treat. Bit of a pain having to buy a new set, but such is life. Think I'll be pulling them off before getting it washed next time.

[GreenV8S]

The stuff that is normally used to clean wheels is acidic and will corrode bare metal, but it is great for removing brake dust from lacquered surfaces. Sounds like it is just as well you didn't have polished wheels or they'd be knackered by now.

[308mate]

As an ex car detailer for BMW - dont use wheel acid. Ever. Theres no need. 90% of the time, simple soap and water once a week will get brake dust off easily. Wheel acid is bad for the wheels, the paint, your lungs and it has been known to eat into flesh.

Pb

[LuS1fer]

Got to agree. After using many wheel cleaners, I was positively shocked to find how much better a bucket of Fairy Liquid and hot water shifts brake dust (after a sudden flashback to how easy it used to be cleaning my car wheels in the 70's). I know it doesn't offer any protection but regular washing keeps the wheels far cleaner than all the fancy gubbins.

[booster]

Autoglym do an Acid free wheel cleaner in their trade range which is supposed to be very good. Otherwise Meguiars Wheel Brightnener is one of the best I have used. Once you have cleaned the wheels it is a good idea to use a sealant on them to protect them and even a wax topper too. from that point on all you should need to do is to wash and rinse to keep them clean and only reuse the cleaner product when the sealant has started to lose its protection.

I would be VERY wary of using the "hand scrub" garages. These places normally appear to work really well, and have cleaners pumped up with shiny waxy things to make it look tasty when you drive away. However, they tend to employ disaffected youngsters who just don't care about your car the way you do. They always use dreaded sponges which will have been dropped on the floor countless times along with the chamois leathers too. And you have no idea whether the car before yours could have been a real dirty dog. Yes the cars are washed and dried quickly, and they do look good for about 4 hours - but they use the same mitts/towels all day long! And I gurantee that once the gloss has worn off and the sun hits your car you will be in swirl city - big time. I'd hate to be last through the door with my car. Places like this can ruin the hard work you put in. Much better to do it yourself, but of course if you haven't got the time I suppose you have little choice.


>> Edited by booster on Friday 3rd March 15:57

[All Torque]

Thanks for the response guys. I think that will be my last time to one of those washes. From now on it's a case of good old fashioned elbow grease. Can anyone recomend from personal experience a good quality polish/wax to use on my baby? I've used Autoglym super resin polish once before and found it to be pretty good.

[Bundaberg]

I'd be careful of using Fairy liquid or other things for cleaning wheels as washing up liquid contains salt to thicken it up so won't do alloys any favours if they have any scratches etc ... just another useless fact of life

Now for my next trick ...........

[booster]

Get yourself registered on this forum:

www.detailingworld.co.uk for loads of useful advice and tips. Or you could always the default stop off www.autopia.org

Loads of stuff on both of these.