Alloy Wheel Cleaner - Polished Black Alloys

[Claire-i1bmr]

I've got new polished black alloys, and will be washing them this weekend. I've had a look at some reviews and wondered if anyone had black alloys and has ever used Bilt Hamber auto wheel cleaner on them?

Any other cleaners that anyone has used on black polished alloys that don't ruin them?

Wheel protector - I see Poorboys wheel sealant come up as highly rated, and it looks like it's suitable for all types of alloys.

Any recommendations on cleaner and protector gratefully received..

ClaireG

[mgv8]

I like Autogulm customer wheel cleaner as a non-acid product.
Well worth putting wax on the wheel after. There are a few wheel only waxes out there but if it comes to it unless you are racing normal wax will do the job. After that water should be quite good at getting the grim off.

[MOBB]

I use BH on my Cupra black wheels, does a great job and no damage that I have seen to date

Also, Finish Kare FK1000p is great protection for wheels, doddle to use and lasts quite a few months

[Claire-i1bmr]

Thanks very much to both of you.
Will look up those products.

Normal wax will do the job - what do you mean by normal wax? Apologies if that sounds like a stupid question!

[Alex_225]

In terms of cleaning them, if you keep on top of it, you should get away with simply washing them thoroughly with a normal wash mitt and shampoo.

I rather like Chemical Guys Wheel guard for protection. Helps repel the brake dust so makes them even easier to clean.

For doing inside the wheels, take a look at Wheel Woolies too.

[Claire-i1bmr]

Thanks Alex, the family car has very fiddly alloys and it already has a build up of brake dust, spots of tar on it even though it gets cleaned every 1-2 weeks. It was like that when we bought it.
As they are standard wheels I will use any of the recommended cleaners and the stuff you recommended to get the crap out from deeper into the wheel behind the spokes.

My commuting and daily car is the one with polished black alloys so I need to tread more carefully, and seeing as these new alloys have only been on the car a week, I want to start off properly and not end up having to scrub like a 1800's deck hand.

[MOBB]

Make sure any wheel cleaner you buy has iron remover in it - it helps massively in getting rid of the little black specks that build up.

BH auto wheel does have that :-)

[Claire-i1bmr]

Thanks MOBB. Will order the Bilt Hamber stuff..

[SR20i]

What would people recommend for silver wheels with baked on brake dust?

[Ninja59]

Baked on try the BH korrosol, Carpro Iron X it should help massively.

In regards to many "non acid" alloy wheel products make sure you do not have the flipside which is they are highly alkali. Most of the non acid ones in nearly all the cases when looking at the MSDS had very high levels of pH (in some cases 12 or 13 in concentrate) even diluted down as per the instructions still resulted in a 9/10 (Yes I am looking at bilberry wheel cleaner).

Do be careful though with the above fallout removers as they still go through an acidic state, but are far far more easily neutralised with plenty of water. Prior to contact they are pH neutral and the end state is neutral as well.

[Tickle]

I use planet polish wheel seal and shine to prevent hot brake fall-out from sticking to the wheels (even the dish, wheels off job). To keep them clean I use a watered down bilbery solution. Works for me great.

[MOBB]

SR20i said:

What would people recommend for silver wheels with baked on brake dust?

I would try something like Iron X or Korrosol, if that doesn't shift it, something like wonder wheels, or more extreme, brick acid.

The last 2 suggestions present more risk to the finish of the wheels though obviously.

Claybar and tar remover maybe also worth a try.

[r11co]

I have found that nothing cleans a wheel better than a piece of clay-bar. Even a clean-looking wheel releases a lot of grime when given the once-over.

[designforlife]

collinite 845 to seal...good on paint elsewhere on the car too.

[SR20i]

MOBB said:

SR20i said:

What would people recommend for silver wheels with baked on brake dust?

I would try something like Iron X or Korrosol, if that doesn't shift it, something like wonder wheels, or more extreme, brick acid.

The last 2 suggestions present more risk to the finish of the wheels though obviously.

Claybar and tar remover maybe also worth a try.

Trued wonder wheels, and while it did take some off there's still quite a bit that won't shift. I'll try the other suggestions, thanks.

[MDMA .]

I use Poorboys Spray and Rinse.

[Dermot O'Logical]

By "Polished black alloys" do you mean diamond-cut alloys with black painted bits? Because if you are, the black bits aren't going to be the problem.

Can you put up a picture?

[SoCalDave]

Simply wash with the usual car shampoo that you use and wax them up.