Cleaning alloys

[simpo one]

I noticed to my surprise that my front alloys (Griff 500) have started collecting black specks of brake dust that don't come off, even with 'Halfords'-style wheel cleaner (which I suspect is 99.9% water).

My BMW dealer always makes an excellent job of my BMW wheels, and they say they use a weak acid. Can anyone confirm this and suggest where I can get some 'proper' alloy wheel cleaner? Ta!

[manek]

Wonder Wheels does it for me. I think it is a weak acid -- it stung when it spilled on a finger with a slight cut this morning...

[JMorgan]

I am told that you can't use wonder wheels on split rims? Best stuff I used on my 350 alloys, shifted most muck, dust etc.

[tivhead]

I can definately condone the use of 'Wonder wheels'. But I would think twice about using it as an anti-septic......

Tiv

[pedestrian]

Wonder wheels, what can I say:
Comments from other guys today - 'Christ, how long did it take you to clean those' (Oz cross spoke aloys).
Almost 3 minutes a wheel!!!!!!!
Rinse well.. it's acid.
**Wax afterwards, it's easier to keep clean.. (that takes a bit longer...)
Bit stong for fish n chips though...


>> Edited by pedestrian on Sunday 19th May 17:46

[andymadmak]

Wonder wheels is great but i found (to my cost) that you cannot use it on the OZ split rims used on the SEAC/SE cars. For these it's autosol and lots of hard work I'm afraid.
Andy 400se

[simpo one]

So 'Wonder Wheels' sounds to be the stuff then (not to be confused with 'Waggon Wheels', which leaves a nasty brown smear...)

On the subject of acid, I have a bottle of sulphuric acid which I salvaged from a damaged battery. Wonder what the dilution rate is? - though I might come down to Griff the next day to see it sitting on its chassis with a pile of smoking ash at each corner...

[mlumb]

t.f.r (traffic film remover} is what valeters usually use.Its available from Autosmart or from your local Machine Mart,dilute with water to suit,spray on with a garden sprayer rinse off preferably with pressure washer or hose ,lovely clean wheels!

[Lee77]

I always water down Wonder Wheels as it can be a bit strong on certain wheels, magic stuff though.

[Fatboy]

Using neat Sulphuric acid on alloy wheels might be similar to using bleach to kill pubic lice , but if dilute it about 100:1 it'd be about the same strength as vinegar (ish can't be arsed to work it out exactly, will do if you really want ).

[thub]

A cheap alternative?

Recently I read that sugar soap could be used for this, so I tried it last night. One third/two thirds s.s. to water mix sprayed on, left for ten minutes and removed with a soft brush seemed to do a pretty good job on the wheel trims (no alloys on my ordinary car) and the tyre walls.