Cleaning Alloys
Discussion
OK, I've been cleaning alloys now for 20 year and I'm getting tired of it... someone somewhere must have invented something to either a) stop brake dust full stop or b) stop it sticking to alloys?
Its just a cleaning job that I hate... wax etc.. no problem but alloys are just a bind...
Any ideas? (other than don't use your brakes as much, which would mean not using the throttle, which would end the reason for said griff :-) )
Its just a cleaning job that I hate... wax etc.. no problem but alloys are just a bind...
Any ideas? (other than don't use your brakes as much, which would mean not using the throttle, which would end the reason for said griff :-) )
Powelly,
What do you clean with? I would recommend getting some p21 wheel cleaning gel. Once cleaned, use an old claybar and remove all roughness from the surface such as baked in brake dust etc. Once clayed, then liberally apply the same wax that you use on your bodywork (of the car that is).
As the wheel is painted metal, you need to clean it the same way as the bodywork. This waxing will reduce the amount of brake dust that accumulates and also make the wheels easier to clean each time.
The only surefire way of stopping brake dust is to buy those rubber brake covers from someone like Wolfrace...wouldnt advise it as they look crap and over heat the brakes...LOL
Hope this helps.
Kev
What do you clean with? I would recommend getting some p21 wheel cleaning gel. Once cleaned, use an old claybar and remove all roughness from the surface such as baked in brake dust etc. Once clayed, then liberally apply the same wax that you use on your bodywork (of the car that is).
As the wheel is painted metal, you need to clean it the same way as the bodywork. This waxing will reduce the amount of brake dust that accumulates and also make the wheels easier to clean each time.
The only surefire way of stopping brake dust is to buy those rubber brake covers from someone like Wolfrace...wouldnt advise it as they look crap and over heat the brakes...LOL
Hope this helps.
Kev
Powelly, I took mine off one by one the other day to clean for first time ever. Must have been the first time for the car, too.... Dead easy to clean though. The inside of the wheel doesnt seem to have any lacquer, and the dust had bound to it and left small pit marks, caused to varying degrees by small stones over the years, I guess. So just used a light kitchen scourer 
and sugar & washing up liquid; got 'em clean; was gentle on the outsides; rinsed 'em off with running water; chamois and replace. One hour all done.
They look a bit cleaner but I aint worried about the lack of runsmoother gofaster shininess on the inside. It's the inner glow that driving the car brings what does the trick
and sugar & washing up liquid; got 'em clean; was gentle on the outsides; rinsed 'em off with running water; chamois and replace. One hour all done. They look a bit cleaner but I aint worried about the lack of runsmoother gofaster shininess on the inside. It's the inner glow that driving the car brings what does the trick
I cleaned and lacquered the back of my wheels. How sad is that?!
In reply to the original question, you can try a good coat of wax, or even something like GT85 spray (bit like WD40 but with PTFE). GT85 won't look fantastic, and the dirt will stick to it - but wipe off the GT85, and the dirt comes off with it. Nice 'n' easy.
In reply to the original question, you can try a good coat of wax, or even something like GT85 spray (bit like WD40 but with PTFE). GT85 won't look fantastic, and the dirt will stick to it - but wipe off the GT85, and the dirt comes off with it. Nice 'n' easy.
Don't use washing up liquid as it contains salt. If you use it on wheels that arent laquered then you will find corrosion creeping in due to the salt.
Scouring pads will only induce fine scratches in the painted wheels which the salt will creep into and thats not good either.
Sorry to pee on your parade Shadowfax
That's ok evovalet, you can remove the bag; I never hadmuch of a parade and I'm always good at takin the piss out of myself before anyone else bothers As I said, the wheels are pitted on the inside (or rear) anyway and as such only a proper refurb would restore them. I will try your tip to Powelly about the wax
As I said, the wheels are pitted on the inside (or rear) anyway and as such only a proper refurb would restore them. I will try your tip to Powelly about the waxpowelly said:
OK, I've been cleaning alloys now for 20 year and I'm getting tired of it... someone somewhere must have invented something to either a) stop brake dust full stop or b) stop it sticking to alloys?
Its just a cleaning job that I hate... wax etc.. no problem but alloys are just a bind...
Any ideas? (other than don't use your brakes as much, which would mean not using the throttle, which would end the reason for said griff :-) )
Its just a cleaning job that I hate... wax etc.. no problem but alloys are just a bind...
Any ideas? (other than don't use your brakes as much, which would mean not using the throttle, which would end the reason for said griff :-) )
www.wheelwax.co.uk/home.htm
Edited by griffski on Tuesday 13th June 16:22
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