Cleaning Wheels

WazzuCoug · 07-14-2005, 11:28 AM

I usually use soap and water to clean my rims, followed by the usual tire black.

Anyone use a wheel polish they are fond of, or am I making a product up? I assume there is a something out there that takes sparkly clean to the next level. Educate me...

BigBlackTruck · 07-14-2005, 11:49 AM

Assuming they are the std. painted finish not chrome, you could use wax, or one of the "spray wax" products from and of the big makers, mothers, meguiars, etc. If chome I have heard good things from the mothers powerball, and threir chrome polish.

SickWhip · 07-14-2005, 11:51 AM

Would using a wax cut down on brake dust?

**BULLTITAN** · 07-14-2005, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SickWhip

Would using a wax cut down on brake dust?

Thats damn good question because i'm in the market to purchase some ceramic brakes "dustless"

Clancy · 07-14-2005, 01:41 PM

I've found that a little Simple Green sprayed on the wheels a few minutes before you hit them w/soap & water works wonders! (It probably strips wax though)

BigBlackTruck · 07-14-2005, 01:43 PM

Well I dont know, "maybe" slight difference, but I would imagine you could rinse them every other or I do every few days (or as needed if the rest of the truck is still clean) to keep clean as the dust dose'nt stick as well to them when waxed. This is based on my results, I use some meguiars nxt wax, and a meguiars "quik wax" spray for touch up's after washing, I didnt have to use wheel cleaner any more to get the dust off either, just a mild car wash solution. Of course I have stock pads, and the 18" wheels the OR wheels would be a BI**H to wax, so since I am fairly lazy I would just use the spray. Hope this has helped.

tweety · 07-15-2005, 11:12 AM

To clean the wheels/tires, I use Simple Green followed by the basic wash product that I use on the paint.
Then I take a nylon detailer brush that you can find in the household section of any store and clean the rubber. Nylon so if you hit the rims it won't scuff them. This is the same brush that you would use on your tubs and sinks. Oversized potato brush.
Anyway...
When the wheels and tires are clean and dry, blow them out with air hose if you have it, I put Eagle One Endurance Gel on the tires. It looks and smells like grape jelly. It comes with a shaped applicator to match the tires. I put 2 good coats per tire. Start on one side, work around to the other and back giving it enough time to start in. Then take a crappy rag that you don't care about and lightly wipe off any excess that is in the grooved part of the tire molding and in between the lettering.
This stuff doesn't fling off unless you put a ton on and then it's wasting it.
This Gel stays on through rain and washing. The package claims 10 days. I redo the tires every other wash.
Wax your rims with the same stuff that you would use on the paint. Does it help with the dust? Not really. Get your new brake set up on there. It has helped like you wouldn't believe.

IMADOGMAN · 07-15-2005, 11:22 AM

This was recommended in a previous post...I haven't tried it yet...has anyone?

http://www.wheelwax.com/

Clancy · 07-15-2005, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMADOGMAN

This was recommended in a previous post...I haven't tried it yet...has anyone?

http://www.wheelwax.com/

I was going too, but then I tried Simple Green and it made it a moot point...

rjspitz · 07-15-2005, 12:07 PM

Wheelwax is a good option. Another, and easier option is rejex. I use this on all my wheels and on the front end of my GF's car. Bugs just wipe off and brake dust comes off with just a wipe with a damp cloth. Plus it lasts over 6 months.
I don't use the rejex on my cars because they are covered with 3M PPF, no need.
The rejex applies very easily and is even easer to buff out.

A better smelling option to Simple Green is Orange Blast.

GETSOMZ28 · 07-15-2005, 12:55 PM

Another simple green user here. Though if I am waxing the truck, I usually do the wheels too.

WazzuCoug · 07-15-2005, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GETSOMZ28

Another simple green user here. Though if I am waxing the truck, I usually do the wheels too.

Just so I understand... You use car wax on your wheels? Do you have aftermarket rims?

GETSOMZ28 · 07-18-2005, 08:35 AM

Yup! Any car wax will be fine on the wheels. I have the stockers, but do this on all of my vehicles (one has polished aluminum). Any car wax/sealant should be fine on the wheels.

flipper · 07-19-2005, 09:19 AM

I just tried Blue Magic Aluminum Mag Polish and the this stuff removed streaks and dull film left by leaving liquid wheel cleaner on too long. Not to mention a brand new polish look to my Mickey Thompson polished aluminum wheels. I do suggest you take the wheel of to polish as it does need plenty of elbow grease.

Vyrus · 07-19-2005, 10:44 AM

For cleaning any type of wheel, the new Eagle wheel/tire cleaner (successor to the famous AtoZ) is excellent. I'm not a fan of any of their products, but it is well known on the detailing boards that this is a safe cleaner which does an efficient job of removing brake dust from nooks and crannies.

For protecting them just put any type of car wax on them as said above. My advice to you is to use a wax that turns white when it dries (not all do). This way you will catch any left over residue since it's harder to see on a wheel than a flat, shiny body panel.

Meguair's NXT is my favorite since it contains a slight abrasive compound to get any small scratches off. It will last about 3 months and is very, very easy to apply. Also it's cheap and available everywhere.

-Cyrus