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Cleaning your wheels

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Old Oct 12, 2006 | 02:12 PM
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Question Cleaning your wheels

Hey guys.
Was wondering what you guys/gals use to clean the wheels on your cars. I have an IX MR and the BBS wheels are a nightmare to clean. After a while of cleaning them with a towel and using your fingers to get in between all the spokes...your hands/fingers start hurting. And I don't want to use acid because im afraid it'll fade the calipers or carode something.

Is there ANYTHING safe I can just spray and rinse to clean the wheels?
Im strongly considering getting a powerwasher just for my wheels LoL.

BTW, yes I understand that the wheels are dark and you can't see the dust from afar, but I just rather have them clean so they look good when your walking by.
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Old Oct 12, 2006 | 02:15 PM
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meguiar's makes something specifically for non chrome rims.
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Old Oct 12, 2006 | 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by joberk3
meguiar's makes something specifically for non chrome rims.
Spray & rinse?
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Old Oct 12, 2006 | 02:26 PM
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I have used that wheel cleaner before, and it just doesn't seem to get everything off. I mean it does a pretty good job, but if you want them spotless, like me, you will have to do it by hand. The wheel cleaner will get most of the dirt off though, so it is a "head start."
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Old Oct 12, 2006 | 02:34 PM
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[QUOTE=McDougal]...but if you want them spotless, like me, you will have to do it by hand...QUOTE]

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
say it isn't so.
Sorry, I just HATE cleaning them. And they never come out clean if I take it to a car wash.

Maybe I can spray liquid nitrogen on them, let it freeze the brake dust and then just break it apart off the wheel.

Last edited by WWIXMR; Oct 12, 2006 at 02:37 PM.
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Old Oct 12, 2006 | 02:41 PM
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+1 on cleaning your wheels.
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Old Oct 12, 2006 | 02:47 PM
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pressure washer gets EVERYTHING off :P
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Old Oct 12, 2006 | 02:55 PM
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atilla's Avatar
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i use that black magic tire shine stuff... makes the wheels look nice for maybe a week, heh.
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Old Oct 12, 2006 | 04:15 PM
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Elbow grease and a sponge
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Old Oct 12, 2006 | 04:21 PM
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[QUOTE=WWIXMR]
Originally Posted by McDougal
...but if you want them spotless, like me, you will have to do it by hand...QUOTE]

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
say it isn't so.
Sorry, I just HATE cleaning them. And they never come out clean if I take it to a car wash.

Maybe I can spray liquid nitrogen on them, let it freeze the brake dust and then just break it apart off the wheel.
AHHH! You take your Evo to a "Scratch & Swirl?" Please don't do that, no wax can stand up to that abuse.

As for your wheels, it looks like you don't want to work so hard to clean up your rims, but like others have said, it's the only way to do it.

I use a 2 step process, spray em down w/ an APC (like simple green) and let it sit awhile (usually while washing the rest of the car), then rinse it off and go at it w/ a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It takes all the dirt off, and even when your rims look "clean," run this through your rims, and the Magic Eraser will still get filthy.
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Old Oct 12, 2006 | 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by rcl1221
AHHH! You take your Evo to a "Scratch & Swirl?" Please don't do that, no wax can stand up to that abuse.

As for your wheels, it looks like you don't want to work so hard to clean up your rims, but like others have said, it's the only way to do it.

I use a 2 step process, spray em down w/ an APC (like simple green) and let it sit awhile (usually while washing the rest of the car), then rinse it off and go at it w/ a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It takes all the dirt off, and even when your rims look "clean," run this through your rims, and the Magic Eraser will still get filthy.
I wash the car at work(Porsche/Aston dealership) on our car wash. They're very safe and use that microfiber stuff. It's automated and even has a dryer. We have acid sprayer for the wheels but I've only used it a hand of times because I don't want to have my calipers start fading.
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Old Oct 12, 2006 | 04:38 PM
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Has anyone had any experience with this?
http://www.superiorcarcare.net/pbsaw16.html
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Old Oct 12, 2006 | 05:12 PM
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i have the same issue with my stock 14 inch rims, lol jk
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Old Oct 12, 2006 | 07:04 PM
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Almost anything labeled "wheel brush" from a good brand should work fine. Multi-spoked rims definitely aren't any fun to clean huh...
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Old Oct 12, 2006 | 08:36 PM
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Microfiber towels and automotive shampoo are what I use. Everything comes off pretty easy except road tar. I always apply a coat of polymer sealant after washing. Helps keep road tar from sticking to the wheels. If your wheels are really dirty, try P21S wheel cleaner. Not very caustic, but still does a good job.
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