Meguiar's Hot Rims??

[ACURA95]

I think my question is fairly easy to answer. A few days ago I polished my rims with mothers aluminum polish/wax. This morning I decided to clean my car and of course started with the rims and tires. I used hot rims on the first tire and it worked well even though the rims werent that bad. After rinsing the first one I noticed it was no longer beading but thought it was first surface tension. After cleaning the second one, it also stopped beading.

Then I started to think am I removing the protection I just applied a few days ago. The third rim I cleaned with soap and water and it beaded up nicely.

At this point, I called meguiars cust. serv. and they told me I just removed the mothers. This confused me because it states clearly on the bottle of hot wheels spray that "Hot Rims is safe for chrome, clear-coated, polished and unpolished aluminum and factory painted wheels". To me that means it will not mothers.

Any experience with this will be appreciated.

TIA

[blkZ28Conv]

Most wheel cleaners will remove wax and sealants when used. That is why I only use this type of product on a daily driver that has acquired a dirt firm that will not be easily wash off with the residual of my car shampoo.

Just re-coat with mother's and your beading should return.

[Mike Phillips]

Hi ACURA95,

Most wheel cleaners strong enough to remove brake dust and road grime are going to be strong enough to remove a protective coating. Maybe not all of it, but enough that you will notice, as you did.

One recommendation, actually two,

M-3616 Wheel Cleaner
Gold Class All Wheel Cleaner

These are both non-acid wheel cleaners and very safe for all surfaces. Another thing a lot of people do is just use their car wash solution with a good brush.

Mike

[Aurora40]

FYI, "polished and unpolished" means the aluminum itself is rough-cut or else highly polished. It doesn't refer to a layer of polish/wax on the wheel.

Hot Rims is fairly aggressive and will take wax right off. So would Eagle 1 A2Z. Most wheel cleaners would.

You can always use car wash to clean your wheels if they don't get that dirty (as Edwin said). I'd also suggest #36 Hi-Tech Wheel Cleaner. It is better than car wash at breaking up brake dust, but is still quite gentle. I find it does not remove (or at least not completely) the Klasse or MPPP that I usually use on my wheels. They still feel slick and protected and still bead. It's my favorite wheel cleaner, though I can't recall one single other person on the board mentioning they use it...

[ACURA95]

Thanks for the advice guys. Ill just recoat the two wheels I used the hot wheels spray on. I might place an order with meguiars so Ill keep the #36 in mind.

thanks again.