Cleaning Wheels? - Page 2

rebelde33 · 05-09-08, 08:39

I second the EO tire and wheel cleaner. I love that stuff. It cleans so well but if the wheels aren't very dirty just use soap and water to wash them.

abbeysdad · 05-10-08, 05:03

Once you get them clean, if you keep after them then cleaning is no different than washing, watever the method. However, if they have been neglected (mine always get that way in winter), then some more serious cleaning is required. Just like you don't need to shampoo carpet or upholstery everytime you wash, but here 'n there, it's gonna need it.
I've used Wesley's Bleach White, but that stuff is very strong and you can't breathe while you use it or you likely to cough up a lung. I just got some EagleOne to try.
In any case, a good tire and wheel brush may is needed. I've been thinking about something like this (only with a longer extension):
YouTube - Rotary Wheel Cleaning Brush

Accumulator · 05-10-08, 09:30

I keep the wheels on most of our vehicles waxed/sealed and clean 'em with strong Griot's Car Wash mix. On some other vehicles I don't bother LSPing them and just use Griot's Wheel Cleaner. Both approaches seem to work OK and the wheels that I keep LSPed sometimes need *really* cleaned anyhow. I will say that the LSPed wheels look nicer while they're still clean.

In any case, I spritz the wheels with FK425 after every wash.

The Griot's Wheel Cleaner (and P21s too) will work OK diluted, even diluted so much that it doesn't immediately strip off strong LSPs. Better use it full-strength if the wheels are really diry though as it's pretty mild. You can use it for years and years without damaging painted wheels, voice of experience.

abbeysdad · 05-10-08, 04:35

I just used the EagleOne A2Z Tire and Wheel stuff today. It has some bite - got some on my hand an there was a little sting to it. Foamed pretty good and didn't create the nasty vapor you get with Wesley's Bleach White. I sprayed it on at the pay 'n spray, let it dwell a bit and pressure washed it off - you notice it disolving grime on the tires right away but it didn't do all that well inside the spokes on the wheel.

I have one of those Shark steam cleaners so I'm thinking of trying that with simple green next time. These inner areas are tough to get at and when the grime builds it welds itself to the inner rim.

themightytimmah · 05-10-08, 04:42

A good coat of sealant is the key here. I'm sold on Rejex personally, but most any durable sealant will do (Zaino, Opti-Seal, UPGP, Liquid Glass, so forth).

sas71 · 05-10-08, 06:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

I keep the wheels on most of our vehicles waxed/sealed and clean 'em with strong Griot's Car Wash mix. On some other vehicles I don't bother LSPing them and just use Griot's Wheel Cleaner. Both approaches seem to work OK and the wheels that I keep LSPed sometimes need *really* cleaned anyhow. I will say that the LSPed wheels look nicer while they're still clean.

In any case, I spritz the wheels with FK425 after every wash.

The Griot's Wheel Cleaner (and P21s too) will work OK diluted, even diluted so much that it doesn't immediately strip off strong LSPs. Better use it full-strength if the wheels are really diry though as it's pretty mild. You can use it for years and years without damaging painted wheels, voice of experience.

the Griots looks like Simple Green.

technomafia · 05-11-08, 05:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by sas71

if i wash once a week or every other week..do i need to use a wheel cleaner every time or wash with soap first then see what happens?

im waiting on a Foamaster II to get here. i had been using some eagle 1 every time i wash the car. i just dont want to eat the clear off ya know. i guess ill use the FM and clean them good and see what they look like and if i need some cleaner go back over them.

ive been looking at the Griots wheel cleaner, by reading the ad im assuming its a mild cleaner since its BBS approved? after i go through the eagle 1 and hot rims (yes i needed stuff in a pinch and cheap) i may try the Griots or if you guys can recommend a good cleaner i can get a gal container of that is easy on clear coated wheels id appreciate that.

just wash with soap and water. After im done with washing the car and dry everything. I usually have a squirt bottle with the same car soap mixed with warm water. I use that to hit any areas that were missed during the wash process. As long as you clean your wheels every week or 2 they will be easy to maintain.

Accumulator · 05-11-08, 09:28

abbeysdad- Be careful with the Simple Green, wouldn't want you to be like that VW owner who messed up his wheels with the stuff.

Maybe the tough areas need polished

Once I smoothed the finish on those areas (and layered on the KSG) they got a lot easier to clean. Also, not letting the [stuff] build up that much between cleanings can help, though our wheels sometimes get mighty dirty between washes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sas71

the Griots looks like Simple Green.

Good example of how looks can be deceiving; those are two *VERY* different products.

Macruz19 · 05-12-08, 04:08

I don't use harsh wheel cleaners. I just use the car soap that's available to me and my wheels come out clean everytime.

abbeysdad · 05-12-08, 05:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

abbeysdad- Be careful with the Simple Green, wouldn't want you to be like that VW owner who messed up his wheels with the stuff.
Maybe the tough areas need polished

Once I smoothed the finish on those areas (and layered on the KSG) they got a lot easier to clean. Also, not letting the [stuff] build up that much between cleanings can help, though our wheels sometimes get mighty dirty between washes.

I didn't see a VW issue and am having trouble believing that an APC like simple green could really cause a problem. Products like Wesley's Bleach White and EagleOne A2Z seem WAY more caustic to me.
In my case, winter is the tough time when I'll hit the pay 'n spray weekly, but just can't really do detailing diligence. The inner wheel areas behind the spokes that are tough to get at suffer most. Which means they also don't get (LSP) protection either.
I guess I should pull the wheels and do it right, but that seems a little extreme to me.

EisenHulk · 05-12-08, 05:23

Does anyone have any experience with the Wheel Wax brand wheel wax? Redundant, redundant? Haha.

I ordered some from AG, and I have yet to use it. Comments?

Accumulator · 05-12-08, 11:11

abbeysdad- Well, heh heh, by now you know that I *can* be a little extreme to say the least

The minivan's winter wheels are the only ones where I can't reach the back sides at every wash; the other vehicles are cleaned front/back every time. But again, I'm not LSPing the back sides on two of my vehicles, at least not right now; I did still polish them a bit so they'd be smooth and shed dirt more readily though (had one coat of 845 on them but that didn't last all *that* long).

The Simple Green/VW issue was a few years ago and I don't remember the details except that *IIRC* it was about very light, gradual clouding of the finish on factory wheels. I'm not really anti-Simple Green (I have a jug in the shop), but I don't use aggressive stuff on my wheels unless I really need to, and that just doesn't happen except when I buy a used vehicle and need to do that first reconditioning. I've done minor, but irreparable, damage to wheels in great condition with TOL's stronger wheel cleaner (forget the name right now), and that stuff isn't all *that* potent...so I tend to err on the side of caution.