What to use on these wheels?

[basementgeek]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid175/p4e8acf7cce326154ef11e3c15b2ec183/f37ca8f8.jpg



I haven`t cleaned these wheels for a year! :o I just used Orange Blast Greased Lightning x3 AND Eagle One Tire and Wheel cleaner,with a brush and the inside of my rims still look like crap! And I scrubbed like hell.



Is there a product or technique that you`ve used that could help me? I`m looking at Wheel Wax or P21S but figured I`d stop lurking and ask the Autopians before I buy something that doesn`t work.



Thanks for your help.

[imported_hadboosttroy]

that`s after cleaning?!? if that is the case, try clay or steel wool.

[stevet]

i can`t see the pic.

[imported_Sullybob]

Are they polished rims or painted? Its hard to tell from the picture. I would clay first. If that doesnt` work try some 000 steel wool and a metal polish like Mothers. Have you tried a paint polish on them?

[basementgeek]

Yes that AFTER cleaning with 2 different cleaners and scrubbing!



The wheels are OE from a Mazda Protege 5. I think the inside of the wheels ( that`s what the picture is ) is just bare cast aluminium and the face of the wheel is polished and cleared? Not sure though.



Here`s a closer pic.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid176/p7c573a0757790e8caa7e5f3195b7433d/f358ad4a.jpg

You can see what looks like pitting. It was there before I used the cleaners.

[Tasty]

Close up pic not working.

[imported_themightytimmah]

I`d probably hit it with acid. In your case, you might want to try a polish instead. PB`s Pro Polish is a great chemical polish, stronger than AIO. Or if its real bad, maybe a gelcoat cleaner polish made for boats.

[Alfisti]

What pictures?

[basementgeek]

What pictures?



Should be working. I can see them. Imagestation might have been down?

I`ll attach some pics to this post in case others have issues.



Thanks for the suggestions so far guys! Looks like I`ll have to get mediaeval on these things.

[paco]

It appears to me that the brake dust has embedded itself into the clearcoat of the painted wheels. That`s probably why no cleaner type of product is working. You`re probably going to have to polish it out if you really want to get them clean.



Be careful though, you don`t want to go through the clear or you`ll end up with premature clear failure inside your rims which leads to a lot of peeling.



I`d hit it with a light abrasive type of polish or chemical type cleaner like Klasse AIO. See how far you get then try and get the rest off with clay. I personally wouldn`t try and hit 100% removal. You can treat them the same way you do your paint.



I`d then top off with several layers of a high quality sealant (Z2Pro, SG, No. 21, FMJ etc.) and at the final step, put down some RainX wheel protectant.



Paco

[imported_NHBFAN]

If you use #000 steel wool you`ll go through the clearcoat ... don`t know if that matters.

[imported_Sullybob]

If you use #000 steel wool you`ll go through the clearcoat ... don`t know if that matters.

Would #0000 steel wool go through the clear as well?




I think the inside of the wheels ( that`s what the picture is ) is just bare cast aluminum and the face of the wheel is polished and cleared? Not sure though.



I would get some aluminum polish and try it on a small spot. If the rag turns black it isn`t clear coated. It might be a moot point though, it might be nearly impossible to tell if it is brake dust or aluminum oxidation coming off until you get all of the embedded brake dust off.

[basementgeek]

Thanks for all the replies guys!



I did some testing with aluminium polish and found that the inner wheel is NOT cleared but the polished front face IS cleared.



Does this mean I should only use non-acid cleaners and steel wool/elbow grease on the uncoated side, or do you think acid is ok if i`m careful?

[imported_Sullybob]

I could be wrong but I think that acid will damage your aluminum wheels.