Need a serious wheel cleaner

[iDetail]

I have 17" 5ziegen wheels on my car and I haven`t cleaned them very often. They kinda looked better dirty (darker bronze.) but now that I have tried cleaning them I have noticed that there is this gunk on them that just will not come off. And I have no idea what it is. Its definitely not brake dust. I have taken my steam gun to them. Nothing.



What product can take this stuff off without hurting the finish on the wheels? It doesnt look like corrosion, its above the finish. Which makes me think it can be taken off. Also, what the hell is it?

[medic159]

Are they clearcoated? Could that be clearcoat failure?

[bwalker25]

maybe I am wrong but that looks strangely like failed clear coat.....



edit: spiderweb cracks or a sign of clear coat failure

[VroomVroom]

That`d be my vote. I`ve seen similar on a set of Konig wheels. That your steamer didn`t have any effect seems to support this as well.

[imported_themightytimmah]

Yep, CC failure. Only a strip and re-clear or strip and polish will fix it.

[bamorris2]

In the (unlikely) event that it is NOT cc failure, you could always take an agressive clay bar to it.

[iDetail]

In the (unlikely) event that it is NOT cc failure, you could always take an agressive clay bar to it.

I`ll try anything apart from getting them re-sprayed. Im selling the car and want to keep the costs of getting this thing in good shape down to a minimum.

[VroomVroom]

Good luck, but I dont think there is anything else. Maybe craigslist or other classifieds to see if someone might be willing to trade? I don`t know much about those wheels, but maybe there`s someone looking for a set and this could be a win-win. Good luck...

[imported_themightytimmah]

I`ll try anything apart from getting them re-sprayed. Im selling the car and want to keep the costs of getting this thing in good shape down to a minimum.

Sand off the failure and polish out. Start with 1000 grit to 2000, then polish with a rotary and 4" pads.