Wire Wheels Advice

**oregontrail** · 05-13-2012, 12:37 PM

I`m looking for advice about cleaning the wheels of a 1960 Triumph TR3. What sort of brush is best to use? These are 60 spoke wheels and it doesn`t seem as though this will be easy. I have wide white walls as well and am looking for a good product to clean them.

**mrclean81** · 05-13-2012, 02:28 PM

If they are chrome, look into an acid based cleaner like Eagle One A to Z wheel cleaner. Acid based cleaners where originally formulated for wire wheels and make it an easy process.

**Concours.John** · 05-13-2012, 03:38 PM

A fairly stiff but soft bristle paint brush or the Megs detail brush helps alot. As mention Eagle One is a good OTC cleaner. Jacking the vehicle up so you can spin the wheel makes cleaning easier I use a block of wood wrapped in blue Jean or shop towels on a floor jack to prevent marring the frame. Make sure the doors are shut good first Triumphs do twist. Foam swabs are also handy to get around the spokes or a finger wrapped in a MF. Compressed air helps in drying.

Wires if they are bad are easiest cleaned off the vehicle.

At least they are not outer laced Borani`s they are a real PITA.(bare aluminum barrel which scratches easily)

**Midnight1700** · 05-13-2012, 11:52 PM

Go to a motorcycle shop (Harley Davidson) and pick up their spoke cleaning cloth strips. They are perfect for cleaning spokes. If needed, ask the sales person for advice on using them. You`ll be amazed on how well these work. Cost is only around $10.00.

**oregontrail** · 05-14-2012, 06:58 AM

Fortunately they aren`t bad. This is a fair weather car only. We decided not to put a top on it after it was restored. Is Eagle One something I can get at NAPA? What effect will it have one the white walls? The idea to get spoke cleaning strips from a Harley Dealer is a real interesting one. Thanks guys, this will really help.

**Todd@RUPES** · 05-14-2012, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by oregontrail

Fortunately they aren`t bad. This is a fair weather car only. We decided not to put a top on it after it was restored. Is Eagle One something I can get at NAPA? What effect will it have one the white walls? The idea to get spoke cleaning strips from a Harley Dealer is a real interesting one. Thanks guys, this will really help.

Are the spokes painted, chromed, or aluminum? This is while change what cleaner is best to use.

As far as white walls, it really depends on the type of white wall. Back in the old days tires had white walls because that is the natural color of the rubber. Some white walls still use the originally un-dyed rubber.

Most whitewalls nowadays are nothing more than a white vinyl paint applied over the tire, so it is possible to strip the the dye off and end up with a black tire. Again the construction will best dictate the cleaning process.

**Concours.John** · 05-14-2012, 07:40 AM

Originally Posted by oregontrail

Fortunately they aren`t bad. This is a fair weather car only. We decided not to put a top on it after it was restored. Is Eagle One something I can get at NAPA? What effect will it have one the white walls? The idea to get spoke cleaning strips from a Harley Dealer is a real interesting one. Thanks guys, this will really help.

When cleaning wires you`ll find a mini arsenal of swabs and brushes are real handy. Another tool is Slick Stixs, Griots sells a comparable version they are reusable detail sticks with different tips that come in a kit.
Assuming your wheels are chrome Wesley`s Bleache Wite is great for white walls with a brush to scrub.(don`t use on painted or bare aluminum)

Westleys and Eagle one are available through most general auto parts stores and Wal Mart, not sure about Napa.

8 of the vechicles I deal with have wires so I can understand. Wires are like black they are more time consuming to keep up but look great when clean.