Where do I start with these wheels?

D

Dane Guy

New member
Sorry, no pictures yet but I will put some up tonight.



These are wheels from a BMW and they have several years of brake dust and tar on them. I don't think they've ever been really cleaned so the stuff is probably baked on.



I hit them with some Armor All Triple Action and that just removed some surface dust. They're still pretty bad.



Is acid the way to go?



Thanks!
 
I'm not sure I could get a clay bar in between all the spokes. I hate spokes!!





Here's the type of wheel I'm talking about:



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How about a APC cleaner? Let it soak a couple of minutes. If that does not work your going to have to use a agressive polish on them. Good Luck
 
TARMINATOR.



Spray, soak, scrub, repeat.



Works very well on both brake dust and tar.



If the brake dust has etched itself into the paint.... :scared::scared::scared: ... it's too late (you'll still be able to get them "fairly" clean, but the etched holes with still be there.)
 
Luster said:
TARMINATOR.



Spray, soak, scrub, repeat.



Works very well on both brake dust and tar.



If the brake dust has etched itself into the paint.... :scared::scared::scared: ... it's too late (you'll still be able to get them "fairly" clean, but the etched holes with still be there.)
Click to expand...





I wasn't even thinking about the Tarminator. I love this stuff....always keep a case on hand!
 
Luster said:
TARMINATOR.



Spray, soak, scrub, repeat.



Works very well on both brake dust and tar.



If the brake dust has etched itself into the paint.... :scared::scared::scared: ... it's too late (you'll still be able to get them "fairly" clean, but the etched holes with still be there.)
Click to expand...



How does that compare with something like Meguiar's Wheel Brightener?
 
Street5927 said:
I wasn't even thinking about the Tarminator. I love this stuff....always keep a case on hand!
Click to expand...



The first thing I look for on a customer's car is TAR!



I've learned a couple valuable lessons by giving someone a quote and then got stuck cleaning tar for 3 hours before I ever started my detail!!!!:nono



(Never again:nomore:... now I charge by the hour!!! ) :LOLOL
 
Dane Guy said:
How does that compare with something like Meguiar's Wheel Brightener?
Click to expand...



As someone stated (above), Meg's Wheel Brightner is acid-based...



It actually etches the clearcoat on the wheels, removes dirt, etc.



What I'm saying is that TARMINATOR will remove the brake dust and the tar without any acid... Tarminator is solvent-based.... therefore no harm done.
 
Not to get off topic, but a local body shop uses Kerosene to remove bugs/tar....I am surprised it doesn't hurt the finish...or could it?
 
Luster said:
As someone stated (above), Meg's Wheel Brightner is acid-based...



It actually etches the clearcoat on the wheels, removes dirt, etc.



What I'm saying is that TARMINATOR will remove the brake dust and the tar without any acid... Tarminator is solvent-based.... therefore no harm done.
Click to expand...





Thanks, I'll see if I can get my hands on some before Friday when it will be 60 degrees!
 
One other thought about Acid-Based Wheel Cleaners!... (Just my opinion)...



They can be hazardous to your health.



Years ago I had a car with wire wheel hubcaps. I used an acid based cleaner on them...... with a number of results:



  • It didn't work very well, so I had to scrub them anyway
  • I used a scrub brush (bare-handed)
  • A week or so after use, I would notice that my fingernails were dis-figured (bumps & pits)
  • If you ever spray that stuff on a windy day... take a big GULP of it... you'll wish you hadn't!!!



I have stopped using it and I have very nice nails now.



P.S. GULP too much of that stuff, you're goin' to the hospital.
 
Dane Guy said:
Thanks, I'll see if I can get my hands on some before Friday when it will be 60 degrees!
Click to expand...



60 would be nice for Pittsburgh!



It was 8* here in KC yesterday morning... The high Thursday is supposed to be near 70!!!:chuckle::chuckle::chuckle: We just love it here in the "West-Mid-West" :bounce



Just a few more weeks til we're in prime detailing season!!!!:waxing::waxing::waxing::chuckle:
 
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