jimmyjtn Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 any tips for cleaning your wheels? First time with a brand new car, trying to get the detailing basics down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LGT-NY Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Soap and water first to get all the brakes dust and grime off, the any wheel cleaner to really get them shiny. Meguiars is good, but any wheel cleaner will do. http://www.choicewheels.com/_Assets/meguiars_g_9524_rim_wheel_cleaner.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCDetails Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 For the most part it is just a matter of regular cleaning. If they are stained orange or burned black then you may have just neglected them for too long. I use Eagle One wheel and tire cleaner (formerly A2Z) on wheels and tires prior to washing and then I use Meguiar's Quick Wheel Detailer after dressing the tires. That keeps mine looking pretty good and it should work for any wheel that gets cleaned every couple weeks. OCDetails Wheel Detailing Guide _________________________________________ “Cleanliness becomes more important as godliness becomes more unlikely.” O C D E T A I L S . C O M OCDETAILS BLOG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ssej Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Meguiar's always works well for me, and some microfiber towels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubieBlkOut Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I used Goof off. I had the wheels off and all the brake dust was driving me crazy. Tried many household cleaners and Goof off is the only thing that cut through it. Just be in a ventilated area cause I am pretty sure I lost some brain cells. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilh Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I've never had any problems with normal car wash soap on stock wheels. The dust just comes off effortlessly. I just went nearly 3 months without a wash (don't kill me OCDetails!), and this included installation and bedding in of HPS pads, and again the dust just wiped off. I have applied Wolfgang paint sealant to the wheels in the past, but not recently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bdubs Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I have found using a claybar and a coating of wax after you wash helps shed the brake dust off of painted wheels very well. Maybe I'm anal, or I have just seen so many nice Subaru wheels become ruined due to lack of care, but I take mine off after every winter, and hand scrub every crevice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LGT-NY Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Ummm.... you claybar your wheels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCDetails Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Sure, why not? They get contamination on them that can cause them to pit and corrode just as easily as the paint can pick it up. Every surface of your car's exterior could get something out of a little clay treatment once in awhile. Specifically the glass and wheels. That is a great use for clay that has fallen on the ground or is just dirty enough not to be used on paint anymore. _________________________________________ “Cleanliness becomes more important as godliness becomes more unlikely.” O C D E T A I L S . C O M OCDETAILS BLOG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyjtn Posted November 4, 2008 Author Share Posted November 4, 2008 any thoughts on wheel sealants? What would you recommend for the legacy wheels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGTfoLIFE Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I used Goof off. Just be in a ventilated area cause I am pretty sure I lost some brain cells. :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danase Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Danase Assassin will be the best wheel cleaner for really dirty wheels, I'll promise you that. If they are not that dirty you can still use Assassin and just dilute it, which will give you even more bang for your buck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gmoe Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Ummm.... you claybar your wheels? Once or twice a year...sure! Helps keep them from getting stained and makes them much easier to clean. I don't see how that wouldn't make sense to you. Just like any other part of your car...cleaner is better. Esp. a part that is blasted with brake dust all day. I found that Mothers Aluminum polish works great if they've gotten yellowed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LGT-NY Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Hey, more power to ya, I've just never heard of that before. Maybe you know something I don't, I may have to give it a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bdubs Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 It was more an experiment which, actually happened to work out quite well. I'm glad I did it. I also dabble in detailing cars for good friends and family, and an aunt of mine has a 08 volvo S60T R, what a sweet car. But, the pads they use create a horrendous amount of dust. I spent probably an hour between all 4 wheels just getting the dust completely cleaned away. So I finished off with the bar and wax. Just last week I did a final fall detail on the same car, and cleaning the brake dust off this time was so much easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenchan Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 i just use my carwash shampoo and a boar's hair brush. wipe down using Prima Hydro and a soft paper towel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subie_dude05 Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 http://www.mothers.com/02_products/product/images/05100-05101.jpg 2 times a year. it will make the brake dust wash away and get out some stains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilh Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 But most wheels are painted, so why the metal polish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danase Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 http://www.mothers.com/02_products/product/images/05100-05101.jpg 2 times a year. it will make the brake dust wash away and get out some stains. Careful with items like that because I believe they are made for bare metal and not clearcoated metal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subie_dude05 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Careful with items like that because I believe they are made for bare metal and not clearcoated metal. Really? i didn't really even think of that. i have used it on my stock subaru wheels now for a few years. it seems to keep the dust from sticking. thanks for the heads up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gmoe Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 ^ I've used that on my OEM LGT wheels with no problem. The stuff takes out the brown brake dust stains very well. No harm done so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danase Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Yeah, I would just be careful is all. It might not do any damage in the long run but it might. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyjtn Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 how do you know if a rim is clearcoated? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danase Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 how do you know if a rim is clearcoated? You can usually tell by looking at them. Most factory aluminum wheels will have clear on them if they are not painted. Actually most OEM painted wheels will have a clear as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCDetails Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Also, keep in mind that clearcoat is not much more than clear paint. What will hurt paint will also hurt clear. You are best not using anything on your wheels that isn't designed for the type that you have. What may not hurt them today may cause problems a month from now. Painted wheels are pretty tough, but not so tough that you can't hurt them. I wouldn't ever suggest using an aluminum polish on them when you can just as easily use a paint cleaner or, even better, a wheel cleaner designed for painted wheels like the Assassisn product from Danase. You can't go wrong with that. _________________________________________ “Cleanliness becomes more important as godliness becomes more unlikely.” O C D E T A I L S . C O M OCDETAILS BLOG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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