my 1st attempt at alloy wheel cleaning

[danger S3]

so I had all 4 wheels off yesterday it looks like the previous owner had never cleaned inside the wheels and they were covered in thick black grease and brake dust.

I just used soapy water, a sponge and a green scowery sponge thingy. that managed to clean off alot of the grime but they were still black and filthy.

I was in Halfords this morning and found myself in the wheel cleaning section and ended up getting myself:
Auto glym - Hi Tech Wheel Brush
and
Turtle Wax - Extreme Nano Tech wheel cleaner

Here is what the wheel looked like before I started

so after about 4 sprays and hard brushing with rinsing in between each one the worked area looked like this

the remainder of the crap doesn't seem to wanna shift. does anyone have any ideas?

i was also thinking of just getting them refurbed back to original as there is some corrosion and bubbling on the inside of the wheels. not sure how to go about doing that though

 

[reptor245]

I use the same Brush. It works a treat and gets into all the small places.. Not sure about the cleaner tho as it doesnt look like its made much or a improvment TBH.. i use Turtle Wax Platinum Wheel Cleaner.

 

[Dazboss]

Auto glym - Wheel Cleaner with the orange label great stuff

 

[Dansmith]

are you sure thats oil and crap and not where the lacker has come off?

 

[The Doctor]

Auto glym - Wheel Cleaner with the orange label great stuff

Just don't leave this one on too long, as it is an acidic cleaner and could damage the lacquer; this happened to me on a previous car when using this cleaner. If you follow the instructions and rinse off after max 1 minute it's fine though.

 

[1animal1]

first things first, leave most halfords products alone.....over priced mostly and largely consumer crap.... get over to polishedbliss site and have a look at the wheel cleaning guide....

personally i use Autotardis first after washing to remove any tar/contaminents, then follow up with a wheel cleaner like megs wheel brightener or autobrites very cherry - then clay bar the wheels and finally seal with a decent sealer

do not use scouring pads as you will break the surface and most likely cause it to bubble sooner, anything abrahasive is generally a very last resort

good look matey...nobody said car wheel cleaning was easy

 

[jesters3]

Second vote for Autotardis

 

[1animal1]

i have found though that even autotardis struggles with a lot of the caked on stuiff, several applications maybe required - but i honestly beleive it is the best on the market - it does strip the wax/sealant though so dont forget to wash afterwards and reseal

 

[bhavin1986]

I use Bilberry wheel cleaner. Works brilliantly. I order everything from cleanyourcar.co.uk. I bought a bottle last summer for around £8 and still have almost half left since it needs diluting before use. And there's no acid to worry about removing lacquer etc.

 

[1animal1]

No but i think Bilbery is alkaline and so has the same effect as acid IIRC..... same goes for the very cherry that autobrite offer..... i use it diluted, sprayed onto the wheels via a manual foam bottle for every wash then pressure wash.

i have tried it recently without the very cherry and get the same results - ie the same amount of dirt removed via the PW....once my 5 litres is up i aint gettin no more except for proper (wheels off) wheel cleaning

 

[sportquattro]

Bilberry wheel cleaner is the stuff to use, its safe on alloys as non acid/alkali and does a cracking job, for really stubbon stains use Megs wheel brightner which is mildly acidic.


Hope this helps
Nige

 

[s3 Hoggy]

One more vote for Billberry, I think its great stuff! The best wheel cleaner in halfords I would say is AG clean wheels

 

[s3dave]

smart wheels by autosmart powerful stuff, just make sure its washed off!!

 

[s3 Hoggy]

smart wheels by autosmart powerful stuff, just make sure its washed off!!

Just got 4 liters of this stuff off my local AS rep so thats good to hear!

 

[G60DAN]

muc off is the way to go it's made with non acid/alkali works well for me.

 

[1animal1]

No but i think Bilbery is alkaline and so has the same effect as acid IIRC..... same goes for the very cherry that autobrite offer..... i use it diluted, sprayed onto the wheels via a manual foam bottle for every wash then pressure wash.

i have tried it recently without the very cherry and get the same results - ie the same amount of dirt removed via the PW....once my 5 litres is up i aint gettin no more except for proper (wheels off) wheel cleaning

ok chaps hands up....bilberry and very cherry are both neutral

 

[Y83OLK]

Another vote for smart wheels here. Make sure you dont spray it near hot brake discs though, the fumes are aweful.

 

[mattyboy199]

wonder wheels all the way !