Wheels hard to clean

[bigface]

I can never seem to get my wheels clean 100% there oftem seems to be a colouring where the spokes meet the outside rim of the wheel, i use PM3 at the minute to clean them but do i need more elbow grease or is there something out there that can solve my problems??

thanks for any help

MOK

[Scotty]

Do you protect them after a clean or just clean them?

I use Autoglym's EGP on the wheels and it makes cleaning them dead easy.

(sorry - maybe doesn't help)

[rottenbend]

Scotty's right - If you want to do the job properly then get them really clean using a strong wheel cleaner like Meg's Wheel Brightener (or a similar product), seal them using a product like Carlack 68 (which also cleans at the same time and is good at removing tar etc) and then wax them - I use Collinite but EGP is just as good.

[bigface]

Usually just wash, so if i wash, glaze, and wax it will do the job? The wheels on the R are horrible to wax etc so i suppose thats why i dont. Its just the fact they are getting hard to clean that im bothered. Ill take a rumble through the old box to see what i have though i do have Collinite somewhere.

[steelwind101]

Hello

I presume you wheels are just the standard clear coat finished wheels? IF so this is just like paint, the discolouration is just on the body of you car. A wheel cleaner might help remove above the surface contamination however, a dedicated paintwork cleaner or polishing containing a paintwork cleaner would be help clean this up and also prep for the next layer of protection.

I would avoid using things like "PM3" as your dedicated wheel cleaner, they really offer little lubrication. Its for loosing dirt rather then being being a product for use between cleaning material and the wheel. Your likely cause swirl marks etc on the wheels which will leave them looking dull.

I would avoid also the use of a "wax" on the wheels, you only have to see how much product changes from a warm day to a cold one in the container (i know before the solvents have gassed off but you get the idea). Once it warms up on the wheels it softens allowing micro particles of brake dust to be coming embedded in it, they causes "greying", as the wheel cools the soften waxes hardens encapsulating the dirt leaving them looking grey and less shiney.

Synthetic products such as FK1000P, AG Extra Gloss Protection, Klasses Sealant or variant are all better altenatives.

You mention your wheels are a pain to clean and apply product too, this is why i suggest once cleaned you get yourself some Extra Gloss Protection for the protective layer. Its as thin as water, a small amount can be put in a spray bottle and lightly sprayed on to the wheels. Finger pockets like these from Motorgeek should make application in tight areas a breeze.

You say "glaze and wax" you need to ensure you have a chemical cleaner, this is not present in all glazes. Examples of what you need: Poorboys Pro Polish, Super Resin Polish, Klasses AIO.

Geoff

[Andrew]

Bit of a thread ressurection BUT ... just done a first clean on the M3 and would like a recommedation for the first product I'd use to really loosen the dirt and brake dust on the wheels - they are a right PITA and fiddly. From the above I'd seek to apply AG EGP afterwards but tonight I had to use my little finger to get between the double spokes. Is there also a good brush for scrubbing the wheels too?

[NewNiceMrMe]

I've been using the Chemical Guys wheel protector on both the new wheels of the 6 and MrsMe's car - and it has made a hell of a difference.

Pretty much every bit of grime comes off with the Karcher alone.

[Andrew]

That is once you have cleaned them though isn't it - the protector. Reading old posts it seems that PS21 (or something) gets rave reviews as the thing to clean them in the first place. OR, is your Chemical Guys stuff for cleaning too?

[NewNiceMrMe]

Clean them.

Apply the CG stuff.

Then you won't have to clean them much at all for about a month.

Then, just reapply it every now and again/ That's what I've done anyway and it has worked a treat.

[S3Bangs]

I will recommend an amazing product I came across after not cleaning my car for about 2 months, having pitted dirt and brake dust that would never shift.

Iron X

Smells really foul though but will get rid of everything. After cleaning, then you can protect

Do a search on youtube as well and see it work.. quite unbelievable really but worth it+++

[Cuprabob]

Usually just wash, so if i wash, glaze, and wax it will do the job? The wheels on the R are horrible to wax etc so i suppose thats why i dont. Its just the fact they are getting hard to clean that im bothered. Ill take a rumble through the old box to see what i have though i do have Collinite somewhere.

The Zolder wheels on the R are a real pain to clean, only way to do it right is to periodically take them them off and protect them as advised above.

Thankfully the wheels on my new car, when it comes, are thick spokes with wide gaps and black so you can't see when they are dirty :-)

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

There's also no substitute to washing your wheels frequently. I only wash my wheels with regular car wash suds and dedicated microfibre mit. About once every 10-12 weeks I will use something like Megs Hotwheels.

I hate protecting wheels but actually find Autoglym Alloy Wheel seal (easy aerosol) works fine providing you don't leave them too long between cleans. I washed my car last week and done almost 800 miles this week. They cleaned up very easily. You can get away without even buffing up the AG wheel seal if your're happy to not driove your car for 2-3 hours after application.

[Andrew]

Well, having read the Cambridge thread and seen the results Nathan gets, I'm thinking of getting some Autoglym Custom Wheel cleaner and also some Poorboys sealant. Once the car comes up to Edinburgh I'll do a full day on the thing using some Swissol wax I bought yonks ago.