Cleaning crud off wheels?

[GINA]

What is this crud in the corner of my wheels, is it just brake dust built up over the years? I can't seem to find anything to clean it. Help?

[FineExampl]

It looks like tar. Soak it in some WD40. To prevent runoff, try laying a layer or two of paper towel over it and spray the poop out of it. It won't ruin the wheels, just keep it off the brakes and you'll be fine. If it's tar it'll dissolve.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

I'd recommend getting a bottle of Meguire's "Medallion" Paint Cleaner from your nearest automotive refinishing supply store, this is designed to be used on some of the finest paint finishes and should do the trick.

I would not recommend using a lubricating solvent like WD40 etc. on painted finishes because it wasn't designed for this and could cause adverse effects.

[FineExampl]

I would not recommend using a lubricating solvent like WD40 etc. on painted finishes because it wasn't designed for this and could cause adverse effects.
That's not entirely true though. We've had this discussion before on the org. WD40 is actually pretty safe on paint. You may want to slap some wax on it afterward, but it shouldn't harm the finish from what i'm told. :confused:

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

That's not entirely true though. We've had this discussion before on the org. WD40 is actually pretty safe on paint. You may want to slap some wax on it afterward, but it shouldn't harm the finish from what i'm told. :confused:

For clarity sake, what exactly is it about my reply to this thread that prompts you to say,
"That's not entirely true though"?

[FineExampl]

For clarity sake, what exactly is it about my reply to this thread that prompts you to say,
"That's not entirely true though"?
Because it has been said here on the org that occasionally car collectors have been known to wipe their cars down with WD40 before long periods of storage. My god man, i'm just stating what i've heard here in this very forum. Sheesh.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Because it has been said here on the org that occasionally car collectors have been known to wipe their cars down with WD40 before long periods of storage. My god man, i'm just stating what i've heard here in this very forum. Sheesh.


I'm not trying to pick an argument here so there's no need to get excited, you've mentioned what others may have said about the use of WD40, however you still have not explained exactly what you were referring to when you stated "That's not entirely true though" in regards to my original (first) reply to this thread................ My question is simple.. (??)

[FineExampl]

Nah bro. I'm done.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Plainly there is nothing in my first reply to this thread that required such a reply as was given by FineExampl.

There is no reasonable basis for his response to my reply, this is why he had no reasonable answer as to why he made the response in the first place.

I never said that WD40 wouldn't clean the wheel grime, I never said that WD40 would damage the wheel(s), I only recommended that WD40 not be used on painted surfaces because it's not designed for this kind of application and it could cause adverse results.

I made only recommendations based on many years of experience, when dealing with painted surfaces it is wise to exercise caution because falure to do so might yield costly results.

The paint cleaner that I mentioned or a good quality liquid wax like The Wax shop is your safest bet, soak the grime with this or use multiple applications if you need to and this should remove the grime.

If you wax your wheels reasonably often after washing your car, this should reduce a contaminants ability to stick making it easier to remove stains in the future.

[Lnzbug]

See ya learn something new every day. I have never waxed my wheels. Is it something to be done often? I thought the wheels would get too hot. Too hot for what I don't know. I just never thought to wax the wheels.

[GINA]

Ok boys, chill out.

Thanks for your help, both of you :) I'll try to clean them off sometime this week. So did we determine if it's tar or brake dust or some other junk? I guess it's hard to tell just with pics.

[Oyveychris]

Gina,
I had the same crap on my wheels and used Meguiars Hot Rims/Cool Care and it came right off. Make sure your wheels are completely cool before you spray it on though, then use soap/water after you've hosed the wheels off.

[manoverboard987]

it could either be tar or, like on my wheels, axle grease from either a CV boot or a wheel bearing. that doesn't mean anything's wrong with either of those; some grease always finds it way out of wherever you put it.

since you're looking to wax your wheels at the same time, might i recommend (and i'm surprised FineExampl hasn't yet) Mother's PowerBall and PowerMetal polish. hook it into a cordless drill, squeeze on the polish and you're good to go.

http://www.mothers.com/products/productcatalog/productpics/PowerGroup.jpg

[FineExampl]

since you're looking to wax your wheels at the same time, might i recommend (and i'm surprised FineExampl hasn't yet) Mother's PowerBall and PowerMetal polish. hook it into a cordless drill, squeeze on the polish and you're good to go.

http://www.mothers.com/products/productcatalog/productpics/PowerGroup.jpgActually, it was going to be in one of my posts, but i guess i got "excited" a bit back there. :rolleyes:

Yeah, i researched the old thread about tar removal. The exact process that was recommended was that WD40 WILL remove the tar, but MAY also remove the layer of protective wax and any use of said product should be followed by a good wax. It was also said that the Wax Shop also makes great products that can help with this stuff as well. I guess i just don't know anything though.

I'm a diehard supporter of the Powerball and have both versions and will sing it's praises forever. The Powermetal stuff is fantastic as well. My wheels haven't looked this good since i drove off the lot nearly 4 years ago.

Actually, before i got my orbital buffer/polisher i was considering buying a 3rd Powerball for the rest of the car and maybe a 4th for rubbing compound. It's that damn good. However, for $10 more than a powerball i got the orbital which will be used for body. Powerball will be used for the hard to reach spots....like wheels.

[manoverboard987]

However, for $10 more than a powerball i got the orbital which will be used for body.

my one-per-thread off topic (yet kinda related) contribution:

what kind of buffer did u get and where did u get it that cheap?

[FineExampl]

my one-per-thread off topic (yet kinda related) contribution:

what kind of buffer did u get and where did u get it that cheap?Target and it's a Black & Decker. $29.99 baby!

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

It's hard to say for sure but that grime is most likely a combination of road film and brake dust along with the contaminants that were mentioned by others here, common chemical build up for the area compounded by being baked on by the heat of the wheel(s) and sun.

Competant wheel specialists will tell you to put a good coat of quality wax on your painted/powder coated wheels when you first get them (the heat of the wheels will not effect the wax) and then periodically wax them after washing them throughout the life of the wheels, just like you should your your car.

This will keep them looking pristine, add durability to the finish and make it more difficult for contaminants to stick and cause surface damage which should make them easier to clean.

[iScott]

Nah bro. I'm done.haha... John, you silly bitch.

[dalethompson]

Looks like it may be pitting... which means that no amount of cleaner will get it out. If brake dust is left on the wheels for too long, pitting will eventually happen and the only way to get them back to the original finish is to have them sandblasted and repainted again :(

I'm not saying your wheels are indeed pitted, it just looks like it a bit, especially when it's in those tricky corners. Hope it's not but try to get some Brasso and an old toothbrush (soft bristles only) and see if it comes off with that (don't be afraid to scrub really hard either. Btw, Brasso is completely safe... if you can use it to clean your ipod, war medals and fine silverware, it'll work just fine on your wheels :)

-Dale

[FineExampl]

Brasso on painted surfaces??? I wouldn't try that. I've had Brasso ruin many a surface. I used to use it on my old uniform back in the day from my former social activity. It's also a HARSH chemical. I havent used Brasso in years though. I know it wasn't good to use on my medals, that's for sure.

[GINA]

Shut up John you don't know anything, remember? :p

[FineExampl]

I know. I'll behave.

[58ragtop]

if the stuff does not come off with a simple degreaser, then i would get some wheel spoke cleaner (wheel acid), most likely it's built up brake dust, you might need to hit it a couple times.
ive used to own and run a detail shop for years, just so you know i do know what im talking about and not shoot from the hip :-)
you might want to go through the yellow pages and find a detail suply place....hella lot cheaper then buying it from the retail stores.

[dalethompson]

I think you maybe are thinking of something else other than Brasso then... it's not that harsh or strong. Like I mentioned before, if you can use it on your ipod (to clean and buff out scratches) and cd's/dvd's, then I think using it on wheels wouldn't be an issue. Look at what's in the wheel cleaners you buy at the autostore... tell me those aren't as hazardous or worse than Brasso. And when I say to use it, I'm not instructing anyone to pour it on by the gallon, I'm saying to use an old soft bristle toothbrush and dab it into the jar. Brasso is basically just a mild abrasive... metal polishers are pretty much the same thing too. If Gina wants to try this or doesn't want to, then it's totally up to her... I'm just giving my two cents basically :)

I've used it on my car's wheels and chrome for years... never had an issue with ruining anything at all... and just so you know, Brasso is pretty much the choice for cleaning anything metallic in the Canadian Armed Forces (has been for years)

[GINA]

I appreciate all the suggestions, I'll let you know what I use and how it goes in a few days :)

[Lnzbug]

Try using a toothpick to get all the way into the corner.

[Yllwtrb]

I got 4 letters for you.

P21S

http://www.p21s.com/products/bis_wc1.html

[manoverboard987]

I got 4 letters for you.

P21S

http://www.p21s.com/products/bis_wc1.html

2 and 1 aren't letters, silly. :D

[Yllwtrb]

2 and 1 aren't letters, silly. :D

:thewave:

[FineExampl]

Gina...try Greased Lightning. Cleaned all my wheel gunk off with one or two good doses.

[WNAB911]

An auto detailer I was speaking with recently said to drive your car for a while, stopping frequently to heat the brakes/rims, then use a spray on oven cleaner. Supposedly it will take off even the worst baked in brake dust accumulations.

I haven't tried it yet, but I will before my new rims come to see how it works.

[iScott]

I used that Meguire's stuff mentioned earlier and it did a good job of cleaning. But you have to scrub pretty well and it did NOT, in my case, get the really heavy gunk off.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Don't know what to tell you about why the products/procedure mentioned didn't work for you, the care process that I mentioned has work extremely well for me for many many years.

Below is a picture of one of my five year old BBS front wheels that has seen speeds of over 130mph and has been exposed to all the elements of nature and man during that time, I've maintained these wheels and all of my previous wheels as I discribed in earlier replies.

I chose to show you a front wheel because the fronts get the worse beating, due to my maintenance practises, I've never had any difficulty in cleaning my wheels and keeping them looking new.

[iScott]

The gunk on my wheels is minimal... but it's also probably about 100k miles old. I'll keep trying stuff and pass any info along.

[Jeremy Toaster]

I have one of those SHARK steam cleaner things, I use a mixture of Vinegar/Water/Dishsoap in a spray bottle (this is our only house cleaner we use along with baking soda, environmental friendly and kid safe and 100% germ killer). I spray this onto the wheels while I have the steamer heating up. Once it has sat a bit, I then use the steamer to blast out that nasty blackness that builds up on the wheels especially in the hard to reach corners. Also use a stick brush with the baking soda to do the scrubbing.

[oneighturbo]

its just a combination of all brake/road etc

its a bitch after its cooked on. time and effort will get it off.

P21s is a great product

heres a nice commerce site for some of the top porducts along with how-tos etc

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/tires---wheels.html
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-wheels.html

this looks rebranded/designed but ive got the "wheel wax" and its awesome
http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/americanracing/wheel_wax.jsp