Cleaning Plastic Wheel Covers

[Robert 96]

I have a 07 Honda Civic with the plastic wheel covers. Is there any wheel cleaning product that I can spray on these gray plastic wheel covers that will not damage them yet make it easier to remove the brake dust and road grime? They can really get nasty after a little while and I'm not in the best physical condition ( old ), so its difficult for me to get down there and clean all those little crevices. Any help would be welcomed. Thanks guys.
Robert 96

[JG_Detailing]

Re: Cleaning Plastic Wheel Covers

I spray on tire cleaner and use a tire brush on them.

[Robert 96]

Re: Cleaning Plastic Wheel Covers

Thanks Cobalt. I'll give that a try.
Robert 96

[JG_Detailing]

Re: Cleaning Plastic Wheel Covers

Your welcome!

[imacarnut]

Re: Cleaning Plastic Wheel Covers

you could use this as it's very gentle...



Introducing a safe way to clean delicate wheel and brake components. New Hot Rims Multi Piece Wheel Wash is a non-alkaline, non-acid formula designed to safely remove grime, grit and brake dust from all polished/unpolished aluminum,powder-coated, multi-surface or anodized wheels - also safe on all aftermarket brake components including calipers and rotors. Helps break down stubborn road residue with our Hot Rims unique foaming agents. Our Xtreme Cling™ foam is designed to cling vigorously to vertical surfaces and helps to lift and separate dirt from your wheels.

[MotorcycleDetailing]

Re: Cleaning Plastic Wheel Covers

yea but is the multi piece plastic safe?

[Robert 96]

Re: Cleaning Plastic Wheel Covers

Thanks IMACARNUT. That multi piece stuff sound like it should be mild enough. Does anyone know differant?
Robert 96

[astaticwinter]

Re: Cleaning Plastic Wheel Covers

I've used that also on my old ASA rims that were clearcoated, and it did a great job, never any hint of damaging...so it's nice and safe. I'd say that if it's safe on clearcoat, it'd be safe on plastic hub caps as well.

I gave it a shot on my girlfriends hubcaps on her Escort without any problems, it broke up all the grime, and I used the wheel face brush and it all came off without any problems, so it's nice and strong, but very safe.

Hope this helps.

[Robert 96]

Re: Cleaning Plastic Wheel Covers

Thanks Astaticwinter. All these postitive E-mails are really making me want to go out and clean my wheels. The only problem is that it keeps snowing here in Cincinnati with frigid temps. and lots and lots of road salt! I'm waiting for that first warm day. Thanks again.
Robert 96

[xebola]

Re: Cleaning Plastic Wheel Covers

A while back I had a mishap with a tire cleaner. (non-Megs - what was I thinking?)
Results below:



These stains were tough. Anything by hand would have probably taken 4-5 hours per wheel.
So I used my Dremel, a home made 1-inch pad and M80 to get the stains out.









After the stains were gone I gave them 3 coats of NXT (3 just to be really sure)

They responded really, really well to this process. They are extremely easy to
clean now. Much easier than when I just had NXT on them. Since they have been polished with #80 stuff just doesn't stick as well.

If you try something like this, please use eye protection.
My assembly never flew apart but it could have. Plus at 5000 RPM sling will travel.

[JG_Detailing]

Re: Cleaning Plastic Wheel Covers

A while back I had a mishap with a tire cleaner. (non-Megs - what was I thinking?)
Results below:



These stains were tough. Anything by hand would have probably taken 4-5 hours per wheel.
So I used my Dremel, a home made 1-inch pad and M80 to get the stains out.









After the stains were gone I gave them 3 coats of NXT (3 just to be really sure)

They responded really, really well to this process. They are extremely easy to
clean now. Much easier than when I just had NXT on them. Since they have been polished with #80 stuff just doesn't stick as well.

If you try something like this, please use eye protection.
My assembly never flew apart but it could have. Plus at 5000 RPM sling will travel.

That's a good idea you have there. I would of never thought of that.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Cleaning Plastic Wheel Covers

Xebola great idea. Will have to remember that one. As for cleaning my wheels I guess I have been lucky so far, I use apc diluted 10 to 1 when dry put on a coat of 21 and when I qd the car use a old m/f to also do the wheels.