Mercedes wheel problem? (pics)

[98SS]

Have you used anything on your tires that could have got down on the wheel, I have similar looking stains on the clear coated wheels of my Z71. I first thought it was from the wheel cleaner, but I discovered that was overspray from Armor All tire foam that I had been using on my tires.

[Mikeyc]

Wow! Those stains seem to be a serious mystery. I would say definitely DO NOT use a Magic Eraser on those wheels. It says right on the box don't use the Magic Eraser on painted surfaces. The majority of stock german wheels on late model cars are painted silver and clear coated. Megs Wheel Brightener is a good option to try if they re-appear. I haven't come across anything it won't remove.

[Newport Viper]

Originally posted by 98SS
Have you used anything on your tires that could have got down on the wheel, I have similar looking stains on the clear coated wheels of my Z71. I first thought it was from the wheel cleaner, but I discovered that was overspray from Armor All tire foam that I had been using on my tires.

Used Endurance the first time. Can't be that....

[Benny]

either take a layer of clear coat of or something? The colour of the stain has obviously mixed with top layer?.

[aaron33]

Has the coating peeled off? Looks like a mystery. Can you feel anything by hand? Hope NXT metal polysh works. It worked on the uncoated acid damaged rims I just did.

[Tim Lingor]

Originally posted by Newport Viper
I just can't see it Spoiledman.

The first time I detailed the car. I buffed out the wheels with #83. They were perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then I wash the car and the stains reappear?

Can't be possible. Or maybe....

So the wheels did not have any stains after you used the #83?

Somehow, something got on the wheels. Unless the Viper's brake pads have something in them.... Is there anything leaking from the calipers? Look at the backside of the tires for any type of darker stain. Where does the car get parked? Is there a chance that maintenance crews have sprayed something on to the road, accidently hitting the wheels?

We will figure this out!!

Tim

[Newport Viper]

Originally posted by 2hotford
So the wheels did not have any stains after you used the #83?

Somehow, something got on the wheels. Unless the Viper's brake pads have something in them.... Is there anything leaking from the calipers? Look at the backside of the tires for any type of darker stain. Where does the car get parked? Is there a chance that maintenance crews have sprayed something on to the road, accidently hitting the wheels?

We will figure this out!!

Tim

The wheels were perfect after the #83. This is a Mecedes not the Viper.

No leaks. The car is garaged at work and at home. This really is brake dust it just seems to get into the clear coat of the wheels.

Still can't figure it out.

[Andrew]

my .02

hey I am still a newbie but have the same problem on my 02 impala with aluminum wheels, so heres my .02: I clean my wheels with prefered wheel cleaner, then use DC#1 to get the stains out, I use a piece of terry cloth and work it in some, it takes a while but the stains are removed, then I have tried to polish with nxt metal polish only- stains are back by 2nd wash
nxt metal polish, then gold class wax to seal- stains come back by second wash
just wax with gold class- stain comes back in 2weeks.
so I can get rid of it but still do not know what causes it or how to keep from re-occuring so I am with Newport Viper I think it is break dust film mixing into the clear coat somehow. but like I said I am new but since I have this problem thought I should reply my experances so far...

[gbackus]

Re: my .02

Originally posted by Andrew
hey I am still a newbie but have the same problem on my 02 impala with aluminum wheels, so heres my .02: I clean my wheels with prefered wheel cleaner, then use DC#1 to get the stains out, I use a piece of terry cloth and work it in some, it takes a while but the stains are removed, then I have tried to polish with nxt metal polish only- stains are back by 2nd wash
nxt metal polish, then gold class wax to seal- stains come back by second wash
just wax with gold class- stain comes back in 2weeks.
so I can get rid of it but still do not know what causes it or how to keep from re-occuring so I am with Newport Viper I think it is break dust film mixing into the clear coat somehow. but like I said I am new but since I have this problem thought I should reply my experances so far...

This question has been answered before. This is NOT a personal attack on Newport Viper, but the fact the he chooses not to accept the answer, does not change the fact that this is damage from wheel cleaners.

Any chemistry class will tell you not to add acid to water. What happens is the cleaner, or at least a portion of it has been left to dry, so the asidue residue has localized in these areas. When the acids get wet, they reactivate and you see the stains.

It's very similar to acid rain. On an UNPROTECTED surface, you can polish out acid rain marks, but as soon as the paint gets wet, the marks will return, because the chemical residue is still in the paint.

This is why you're stains are coming back after the 2nd wash, as the protective barrier breaks down(much faster on wheels because of the HIGH heat they see) the water can easily reach the acids and reactivate them.

I don't know of any solution other than a neutralization wash. However it's been MY experience, that this type of damage is irreversible and usually leads to clearcoat failure. I've seen it many times on new customers cars from the local wash and scratch, and within 3-6 months, the wheels need a repaint.

[Andrew]

thanks for the info, so if it is irreversable then how can I keep from making it worse? Don't use a dedicated wheel cleaner? what should be used to clean rims that are tough to evaluate(material and finish)?
I have used
gold class all wheel cleaner (black bottle) the most but want to switch to something stronger to get better results
Hot rims all wheel cleaner(old version) after using I didn't notice any negative effects but I do not exactly what my rims are finished in so after re-reading the label I have decieded to try to figure out what type of finish on my rims before I use Hot rims again.
also used gold class instant wheel cleaner (red bottle) like above no negative but after reading label I need more info on my rims. so now I have been nxt car wash only but would like to know your thoughts on what MOL thinks I should use to clean effectively. thanks in advance...

[Newport Viper]

Update on this problem:

Owner brought the car back over with the same type of stains on the wheels. Washed the wheels with soap, nothing happened.

Compared it to the photo's I had, and stains are not in the same pattern, which rules out the acid cleaner theory.

We where thinking time to go to Mercedes and declare faulty clear coat.

I decided to try one more thing, although a bit extreme.

I sprayed Simple Green Max on to a rag.


Yea,......... that took it right off.

Followed with some NXT and they where good to go!

I hope this helps others!

[Accumulator]

Once you get problem wheels cleaned up, I'd apply the longest-lasting sealant you can find, preferably multiple layers. Then wash with a slightly stronger-than-normal carwash shampoo mix instead of wheel cleaner (which would remove said LSP). This has worked well for me even on cars that are reputed to have brake dust issues.