Detailing under the car - Question

[zr123]

Ahh... even though the day was gloomy and raining throughout... as soon as the rain stopped for a good 20 minutes, I couldn't help but run out there to clean my car again. Had to get rid of that dirt around the tires.

I didn't have any all purpose cleaners, or degreasers... I figured some HOT RIMS ALL WHEEL CLEANER would work.

And boy did it work, worked wonders!

BEFORE:


AFTER:


CLOSE UP (ENHANCED BRIGHTNESS):


STEPS:
Sprayed on the HOT RIMS ALL WHEEL CLEANER
Let it sit for 15 - 20 seconds
Agitated the area lightly with a brush
Hosed thoroughly using a pressure washer

I haven't dressed it yet... will spray on some tech protect later.

---
Thanks for all the help

[Murr1525]

Remember, the Tech Protectant is mostly for interiors. It will certainly work, but wont last as long as the more dedicated exterior dressings.

[Accumulator]

Yeah, wheel cleaners work well for jobs like this (sorta pricey though).

If you keep them clean, you might not need to dress them. I only dress the wheelwells of a few of our vehicles, the others look OK (not concours, but OK) with just regular cleanings.

I've taken to keeping a pair of floorjacks in the washbay so I can lift the cars up just a little bit- makes it easy to clean these areas. If you clean the wheelwells and undercarriage at every wash (even just a quickie job will be better than nothing), these areas will stay presentable.

Note that regular cleanings will stop the accumulation of dirt, and dirt harbors moisture. That's why so many cars are rusted out around the wheelwells- the nooks and crannies are aways damp from the moist, built-up dirt.

[Pete-FWA]

Originally posted by Mike-in-Orange
I'm sure the source of Brian's horror comes from the thought of doing this to the plastic wheel well liners on newer cars.

I do have fond memories of doing Pete's process to cars a long time ago though, so don't be too freaked out Brian!!

Actually, the chassis black I use adheres well to the plastic materials in wheel wells. We used it in the shop for years and I still use it on late model cars to this day.

The surface needs to be bone dry and not layered with some sort of non-paintable material, such as most dressings. Masking suspension components is important if they don't need to be black.

Our Midwest winters tend to leave the wells with a sandblasted look from all the salt and sand thrown on the roads. Plastic wheel well covers can become grey after a season or two of this. Enjoy the sun in SoCal!

[Michael Stoops]

Originally posted by Pete-FWA

Our Midwest winters tend to leave the wells with a sandblasted look from all the salt and sand thrown on the roads. Plastic wheel well covers can become grey after a season or two of this. Enjoy the sun in SoCal!

Ah yes, Midwest winters. I spent the first 30 years of my life in Michigan so I know all too well. A decade and a half in perpetual sunshine sort of burns some of the finer details out of the brain though!!

Given those circumstances I can see the need for such measures. Out here, not so much.

[mtmaher1]

I use a toilet scrubber brush (never used in toilet) and some apc or the left over wash water to clean in the wheel wells.

[Deaner5]

After a very good cleaning and drying of inside the wheelwell, I have clear coated the plastic parts and they are a lot easier to clean later on and stayed cleaner longer. I know this may be similar to the black paint thing, but doing this carefully and not overspraying anything is key. I liked the look and it's pretty easy.