Can't get rims clean

[John Galt]

I've been working on cleaning the rims on my 01 X5 and have made great progress but don't know what to do next. If you look at the pictures below, I still have small black specs and some brown streaks. I've been usings Meguiars Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner with a good stiff brush, which has worked admirably well so far, but can't get at the above problems. I've also tried some detailing clay.

I am tempted to use a green scrub pad, which I am sure would take care of the stubborn black dots, but I don't want to scratch the rims.

Also, if you look at the third pic, there is a scratch or something on the wheel spoke. Is it a scratch or something I can buff out?

Any suggestions?

[R Evolution1]

Re: Can't get rims clean

Have you tried some Mr. Clean type Magic Eraser? I would try that with some APC or warm water with soap.

Afterwards (once clean) make sure you protect them with some wax so that next time the brake dust wont stick as bad.

[Murr1525]

Re: Can't get rims clean

They look painted? You could also try a paint cleaner, ScratchX maybe.

Are you able to tell if that discoloration is in the paint, or where paint used to be, stuff stuck on the paint ,etc?

[Lydia]

Re: Can't get rims clean

It kind of looks like stuck on tar to me. Have you tried a tar remover? I had some similar spots on the backs of my rims, and tar remover and my fingernail got some of them off. Some still didn't want to come off, but it was only on the backs of my rims so I didn't try a whole lot of other things.

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Can't get rims clean

Have you tried wheel brightener from the professional line?

[Duff]

Re: Can't get rims clean

You could also try claying them and see if that would pick it up. It looks like the majority of it is brake dust with some tar or overspray on there too.

[Tim Lingor]

Re: Can't get rims clean

Hey,

From the look of the spots in the photo, they look like some kind of bonded contaminant ie. paint, tar or perhaps even metallic brake dust. If that is the case, I would use clay and try and remove the spots that way.

Keep in mind, once you have use clay on your wheels, you can not use it again on your paint or glass as it will most likely have metal brake particles in it that will scratch the paint etc....

Tim

[TXShine]

Re: Can't get rims clean

You said you tried some detailing clay, what clay did you use and was it removing anything?

It's obvious whatever it is, it's really baked on and is going to take a lot of hard work and patience, so don't give up on something just because it's slow going.

[Andy M.]

Re: Can't get rims clean

You may want to try spraying a very small amount of WD-40 on a rag and try that. Just be sure to re-wash them after you do this, and protect them with a good wax or sealant. I have used WD-40 to remove tar and it works very well.

Andy
101impala

[Jeepster04]

Re: Can't get rims clean

Ive never seen so much advice(Good thing)!

Looks to me like you have alittle bit of etching from the brake dust sitting on the rims to long. I would try some old clay if you have some. No use in using new clay for that.

You could try some clay on the back sides also but it would probably take alot.

I see you have the wheel weights on the inside of the rims also. I got those on some rims and it took forever to get all that adhesive off! I ended up using the handle of an old plastic brush and some APC. Took ages to get it all off.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Can't get rims clean

Would Goo Gone be to harsh to remove the old adhesive from the weights? It seems that would be the quickest way.

[Jeepster04]

Re: Can't get rims clean

It should be just fine to use on them. Ive read about people using it on the paint but Ive never used it.

[WrightDetail]

Re: Can't get rims clean

Would Goo Gone be to harsh to remove the old adhesive from the weights? It seems that would be the quickest way.

[The Shine Shop]

Re: Can't get rims clean

i do alot of bmw and mbz that have this problem. go get the finest grade of 3m scuff pad they make and using gloves spray the wheel cleaner on the pad and gently scrubb the wheel. you will have to polish and wax the wheels after but this should make life easier
mike

[Detail Werks]

Re: Can't get rims clean

wheel bright from the detailer line has always worked for me