LSP safe tire cleaner???

[RGP]

As I only drive my car on pristine days, and I remove brake dust immediately with a California duster, can you suggest a rubber cleaner that will remove old Hot, Insane, Endurance etc. without also removing the many coats of NXT 2.0 from my wheels?

I usually just wash the inner and outer wheel and the tire with Gold Class and a non paint sponge before completely changing water, car wash and switching to my car paint mitt and other accessories used just for the finish.

The tires aren't browning, I just feel like I'd sometimes just like to strip off all the old dressings and start anew.

I've got aluminum eleven spoke wheels so I don't want to remove my laboriously applied NXT from the outer wheel. It's a two hour job just waxing or adding polymers to protect the wheels. The inside wheel rim is not clear coated like the outer part of the wheel, but the clean inner wheel is definitely seen since I keep the insides as clean as the outer clear coated facing, so an aluminum friendly cleaner would be necessary.

Thanks so much for any suggestions!

[Clutch34]

Re: LSP safe tire cleaner???

Sorry, I have no suggestions for you, but this caught me off guard -- you can apply wax to wheels?! Why do you do that?

[RGP]

Re: LSP safe tire cleaner???

Sorry, I have no suggestions for you, but this caught me off guard -- you can apply wax to wheels?! Why do you do that?

When you've been married for 37 years, you'll also find it a pleasant escape. Two hours of complete solitude out in the garage, silence and some quality time with my new puppy. Besides, it really sets them off; especially the clean satin inner rim. The inner rim looks really dynoomite when it's clean. Makes the wheel look two feet deep.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: LSP safe tire cleaner???

Bob, any strong cleaner or degreaser one might use to clean the tires will most likely strip wax from the wheels in the process, at least to some degree. You might want to just stick to your car wash soap and a good, stiff tire brush to scrub them clean.

Clutch34, since so many factory wheels are painted silver and clear coated, or at least have a clear coat over a polished aluminum finish, and many aftermarket wheels use a similar treatment, you can treat them the same way you treat the rest of the paint on the car. Waxing can help make cleaning easier next time around, and just plain make the wheels look better. You can also use a paint cleaner on them since they will start to get minor swirls over time. Keep in mind we're only talking using this process on painted and/or clear coated wheels. If you have bare, high polished aluminum wheels that changes things. Of course, any wheel cleaner is going to strip the wax off, but depending on how intricate your wheels are the waxing process isn't that difficult. Or it's darn near impossible!

[RGP]

Re: LSP safe tire cleaner???

Great minds think alike, Mike. I think I'll try a dab of straight Gold Class on a small brush. Seems to makes sense...

[RaskyR1]

Re: LSP safe tire cleaner???

I'd have to agree with Mike. I usually just use soap and water and a stiff brush every wash. You could also try applying the APC with some sort of applicator vs. spraying, but it will likely still run down on the wheel as you scrub/rinse them.

[Tuck91]

Re: LSP safe tire cleaner???

Hey Bob,

I would give NXT Generation Car Wash, warm water and a stiff tire brush a try. If the dressing still remains on the tire after that, then I would spray some M39 Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner on a terry cloth or a small brush and carefully scrub the tire and trying not to touch the wheel.