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The temperature got into the 60s this afternoon, so I thought I'd take advantage of the heat wave and clean my summer rims. My Luthien has high performance summer tires, and I replace them each winter with snow tires. It's about time to switch back, but before making the switch I wanted to work on the rims. The wheel wells in particular needed work--lots of tar specks that normal washing has not been able to remove.
1) One tire at a time: With the wheel face sitting on two pieces of wood, so that the wheel face would not get scratched, I hosed down the wheel and tire and then applied Amazing Roll Off to the wheel well and exposed tire. I then proceeded to work on the well with a piece of 0000 steel wool. After rinsing, I sprayed Stoner Tarminator into the wheel well, allowed it to sit for a minute and then rubbed some more with the steel wool. Rinsed again and sprayed some more ARO into the well. Eventually 99% of the tar was removed.
I then flipped the tire over, hosed it down, and sprayed ARO onto the exposed tire and APC+ onto the wheel face. I agitated the wheel face with a brush and then brushed down the tire with my Meguiar's tire brush (too bad these brushes are discontinued!). I then rinsed off the tire and wheel face and then dried off the wheel face with a microfiber towel.
2) I then applied Collinite 476s to the rims. I have used NXT in the past as my "wheel wax," but I have had this tin of 476s sitting around my house for over a year now and decided to get some use out of it. I applied it with a foam applicator and then proceeded to the next wheel. I found that by the time I finished applying the wax to the second wheel, the wax on the preceding wheel had hazed. I then buffed it off with a microfiber towel. No problem. Quite honestly, I cannot see much of a difference in appearance in my alloy rims after I apply wax, but the wax does seem to make it easier to clean the rims on subsequent washings. 476 is supposed to be extremely durable. We shall see.
3) Finally it was time to apply tire dressing. I chose Mother's Reflections Tire Care, which is my favorite dressing for Luthien's tires. It leaves a satin finish with a hint of gloss. It's water-based and easy to apply. Using an Eagle One foam applicator, I applied the stuff to each tire. After 5-10 minutes I went back to each tire and wiped them down using the same applicator. That seems to pick up and spread around any excess. I have never experienced sling using Reflections.
Now I just need to get the tires mounted next week and I'll be ready to roll! I am looking forward to putting the top down and driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. Let spring come!
Cheers,
Al
1) One tire at a time: With the wheel face sitting on two pieces of wood, so that the wheel face would not get scratched, I hosed down the wheel and tire and then applied Amazing Roll Off to the wheel well and exposed tire. I then proceeded to work on the well with a piece of 0000 steel wool. After rinsing, I sprayed Stoner Tarminator into the wheel well, allowed it to sit for a minute and then rubbed some more with the steel wool. Rinsed again and sprayed some more ARO into the well. Eventually 99% of the tar was removed.
I then flipped the tire over, hosed it down, and sprayed ARO onto the exposed tire and APC+ onto the wheel face. I agitated the wheel face with a brush and then brushed down the tire with my Meguiar's tire brush (too bad these brushes are discontinued!). I then rinsed off the tire and wheel face and then dried off the wheel face with a microfiber towel.
2) I then applied Collinite 476s to the rims. I have used NXT in the past as my "wheel wax," but I have had this tin of 476s sitting around my house for over a year now and decided to get some use out of it. I applied it with a foam applicator and then proceeded to the next wheel. I found that by the time I finished applying the wax to the second wheel, the wax on the preceding wheel had hazed. I then buffed it off with a microfiber towel. No problem. Quite honestly, I cannot see much of a difference in appearance in my alloy rims after I apply wax, but the wax does seem to make it easier to clean the rims on subsequent washings. 476 is supposed to be extremely durable. We shall see.
3) Finally it was time to apply tire dressing. I chose Mother's Reflections Tire Care, which is my favorite dressing for Luthien's tires. It leaves a satin finish with a hint of gloss. It's water-based and easy to apply. Using an Eagle One foam applicator, I applied the stuff to each tire. After 5-10 minutes I went back to each tire and wiped them down using the same applicator. That seems to pick up and spread around any excess. I have never experienced sling using Reflections.
Now I just need to get the tires mounted next week and I'll be ready to roll! I am looking forward to putting the top down and driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. Let spring come!
Cheers,
Al
