Allloy wheels

[ccartwright1]

What is the best way to clean these wheels? The tire shop scuffed a couple of the them whe thay changed the valve stems.

[Matt Majeika]

Re: Allloy wheels

What is the best way to clean these wheels? The tire shop scuffed a couple of the them whe thay changed the valve stems.

Which wheels?

Could you please provide a picture?

Matt

[Murr1525]

Re: Allloy wheels

Or at least mention for sure if they are clear coated, etc.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Allloy wheels

What are often referred to as merely "alloy wheels" are often a fairly lightweight factory wheel made from an aluminum alloy but actually painted silver. If this describes your wheels then treat them as you would treat the paint on the car - you can use a paint cleaner like SwirlX or Ultimate Compound and even wax them.

If you wheels are factory original polished aluminum with a clear coat (and if they are factory polished aluminum odds are they do indeed have a clear coat) then the same still applies. That clear coat is essentially clear paint, just like the clear coat on the rest of the car.

Aftermarket wheels sort of change the story here. There is a wide variety of aftermarket finishes available and the care process can be quite different.

But beyond all that, how badly did the tire store scuff your wheels? Often times the damage is too severe to correct with anything you can pour out of a bottle. A picture would definitely help.

[stamford]

Re: Allloy wheels

Sorry restarting this thread again. I have got the company fitted 15" alloys and want to know which product would be the best to get off all the dirt and grime. Can the Hot-Rims All-wheel cleaner do this job?

[Murr1525]

Re: Allloy wheels

Factory wheels should be clearcoated or painted, so All Wheel Cleaner or Aluminum Wheel Cleaner would be fine. You will probably want a few soft brushes for agitation.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Allloy wheels

If you have the typical silver colored (painted) European alloys that came from the factory, then All Wheel Cleaner is perfectly safe. Just make sure to follow the directions on the bottle - specifically, clean one wheel at a time from start to finish and never spray the product on all four wheels in succession and then go back to the first wheel for agitation. Always work on cool wheels, and just one wheel at a time.

[stamford]

Re: Allloy wheels

If you have the typical silver colored (painted) European alloys that came from the factory, then All Wheel Cleaner is perfectly safe. Just make sure to follow the directions on the bottle - specifically, clean one wheel at a time from start to finish and never spray the product on all four wheels in succession and then go back to the first wheel for agitation. Always work on cool wheels, and just one wheel at a time.

Thanks a lot Michael. And yes, they are the typical European(VW) alloys. However, which one do you think is safer? All Wheel or Aluminium Wheel Cleaner?
Would it form any kind of spots/layer on the discs?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Allloy wheels

Thanks a lot Michael. And yes, they are the typical European(VW) alloys. However, which one do you think is safer? All Wheel or Aluminium Wheel Cleaner?
Would it form any kind of spots/layer on the discs?

Both are safe, but since Aluminum Wheel Cleaner is designed to even be safe on bare, high polished aluminum it is incredibly mild stuff. German cars are notorious for pumping out huge amounts of brake dust, and All Wheel Cleaner is much more capable at removing that junk while still being perfectly safe on your wheels. Even on aftermarket clear coated wheels it's perfectly fine. For example, one of my cars has aftermarket wheels with painted spokes and a polished lip, but the whole wheel is clear coated. I've been using AWC on these wheels for years without a hint of trouble.

The only time you'll run into issues with AWC is if you try to use it on bare, high polished aluminum or if you spray it on a hot wheel and/or spray it on and let it dry on the surface. As long as you follow the directions and just work on one wheel at a time, you'll be perfectly fine.

Now, if you ever decide to install an aftermarket brake kit on the car, watch out for the finish of the calipers. Some kits from Brembo, Baer, Willwood, etc use a powder coated finish that can be stained by this wheel cleaner. I painted my calipers red several years ago using a two stage paint specifically designed for brake calipers and they've been fine, even after repeated washings with this product.

[stamford]

Re: Allloy wheels

Thanks for the info guys. I will try to post some pictures of my alloys. You guys can check them out and then tell me which is the best choice

[stamford]

Re: Allloy wheels

Sorry guys another dumb question.. If I wash my car, say 2-3 times a week with a GC car wash(including wheels), is it ok to use the all wheel cleaner only when required i.e. when they get really dirty? Or do you guys recommend that I use the wheel cleaner everytime I clean them?

[Murr1525]

Re: Allloy wheels

No, if all you need is car wash soap, then all you need is soap.

You'll certainly want a separate mitt, or brushes, etc for them.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Allloy wheels

Like Murr points out, if you're keeping up on things and the wheels aren't terribly dirty then soap and water will probably be sufficient. Wash the whole car first and then use what's left of the wash water on the wheels.

[Blazebro]

Re: Allloy wheels

Like Murr points out, if you're keeping up on things and the wheels aren't terribly dirty then soap and water will probably be sufficient. Wash the whole car first and then use what's left of the wash water on the wheels.

Partially agree with this.

Yes on well maintained wheels soap and water is all that's needed. However I wouldn't entertain using water which had previously been used to wash the car.

You've probably heard of the 2 bucket method, I use the 3 bucket method. I wash my wheels as follows no matter whether it's 1 day or 10days:

I have a 5ltr sprayer pre mixed with an apc solution (either 5-1 or 2-1), spray this on the wheels and agitate with the best suited of 6 wheel brushes I have. Clean the facias with a Grout Sponge (using a bucket filled with water & APC) and jet off.

Most companies will sell 3 buckets these days with them marked Wash/Rinse/Wheels.

[stamford]

Re: Allloy wheels

Brilliant guys! Thank you so much. I will still pick up a bottle of All Wheel Cleaner in case cleaning gets tough after long trips