stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

[dinosaur1]

Now that I have the UC I can try it on my wife's rims.

[dinosaur1]

Great info. I'll give it a shot

[Murr1525]

Re: stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

The nice thing with UC is you can just wipe it around for real mild cleaning, or work it in more for medium cleaning ability, or a lot for stronger cleaning.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

For a less aggressive product you could start as mild as a cleaner wax. But in all honesty, you could still go through the finish if you applied it with a terry cloth towel and really scrubbed. It's the applicator and the power behind it that will cause the real damage, not necessarily the product you're using. We say this to make a point - regardless of the product being used and how safe it is, how you use it can change things dramatically. Hopefully you've learned that lesson already with the way you used the All Wheel Cleaner. We don't say this to bust your chops, but we've seen too many cases of people just going about things all wrong and getting themselves into trouble.

That said, we seriously doubt that a cleaner wax, or even SwirlX, will do the job here. And we really don't want you to go out and buy several products in hopes of finally finding one that will work. Our goal here is to help you fix the problem at hand, not just sell you a bunch of product in an attempt to do that. Now, if you have a cleaner wax or SwirlX on hand already, then by all means give them a try. With the proper applicator pad, and again we highly recommend a soft foam wax applicator pad and not terry cloth or microfiber, you won't scratch the paint with either product and as long as you don't scrub vigorously in a small area for long periods of time you'll be fine. But if you have nothing like those products, we'd recommend just going straight to Ultimate Compound and starting easy with it. Just because it's more aggressive doesn't mean it will scratch the surface if used lightly. Quite the contrary. Start light, and work up as needed. But never scrub vigorously in a small area for long periods of time with any product!

[dinosaur1]

The stains are in little spots. It's doesn't cover the entire rim. Does that change anything?

Also is there anything "lighter" and less aggressive I can try as a start vs going with something that can take off the clear coat?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

polished aluminum with a clear coat
I left it on for bout 8 minutes.
There has to be some way for this to be removed.

Oh my. The instructions on the bottle state to let penetrate for 15 seconds and do not allow product to dry on wheel. The directions also recommend agitating with a brush to remove heavy buildup. Now, there is a little wiggle room in that 15 seconds - consider that spraying it on, allowing it to dwell a bit and then agitating and you'll have product sitting on the wheel for more than just 15 seconds. But 8 minutes of just sitting there is just a bad idea.

OK, so now you've got what you've got, so let's see if we can find a way to correct this. It is quite possible that the etching is very deep so it may not all come out, just be aware of that. Aris mentioned using acetone on his wheels, but that was for yellow staining and you've got a different issue here. We do NOT recommend the use of acetone to correct your issue. Ultimate Compound would be our first choice here, applied with a foam wax applicator and NOT terry cloth or microfiber. Those materials, especially the terry cloth, can be quite aggressive and can easily go all the way through the coating no matter what liquid you use on them. Start off easy and work up, but never apply heavy force in a small area using just your fingertips as this will concentrate all of your energy into a small area and increases the risk of going through the clear. Proceed slowly.

[dinosaur1]

To be honest I will wait until the Meguiars rep replies back...I don't want to test out stuff that could mess it up more.

[aris]

Re: stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

You could try a little acetone on a cloth and wipe it off. I know my factory rims had turned yellew and i tried everything and it wouldn't come out so i tryed acetone as a last resort and it worked (it's very strong stuff so i don't how everyone else feels about using it)

Here are pics of my rims
Before


AFTER

[slows10]

Re: stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

They are factory clear coated wheels. The etching seems to be somewhat deep. You can try some ultimate compound on them but becareful to not be to aggresive with the compound and go thru the clear. Rather have some staining than clear coat failure. It is very important to read the instructions on the bottle.8 minutes is to long, also apply that cleaner to a wet and cool wheel.

[dinosaur1]

Re: stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

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From October 18, 2011

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From October 18, 2011

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From October 18, 2011

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[Jossy92]

Re: stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

Also (based on my own mistakes), what products did you use in the past?
I learned that Megs products can make a neglected surface look its age because all the surface contaminants are removed.

BM (Before Megs): After washing, I used to religiously "wax" tree mist and bonded bird dropping residue (an excellent filler) into my paint, then carefully do the same with residual brake dust on my wheels. I had washed the car and............clay? What's clay?

Then, after 3 or 4 details, my car started to look like Keith Richards.

Hopefully we will learn some good correction techniques when your pictures are uploaded.

[Tuck91]

Re: stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

Post a picture of the wheel so we can see.

[dinosaur1]

Let me double check in what type of rim first. I may be wrong.

[polishworks]

Re: stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

Sounds like the product was left on too long and it etched the clear..
Because they are clear coated, you could use traditional polishing methods on them, but it may prove difficult being that it is a wheel and not as easy to work on..
Try a more gentle wheel cleaner!

[dinosaur1]

Re: stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

They're aluminum alloy but are they the typical silver painted factory wheels, or are they polished aluminum with a clear coat? Also, just how long did you leave the product on the wheels? It should never be allowed to self dry and it should always be thoroughly rinsed with water. It is also important to work on just one wheel at a time, start to finish, rather than spray all four wheels and then let the product dwell. Pictures will definitely help here though.

polished aluminum with a clear coat
I left it on for bout 8 minutes.
There has to be some way for this to be removed.