Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire cleaner just stained my expensive wheels

[CHzo6]

Re: Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire cleaner just stained my expensive wheels

I think we found a winner. That's what I was thinking and why I asked on his other thread.

[CHzo6]

Re: Need help! Stained wheels after using Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire clean

Sure looks like the wheels are not clear coated. I checked them out on a few sites and nowhere did it mention they were clear coated on the lip. My guess is just the spokes are coated.

[Wheelzntoys]

Re: Need help! Stained wheels after using Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire clean

Found this for Volk cleaning:

Quote

Basically, the parts of the wheels that are clearcoated, usually the centers and spokes, can be treated just like paint. I use Zaino Z2-Pro on them, and wipe them down with Z6 detail spray to help repel some of the brake dust...or at least make it easier to get off during washing. This is a once every 4-6 month task or as needed...after washing and drying completley of course. It's the polished lips that are a pain to care for, as they scratch quite easily, and don't have the clearcoat finish to protect them in most cases. HRE recommended NXT All Metal Polish for the polished lips on my Z, but I have also used Wenol Blue, Megs and Mothers Mag & Aluminum polish with good results.

unquote

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire cleaner just stained my expensive wheels

Just for the record here, we've merged the two threads that toekneevu started on this issue so as to keep the discussion centralized.

But it looks like we've got multiple sources stating that the lips on these wheels are not covered with a typical clear coat, and therein lies the problem. We hate to see this sort of thing happen, which is why we always stress with aftermarket wheels that you do some research into what they're really finished with, even if that just means asking the manufacturer what they recommend for cleaning. The enormous variety of finishes used in the aftermarket makes it impossible for us to have a database of wheels and a definitive recommendation for every make and model. But on OEM factory coated wheels, this product should pose no problems at all. I even use it regularly on the aftermarket wheels on one of my cars, but I know for a fact that they are fully clear coated so I've never had a problem. I've got satin black aftermarket wheels on two other cars and I stick with soap and water for those.

[toekneevu]

Re: Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire cleaner just stained my expensive wheels

Sorry to come off as some troll here, as I was extremely upset this happened and posted it right after it had happened which was yesterday. I've accepted the fact this has happened now and it's unfortunately depressing.

Is there anything Meguiars can do? I can contact the customer care number but are they just going to tell me the same thing or will it get escalated to actually help me? I've always been a fan of Meguiar's products, I've always used it for my paint and leather and never had any problems with it. I've gone through probably 7-8 scratch-X bottles because I love it so much. This was the reason why I thought hey, I should try using there wheel products too.

Getting these wheels re-polished and recoated would probably cost $175 a wheel and this is my daily driver. If this is what I really have to do, can Meguiars help with the cost or something?

[Brian Hann]

Re: Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire cleaner just stained my expensive wheels

toekneevu,

Just sent you a PM. Please read at your earliest convenience.

[toekneevu]

Re: Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire cleaner just stained my expensive wheels

Got your PM, I really appreciate it Brian. Thanks!

Would it possible to polish off the clear coat off myself?

Is it better to remove the anodized clear coat using something like Lavacol Acid (Aircraft paint stripper) or Rustoleum Auto stripper to remove the clear coat, then polish the bare aluminum?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated, thanks!

[Exira]

Re: Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire cleaner just stained my expensive wheels

toekneevu, did you resolve this issue and got the stain out? I encounter very similar issue; however, I used Meguiar's Hot Rims Chrome on the rims and Meguiar's High Gloss Hot Shine Tire Spray on my tires. I drove my car for about an hour and the brake dust collected on the rims and I can't clean it off. It seems like is some kind of chemical agents on the Meguiar's products that binds the brake dust to my Infiniti G35s factory rims and it is impossible to clean it off. Please help if any one had encountered this issue and got it resolved.

[Brian Hann]

Re: Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire cleaner just stained my expensive wheels

Exira,

Thank you for taking the time to post here on our forum. We are sorry to hear about your frustrating experience with these two products. Let me try and address each of these issues separately.

1) The experience toekneevu had is very different than the scenario you described. Different product and totally different issue; however it does bring up a
worthwhile concern. It is extremely important that you choose the correct wheel cleaner for your specific wheels. This is always true but especially so
when dealing with after market wheels that vary so much in material and sensitivity to chemicals. toekneevu's experience is the perfect example why
this is so important. From the description you gave of your situation this is not related at all but worth mentioning as general knowledge for anyone who
reads through this thread.

2) Our Hot Rims Chrome Wheel Cleaner or any of our wheel cleaners for that matter do not leave anything behind. Once they are thoroughly rinsed off they
are gone. There would be no strange unforeseen chemical reaction with it and any other product.

3) The Hot Shine Tire Spray if over-sprayed onto the wheel and not cleaned off could leave a residue but not any real damage. It if was still wet in theory
brake dust could stick to it more easily than a clean wheel. If you do as the instructions state and wipe it off right away there should be no issue. If
allowed to dry it may take more thorough cleaning but it is certainly possible to get off.

Are the wheels on your G35 clear coated (silver look with clear paint over them) or chrome? Sorry, the picture you posted did not come through on your post. Once we know what material the wheel is we can give you a better suggestion on what to use now to thoroughly clean them.

[Exira]

Re: Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire cleaner just stained my expensive wheels

My 2007 Infiniti G35S have factory wheels, not aftermarket. I'm sending you the picture again. Here are the steps that I followed:
1. Rinsed and wash the wheel with cold water and turtle car wash soap.
2. I sprayed the Hot Rims Chrome wheel cleaner on the rims.
3. I let it soaked for a minute and then rinsed the rims with cold water.
4. I let it dry for about 10 mins.
5. I then applied Meguiar's High Gloss Hot Shine Tire Spray.
6. I didn't see any excess to wipe off.
7. I drove the car for about an hour.
8. I parked it in my garage for about 6 days

On the sixth day I needed to take it out for a ride. This is when I noticed a thin jet black substance covered parts of my rims. My guess is this jet black substance is probably caused by brake dust chemically combine with Meguiar's product and glued to my rims. I said this is because when I sprayed the Hot Rims Chrome wheel cleaner, the product also get onto my disk brakes and parts. When I rinse the rims, I might have not rinse it clean from all the the brake disks/parts. I have tried cleaning the rims with other solutions but still it would not come off. This thin jet black substance seems to glue to the rims really well. I also to use my finger nails to scratch it off but unable too.

[Brian Hann]

Re: Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire cleaner just stained my expensive wheels

Exira,

Thank you for the more detailed explanation. Not sure how you are attempting to add pictures but it is not working and pictures really do help. The Chrome Wheel Cleaner would have nothing to do with what you are describing and the worst thing the Hot Shine Spray could do is leave a residue on the wheels if it transferred to the wheels but it would not be black in color. It is more likely that something else got on the wheels while driving or tire compound from the black tires combined with something else got on the wheels leaving the black marks. Have you tried a degreaser? You may want to try something like our Ultimate Compound if the wheels are factory clear coated. Again, I think the pictures will really help. Without discounting or dismissing your experience you should know we sell and incredible amount of this product every year and it is literally being used on thousands of cars. What you have described is not common so we are simply trying to figure out what unique factors are present in this situation that could cause this.