Cleaning The Alloy Wheels

[Guest olerobinho00]

Any tips on how to keep the alloy wheels really clean?

 

thanks

[boombang 2]

don't use the car?

[Pug_101 0]

If there already clean use a wax or sealant to seal the wheel. This will make cleaning them very easy for as long as the wax or sealant lasts. Some are better for this purpose than others, but on the whole I find sealants work better, maybe what you use on the paintwork will be ok. To get the wheels clean a good wheel cleaner will make the job easier although I would recommend staying away from the Acid based cleaners (ValetPRO Bilberry is very popular at the moment). Polish and Clay bars can also be used to help remove stubborn stains.

[jordGTI 0]

wax works a treat

[jordGTI 0]

oh yeh for cleaning i would use auto smart smart wheels it really good

[pugdamo 111 2 Cars]

I knew Jordgti would have given a reply (he used to be a valetor),the best way i find to keep wheels clean is to play dumb and jord will do it for you .

 

I use soapy water to clean the wheel,Autosol metal polish for my polished lip,and then wax it with Autoglym super resin polish when im done,lovely.

[AndyJ 1]

I use a spray of turtlewax alloy wheel cleaner (deadly stuff but works a treat...eats your brake discs though) and a sponge, and a coat of wax if i can be a**ed. Always brings them up beautiful

[Dan Ingram 1]

I knew Jordgti would have given a reply (he used to be a valetor),the best way i find to keep wheels clean is to play dumb and jord will do it for you .

 

I use soapy water to clean the wheel,Autosol metal polish for my polished lip,and then wax it with Autoglym super resin polish when im done,lovely.

 

Auto Glym super resin isn't a wax its a polish. It doesn't offer any protection to your wheels at all. The best thing to use on your wheels is a proper wheel wax or sealant. Something like chemical guys wheel guard or poor boys. They stand up to the hard life that wheels get better than normal waxes. If you seal them properly then you should be able to clean them with some warm soapy water instead of harsh cleaners.

[powermandan 0]

I use a spray of turtlewax alloy wheel cleaner (deadly stuff but works a treat...eats your brake discs though) and a sponge, and a coat of wax if i can be a**ed. Always brings them up beautiful

 

Turtlewax is my favorite to

[powermandan 0]

I use a spray of turtlewax alloy wheel cleaner (deadly stuff but works a treat...eats your brake discs though) and a sponge, and a coat of wax if i can be a**ed. Always brings them up beautiful

 

Turtlewax is my favorite to

[pugdamo 111 2 Cars]

Auto Glym super resin isn't a wax its a polish. It doesn't offer any protection to your wheels at all. The best thing to use on your wheels is a proper wheel wax or sealant. Something like chemical guys wheel guard or poor boys. They stand up to the hard life that wheels get better than normal waxes. If you seal them properly then you should be able to clean them with some warm soapy water instead of harsh cleaners.

 

 

I thought i was doing good,my wheels are always easy to clean after using Autoglym,prob due to the fact that there new,just been powdercoated.

Ill look out for the stuff you mentioned and give it a go,thanks

[philfingers 5]

To clean them I use Autoglym trade wheel cleaner acid. It's about £20 for 5 ltrs and you dilute it 1:1 with water so it makes 10 ltrs. Very good, spray, quick rub with a brush and wash off.

You can also use brick acid from the likes of B&Q. Similar stuff, don't leave it on long tho,

 

Phil

[ravydavy 0]

i use something called DEB traffic film remover. we use it to clean the machines and lorrys at work. it goes in the steam cleaner and it feeds it in diluted. but if you put it into a sprayer and use it neat it works awesome..

better still it costs about 25 quid for 25 litres... you'll be in a wheelchair before you've used it all...

david

[Rom 0]

I thought i was doing good,my wheels are always easy to clean after using Autoglym,prob due to the fact that there new,just been powdercoated.

Ill look out for the stuff you mentioned and give it a go,thanks

 

Auto Glym Extra Gloss Protection would work better, as its an actual sealant. Polish offers very little protection, its aimed at makign the surface look nice. Sealers go on top, adding a layer of protection. Theres many different kinds, i just used EGP as an example seeign as you used AG.

 

I use Zaino, which is damn good, but exspensive. Sealant on wheels doesnt last as long as on paint. Due to more vigorous cleaning, and brake dust etc. Re apply every 2-3 months normally. Or when you notice there getting harder to clean.

 

Any wheel cleaner with acid in it should be used very carefully. Especially when sealant / wax whatever is on the wheels, as it can easily strip it off.

TFR is similar stripping wise. Depending on concentration etc.

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

TFR dulls paint I wouldn't put it near a car.

 

Most of the autoglym stuff is a load of crap aimed at 60 year olds trying to keep there VW jetta's they bought new looking somewhat reasonable.

 

If your anywhere near serious of keeping your car nice and clean get yourself over on detailing world.

[stufarri 98 3 Cars]

Most of the autoglym stuff is a load of crap aimed at 60 year olds trying to keep there VW jetta's they bought new looking somewhat reasonable.

 

If your anywhere near serious of keeping your car nice and clean get yourself over on detailing world.

 

You'd be surprised that AG stuff is held in high regard by a lot serious detailers on DW - I did share your view at one stage though, I admit.

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

Nah, most of it is a load of crap, some of their interior stuff is ok but theres much better products out there for the money most of the time.

[Rom 0]

AG isnt bad. But there is a lot better out there

 

AG is easily available to everyone locally. Its good enough for the average person who likes to polish his car now and then.

Its what most people start out on.

 

Dodo Juice and Meguiars are similar priced, with much bigger ranges, and more specialised products.

 

Anyway...back OT

 

For cleaning, something like Bilberry is safe and decent.

For sealing Poorboys Wheel Wax is ok. I prefer to use a proper sealant, something Zaino Z-CS.

[Retro Pug 0 1 Cars]

I've used poor boys sealant for ages and find it works really well.

 

The first time I applied it I did three coats on each wheel but now I just polish and apply a single layer. Brake dust comes off easily with a hose pipe.

Edited March 9, 2009 by Retro Pug

[mr_exe 1]

We used silver colour magic on our wheels whe they came back from being refurbed and the brake dust just wipes off with some kitchen towel. Being a saddo I did both sides

[SurGie 54]

or a much easier and cheaper way is to spend ten min each week keeping them clean

and they wont get too dirty that it takes ages to clean. Simple

[chocolate_o_brian 0]

When I had my old Impreza (had 17" P1 Prodrive/Oz-Racing alloys), I used to do the following...

 

Hose down induvidually with pressure washer (Karcher).

Spray with Autoglym "clean wheels"

Leave for a min or two

Agitate with a Meguiars wheel brush

Hose down again with pressure washer

Dry with a microfibre towel

Spray with Autoglym "alloy wheel seal"

Buff off after a min or two

 

These were the usual results...

(Before Graphics were added)

(After Graphics were added)

 

I use a similar method for the Pugs wheels, but they're in need of a refurb which I'm gonna do myself with a load of wet/dry and rattle cans. Afterwards I'll be swapping for Poorboys products, as they are the daddy.

[philfingers 5]

where do you get the poorboys products from?

 

phil

[chocolate_o_brian 0]

where do you get the poorboys products from?

 

phil

 

Ebay or www.polishedbliss.co.uk would be a good guess. There is a company on Ebay who sell high end valeting products, the name eludes me but have thme in my fav. sellers list.

[Pug_101 0]

Auto Glym Extra Gloss Protection would work better, as its an actual sealant. Polish offers very little protection, its aimed at makign the surface look nice. Sealers go on top, adding a layer of protection. Theres many different kinds, i just used EGP as an example seeign as you used AG.

 

I use Zaino, which is damn good, but exspensive. Sealant on wheels doesnt last as long as on paint. Due to more vigorous cleaning, and brake dust etc. Re apply every 2-3 months normally. Or when you notice there getting harder to clean.

 

Any wheel cleaner with acid in it should be used very carefully. Especially when sealant / wax whatever is on the wheels, as it can easily strip it off.

TFR is similar stripping wise. Depending on concentration etc.

 

Good post Rom, I was getting worried with all the talk of Acids and TFR.

 

 

Using a good wheel cleaner that's not acid based is the way to go, Bilberry (as it's been mentioned) is one such product and has outstanding cleaning power without any damaging side effects. One warning I'll add is not to use it on bare aluminum. To be honest although we use a sealant on customers wheels with the use of something like Bilberry I don't find the need to protect wheels for my own cars.

The Duragloss sealants are very good for the wheels and as they have similar qualities to Zanio in terms of looks, they make a cheap alternative. I would go with a sealer on wheels in general as they have a higher temperature resistance and tend to be slicker, so the dirt has less chance to stick. Bilt Hammer AutoBalm is an exception with the sealers, strange as it's made from the same chemical base as Zaino and Duragloss.

As for how good is Autoglym, It's good stuff and I rate it higher than some of the new hyper marketed brands.