Suggestions For Cleaning Alloys

[Cyker]

Does anyone have a good trick for cleaning alloys?

I've been trying to keep mine clean because I don't want a repeat of the previous owner, who apparently never cleaned them and just let them corrode like crazy.

I've been doing a fair job, but I want a better way of cleaning off the little black spots and also the backface of the spokes.

Also, does anyone know of something that can remove wheel-weight adhesive without damaging the alloy or surface lacquer?

I just noticed a huge strip of the stuff on the outer rim where Toyota removed the old weights. Tried scrubbing them a bit but that didn't do much and I don't want to scrub harder and risk scratching up the rim :S

[Cookie-monster]

I use a product called "wonder wheels" alloy wheel cleaner, and it very good, comes with a brush that you apply it with.

If you have the original Toyota CDX alloy wheels as in my car pic, then they are terrible for corrosion - I just had to replace mine with a new set of alloys as eventually they start leaking pressure out around the rims and valve seating due to corrosion. all 4 of mine kept going down avery couple of weeks and were well corroded. It would have cost £80 to have them all reseated and rims wire brushed, so I spent £350 on a brand new set of allys and tyres.

[Cyker]

Yeah, same here. Bought PaulT's Aygo's old set and had them powder coated and lacquered before I put them on to be doubly sure. Been in pretty good nick since apart from a slight kerbing on the front left :)

BTW, is this the stuff?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_195615_langId_-1_categoryId_165682

[Hartside]

Be careful with the wonder wheels as it is very acidic and can get behind areas of loose lacquer and do damage. I much prefer Turtle Wax Extreme Nano wheel cleaner or Meguiars Hot rims. The former I find really good for shifting grime.

[Hou]

People get really worried about acidic wheel cleaners so instead go the other way and get really alkaline cleaner which is just as bad IF you use it wrong, both are fine if you use them properly.

Your best bet is going for something like Dodo juice Mellow Yellow:

"Really gets to work on brake dust, yet very kind to wheels because it targets the contamination, not the surface underneath. Unlike the extremely caustic alkali products on the market, created because of scaremongering about acids, this is an acidic treatment with a ‘controlled effect’ giving the best of both worlds."

As for brushes just use a soft paintbrush!

[Cyker]

Choices choices!

Has anyone tried the Muc-Off stuff?

I think I'll need fairly strong stuff to clean off the wheel weight tack, but the rest of the wheel is just surface brake dust and lots of little dots of hardened dust or tar.

I must admit I'd rather leave them a bit dirty than risk damaging the lacquer and powercoat tho'!

[Hou]

No sadly not, only for puch bikes and it isn't bad at all!

The Autobrite very cherry is good which I know from experience, plus with it coming concentrated you get great value plus control over the strength when you dilute it (generally 10-1)!

[Madasafish]

Try white spirit and vinegar.. cheap and it works..

[Cyker]

Is that for the tack or the whole wheel?

[Cookie-monster]

just looked at the Wonder Wheels box and it says that it is NOT suitable for Chrome plated wheels, unlaquered wheels, or wheels with damaged laquer.

If you use it carefully and only use the soft brush it is supplied with on undamaged wheels, it should be fine - the damage is only done if you apply it to split or peeling laquered areas, in which case it damages the aluminium. I will be using it on my new wheels, but not on any areas that get scuffed or otherwise damaged. I suppose it would be a good idea to inspect the wheels for any damaged laquer and use a touch up kit to re-apply the laquer before corrosion sets in. As I got the car from my mother, she never bothered about corrosion of the original wheels over the 7 years she had it, although the tyres started going down in the end, and I was left with no choice really but to either have the originals shot blasted and powder coated, or buy new wheels.

I used Wonder wheels for years on variuous cars, and never found a problem with it.

[Madasafish]

I had a E30 BMW 320i with the lovely cross spoke alloys which looked beautiful but were very difficult to clean due to the intricate design. I used WonderWheels regularly with great success . But you need to wear gloves...

[Cyker]

Gloves? Hmm, so this stuff can cause minor chemical burns on contact with skin then? (Like glofuel?) Or is it just a precaution?

I'll probably need stuff like that for the tack, but sounds a bit harsh for regular use

I shall have to wander round halfrauds and have a read of the fine print on some of these boxes and sprays...!

@fishy - I know what you mean! Those diamond cross pattern wheels are a nightmare to properly clean

I now much prefer simple alloys; The ones on Hou's Celica could be perfect for me - 5 slim spokes and lots of space to clean around them!

Mine are pretty tight being 14" rims so cleaning the back of the spokes and the far edges of the rim is pretty tricky. (Luckily I have my patented Bit Of Sponge On A Stick )

[Hou]

If you can wait until the end of tomorrow I will be posting up pictures of what both the Autobrite stuff and the Dodo Mellow do to the baked on crap at the back of my alloys when I take them off

[Cyker]

I shall wait with baited breath! :)

[Hou]

One filthy alloy:

Dodo left, Autobrite right on all pictures:

Back:

The back isn't perfect but for one application pretty damn good!

[Madasafish]

Gloves?

A precaution. Any small cuts and the acid in Wonder Wheels stings.

As my hands have near permanent cuts from DIY (!) or thorns in them from gardening, I use a pair of acid/paint/chemical resistant gloves which I use for DIY. They are very tough and easy to use.

[Cyker]

@Hou - Nice! They both seem about as effective as each other from the photos; Think I'd prefer the 'gentler' stuff :)

A friend says he has some stuff that cleans and seals the wheel to stop things like tar spots sticking to it as much so I may try that (Manly because it doesn't require me to buy anything ) and then see about the mellow yellow :)

@Fishy - Ahh, point. Contact dermatitis sucks