cleaning 15 hole alloys

[wilf1227]

The alloy's on my 300E are clean but have a lot of crud build up in the corners/edges of the "holes". I have tried normal wheel cleaning products but cant seem to get rid of the last remnents.Can anyone offer some advice?

 

[npuk]

Wonder wheels alloy wheel cleaner.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/66583/alloy_wheel_cleaners.html

 

[trapperjohn]

Turtle Extreme Nano-Tech works very well for me. About a fiver, maybe a touch more at local autofactors.

 

[C43AMG]

Wonder wheels alloy wheel cleaner.

Alloy wheel cleaners | Products | Auto Express

Don't leave it on to long, use lots fo running water.

 

[The Pan Man]

Plus 1 on that last reply

 

[wilf1227]

My better half has just informed me that she has an Oral B powered toothbrush "somewhere" that is not required,so I will give it a go and report back!!

 

[Will]

They can be an awkward/time consuming wheel to clean, 15 holes per wheel x4... Takes nearly as long to wash as the car does!

Never used or been keen on the 'wonder wheels' type stuff but I guess it works for really bad baked on dirt etc. Maybe try some detailing clay if you can get a small amount in there?

Once they're all cleaned up, polish them well with some regular car polish and consider applying a coat of decent wheel wax (eg Poorboys wheel sealant etc). Should make it easier to keep clean in the future

Will

 

[Roger Jones]

Dilute the alloy wheel cleaner, whatever it is. Use a good brush (the Autoglym wheel brush is an example) and get in the crevices with an old toothbrush -- I reckon the unpowered ones are good enough on teeth or wheels. Rinse off thoroughly and, as suggested above, try a sealant such as Autoglym Alloy Wheel Seal. And, of course, the key to keeping them smart is frequent cleaning, so each session will be less arduous; try every couple of weeks, with a reward of at least two pints, and a third if you remember to check your tyre pressures too.

Autoglym's just an example; any equivalents will do. One main factor will be elbow grease.

 

[wilf1227]

Dilute the alloy wheel cleaner, whatever it is. Use a good brush (the Autoglym wheel brush is an example) and get in the crevices with an old toothbrush -- I reckon the unpowered ones are good enough on teeth or wheels. Rinse off thoroughly and, as suggested above, try a sealant such as Autoglym Alloy Wheel Seal. And, of course, the key to keeping them smart is frequent cleaning, so each session will be less arduous; try every couple of weeks, with a reward of at least two pints, and a third if you remember to check your tyre pressures too.

Autoglym's just an example; any equivalents will do. One main factor will be elbow grease.

I agree with the reward!!

 

[Ade B]

Cleaning 15 hole alloys is up there with washing up, emptying the compost bin and picking up dog poo from the back garden - I hate doing it, and as soon as its done, you have to do it again..

Our local hand car wash seems to get them clean with some vicious chemicals and their jet wash - they've also damaged the finish over 2 years... which would be a problem if the wheels weren't shagged already.

Wheel refurb on my to do list one day but regular use and local granite kerbs suggest otherwise.....

As said don't leave the wheel cleaning stuff on for too long..

Ade

 

[c43]

ValetPro - Bilberry Wheel Cleaner

Used to use Wonder Wheels a lot, but the damage to alloys with the chemicals (acid mainly I think) worried me.

Switched to the Bilberry stuff about 18 months and very impressed. Can be a bit hit and miss getting the dilution right which means you might use more than you need to, but spray it on, leave it for a bit and wash it off. It works better with higher pressure (pressure washer instead of hose), but even with a hose it works well...

 

[jeremy 2516]

If you are going to use something that will splash , like an electric toothbrush , then cover everything on yourself properly with safety clothing , it uses Hydrochloric Acid , Always keep a bucket of clean water near to you , just in case .

 

[C43AMG]

Bilberry is the best.

 

[Sp!ke]

I use paraffin.

cheap as chips and wipes the dirt off effortlesly.

 

[paul_jw]

I use caustic soda and a dishwashing brush from ikea.

 

[jaymanek]

i use fingers.. they hurt afterwards.