Cleaning Wheels

[mostin]

These are my wheels

Im trying to clean the outer rims, as you can see from the picture, i;ve cleaned them and they are smoothe to the touch but have this staining that i cant seem to get rid of

Does anyone have any ideas on how to clean these, my friend said to use 1500 wet/dry paper but i'm not sure what that would do

 

[Dr-Nab]

Get some Iron X on it, will sort those bits out
Iron X - Highly Effective ph Balanced Cleaner

 

[developer]

Then they will be bostin Mostin (sorry, once a Brummie).

 

[mikec32]

I can't really see the pics on my iPhone properly but are the outer edge diamond turned? If so iron x won't completely fix what looks to be light corrosion/pitting. But I could be wrong as I can't see the pics close enough:s

 

[evdok]

This is why i hate diamond cut, they never last.

 

[mikec32]

They last perfectly fine you just have to look after them. My brought CLK63 wheels for my 32AMG. All I did was put to coats of C1 and just washed them weekly with ph shampoo. Yes a ball ache to some but 2 years later still in perfect condition. If they are diamond turn your best option is to have them turned again and this time protect them with a crystal laquer.

 

[Beno]

Looking at the photos it looks like the start of corrosion, so like detailed said, iron X won't get rid of it but will probably improve it.

 

[mostin]

Are they diamond cut? I have no idea..so iron x is the thing to try yeah?

 

[nigel cross]

Are they diamond cut? I have no idea..so iron x is the thing to try yeah?

No iron x wont work, its great at what it does, which is to remove iron based contamination, but your problem looks like oxidation under the laquer.

 

[Merc Owner 2B]

No iron x wont work, its great at what it does, which is to remove iron based contamination, but your problem looks like oxidation under the laquer.

I agree. So any attempt to remove it will take the lacquer off and make the problem worse. Only a full refurb will restore this finish.

 

[mostin]

Thanks everyone for your help, is a refurb an expensive thing to do?

 

[Merc Owner 2B]

Where are you based? I'm sure someone knows of a business not too far away from you.

A business like this.....

The Wheel Medics

 

[Dr-Nab]

The lips have oxidised yes, but from the pictures it is quite clear to see there are tar spots/particles etc all over the alloys too so iron-x would work to a degree.

I've treated my diamond cut lips to a couple of coats of gtechniq c5 so far (spokes and insides have had one coat) and the difference that stuff makes is unreal.

 

[nigel cross]

The lips have oxidised yes, but from the pictures it is quite clear to see there are tar spots/particles etc all over the alloys too so iron-x would work to a degree.

I've treated my diamond cut lips to a couple of coats of gtechniq c5 so far (spokes and insides have had one coat) and the difference that stuff makes is unreal.

If they are tar spots etc.... then you should use Tardis, thats what its made for.

 

[Rory]

... gtechniq c5 so far (spokes and insides have had one coat) and the difference that stuff makes is unreal.

Unfortunately it's been out of stock everywhere for some time. I did buy the last bottle of C1 that one supplier had yesterday (it's allegedly the same stuff) and it arrived the morning!

 

[millo777]

fwiw those lips look to me to be polished rather than diamond cut, but it's hard to tell.

Rather than sending all 4 wheel off to be diamond cut, I'd be tempted to try and find somewhere local to have a go at polishing them and re lacquering them. This could probably be done fairly quickly and cheaply and may not even require the tyres to be removed. If it doesn't work, then go the full refurb route. Depending on where you live and whether you have access to replacement wheels while yours are being refurbed, it could be major ball ache.

@detailed, any reason you use C1 rather and C5 on your wheels? I can't find either in stock anywhere, even on getechniq.com so will have to break out the trusty fk1000p this weekend instead.

 

[designo500]

My last car had Merc split rims with a diamond turned rim. These inevitably turned dull in places and had a slight milky effect underneath the laquer despite the laquer appearing unbroken. I'm told that is inevitable no matter how well they are looked after. Mercedes had done warranty repair to the finish at very low miles

I had them powder coated by the Alloy Wheel Specialist (franchise). The centre of the wheels were done in the original Silver, but the rims were done in a polished effect powder coat rather than diamond turned again. Not as blinging as diamond , but better than matching silver.

They looked great and the wheels were coated everywhere rather than just on the face. Not cheap but longer lasting solution.

 

[flango]

They last perfectly fine you just have to look after them. My brought CLK63 wheels for my 32AMG. All I did was put to coats of C1 and just washed them weekly with ph shampoo. Yes a ball ache to some but 2 years later still in perfect condition. If they are diamond turn your best option is to have them turned again and this time protect them with a crystal laquer.

Did exactly the same with mine, 5 years later no issues pitting or corrosion look after them and they will last neglect them and they'll corrode just like any alloy wheel

 

[mostin]

Where are you based? I'm sure someone knows of a business not too far away from you.

A business like this.....

The Wheel Medics

Based in Somerset, not far from taunton

 

[jefrs]

This thing

cleans wheels

Whatisit? - it's a ball what goes on your cordless drill, you plunk it in a bucket of suds, then blast it around the wheels. Substitute for brush after initial wash/hose-off. You /can/ use it for polishing, but wheel wax doesn't need that. Gets in to small places.