Cleaning Wheels

[TripleD]

I've only just picked my car up, but having drove nearly 200 miles the white wheels are looking a little dirty.
What can you use to clean them and leave them nice?

I used WonderWheels on my last alloys and it brought them up a treat, go all the dirt and brake dust off a treat, but as these are painted white is it wise to use acid based cleaners?

Also is there something I can use/polish onto them to stop the brake dust sticking so much? most came off with a pressure washer, but some was stuck on there!

[everythingsablur]

My wheels are silver, not white life your's, but when it did get really nasty with brake dust road grime, I just had to give them a shot of Meguiar's Hot Rims and a good pass over with a sponge. That got them back looking nearly factory. It says that it's clear coat safe, but I still intend to give my wheels a good layer of WheelWax when it comes in. Check it out here: http://www.wheelwax.net/

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by TripleD

I've only just picked my car up, but having drove nearly 200 miles the white wheels are looking a little dirty.
What can you use to clean them and leave them nice?

I used WonderWheels on my last alloys and it brought them up a treat, go all the dirt and brake dust off a treat, but as these are painted white is it wise to use acid based cleaners?

Also is there something I can use/polish onto them to stop the brake dust sticking so much? most came off with a pressure washer, but some was stuck on there!

Wonderwheels can be used on white wheels without any problems. They have the same laquer on as a silver alloy. For really pitted marks, try wonderwheels and an old toothbrush.

There are many wheel wax products about to stop the build up of brake dust, try searching these forums for more info.

[SteveM3]

Wonder wheels should be o.k. but Meguiars Hot Wheels is safer. Having tried several of
the wheel wax's none seem to work. The best thing you can do for your wheels is to fit
EBC greenstuff pads. I have used greenstuff front pads both for my M3 and for my Mini
and it produces very little dust leaving the front's cleaner than the rears. You don't need
telling white wheels show up black brake dust very quickly . There are other pads
that also produce less brake dust I just don't have experience of them.

[-=cHiLli=-]

Quote:

try wonderwheels and an old toothbrush

Not a tooth brush!

Great for teath bad for paint work, you really wouldnt want to use it on your hood so the wheels are the same.

I ruined a rim on my old ride by using a toothbrush on the white wheels, a bit of the brake rust got underneath the bristles and scratched the paint to hell! It was only when i had washed the wheel off that the scratches shone through.

While the wheels are new pull them off, clean both sides, and then aply a liberal coat of wax! It will help stave off the "baked on" problem!

I hate to say it but me and my whities have a love hate relationship, love looking at them clean, hate using the brakes!

I quite seriously wash the wheels once-twice a week (dependant upon miles) with normal car shampoo and sponge, and after every wash a coat of normal basic wax is applied, this will serously help keep them in the condition you purchased them!

mD( )

[minicabrio]

Nothing wrong I've found with a soft toothbrush

[minisoopercooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by TripleD

Also is there something I can use/polish onto them to stop the brake dust sticking so much? most came off with a pressure washer, but some was stuck on there!

Auto glym alloy wheel seal is very good stuff and does just that. Theyre wheel cleaner is very good too

Paul

[robh964]

Hi all

New to this forum due to the wife buying a 02 plate Chilli Red Cooper, just thought I'd pass on some tips I've got on the Porsche forum I'm a member of.

For cleaning wheels, whether white, silver, black red etc. the best product by far is Virisol. This is available from a company called Jantastic. costs about £7 for 5 ltrs + £6ish p+p. On heavily soiled wheels spray it on neat, leave it 10 minutes and rinse / jet wash off. For weekly upkeep dilute 1:10 with water. It'll not affect brakes so you can use on calipers as well. I lot of the Porsche community use this on all sorts of wheels and non have had a bad experience.
As far as brushes go, B&Q sell a brand of paint brush which is fine horsehair, attached to a plastic grip. Much like the one supplied with Wonder Wheels. About £3 each. very fine and doesn't damage the wheel at all.

I'm not associated with any of the above mentioned companies, just understand that people like to look after their cars.

All the best

Rob

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by robh964

Hi all

New to this forum due to the wife buying a 02 plate Chilli Red Cooper, just thought I'd pass on some tips I've got on the Porsche forum I'm a member of.

For cleaning wheels, whether white, silver, black red etc. the best product by far is Virisol. This is available from a company called Jantastic. costs about £7 for 5 ltrs + £6ish p+p. On heavily soiled wheels spray it on neat, leave it 10 minutes and rinse / jet wash off. For weekly upkeep dilute 1:10 with water. It'll not affect brakes so you can use on calipers as well. I lot of the Porsche community use this on all sorts of wheels and non have had a bad experience.
As far as brushes go, B&Q sell a brand of paint brush which is fine horsehair, attached to a plastic grip. Much like the one supplied with Wonder Wheels. About £3 each. very fine and doesn't damage the wheel at all.

I'm not associated with any of the above mentioned companies, just understand that people like to look after their cars.

All the best

Rob

Good tips thanks!!

And welcome to MINI2!

[ChapSimon]

The gold alloys on my elise used to get black within a day or two until i fitted EBC greenstuff brake pads. EBC do a few different pads like this but the green ones were great for MINImising dust.

[ChapSimon]

Found a link in Products->minispares
http://new.minispares.com/Shop.aspx?cnid=6