Cleaning product has ruined my wheels!

[sgray]

I have just cleaned my 17" S Types with a car cleaning product, and it has completely ruined them.

On the advice of a BMW technician, I have re-cleaned them with fairy liquid and warm water to see if that would remove the marks - but it has not.

Is there anyone else here who has suffered that same fate, or has any advice? I am going to take my car to BMW next weekend to see what they say.

Really need some supportive words right now peeps! I took pics of my wheels after they were brutally attacked, I have attached one below, but have more if needed.

Si

[tip]

Wow, sorry mate no advice. I only use the BMW wheel cleaner that I get from the parts counter. I figure that if I ruin a set of wheels using BMWs own product that hopefully they will be on the hook to replace them.

Charles

[stellablade]

Sorry to hear that. I find that normal car shampoo (Autoglym) does a fine job on mine.

Hope you have a happy ending.

[AprilWhine]

I use dishwashing liquid on my white wheels.

[tip]

Quote:

Originally posted by AprilWhine
I use dishwashing liquid on my white wheels.

I was always told never to use household liquids like dishwashing liquid for the car because it is to harsh. Was I being fed a line??

Charles

[Prowse]

Quote:

Originally posted by tip
I was always told never to use household liquids like dishwashing liquid for the car because it is to harsh. Was I being fed a line??

Charles

You shouldn't use washing-up liquid on your car as it will disolve grease, oil and probably wax. Using it carefully on your wheels is probably not too bad, but you're better off with car shampoo - which is designed not to dissolve the oils and greases used throughout your car.

[TomM]

If you leave those wheel cleaners on your car for too long, you can get some nasty stains on your wheels. I would recommend staying away from all wheel cleaners.

As for dishwashing soap, its best not to use it either. Just think of your wheels as an extension of your paint. The dishwashing soap removes wax and could potetially harm the clearcoat of the wheels.

Just get down and dirty with a specific mitt/spunge/brush to clean your wheels. Remember, don't use the same sponge on your wheels as you do the rest of the car. All those tiny shards of brake pads can scratch your paint.

Tom

[Henry Cooper]

looking at your pic I would say that the cleaner has eaten away the lacquer and hasn't damaged the alloy. It may be that the lacquer was not applied perfectly allowing the cleaner to 'lift' areas of it.

It does look ugly but wheel refurbishers can get these looking like new.

You may have a long battle on your hands to get MINI or the cleaner manufacturer to take liability.

Gutted for you.

'enry

[MrMow]

Hmm, without knowing that particular product, I do have some 'Eagle One' alloy wheel cleaner, this stuff is nasty, it is designed for bare alloy, it is a metal brightner acid based etching solution, you spray it on (while trying not to breath), gently agitate and wash it off, the idea being it eats the top layer of oxidation off.
Now this stuff is for bare, untreated alloy (even un anodised, it will strip that stuff off too), if you were to get it on paint, I don't know what it would do, but I guess it would strip it eventually.
I mention this 'cause the mini wheels are painted.

Check the bottle, if it says anywhere on there 'safe for use on painted and anodised alloy wheels' sue someone, it it says not for use on painted wheels... could be bad..

[monsta]

I always use washing up liquid and hot water on my white 5 spokes, no problems so far

[acetonic]

aren't the MINI wheels all painted silver or white? I would only use a cleaner advertised to work on painted wheels.

[sgray]

Guys,

Thank you all for your support. I'll let you know how i get on next week once i've been to see BMW about the evil perpetrators of this henious crime.

If anyone else has some good advice, then i'm all ears, and Mini

Si

[dco43054]

Si,

I certainly lend my condolences for your wheels. Looks like they are going to need to be resprayed to make then look new again.

Take another look at the cleaning product you have. From what you described it sounds like it was for alloy wheels without a painted finish.

I use a Castrol product called Super Clean that specifically states that it is safe for all wheels and wheel covers, plastic, chrome, painted, etc., when used as directed. Never had a problem with it. Spray it on, let it sit for 30 seconds, and then spray it off, take a towel and clean off a little bit of residue, and then spray again. Works like a charm.

Hope everything works out,

Dave

[sgray]

I promise it says no where on it that it says it is for non-painted anywhere on the bottle - I wouldn't have taken the chance.

The autoglym product seems to be a good one, but I think next time I will just hire a valet-man!!!

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by acetonic
aren't the MINI wheels all painted silver or white? I would only use a cleaner advertised to work on painted wheels.

Yes, I think acetonic has correctly identified the problem. Stock factory MINI wheels are always painted (silver or white) with a clear coat applied on top. Sgray it sounds like the cleaning product you used is designed for the older variety of alloy wheels that were just bare metal or chromed.

I hope you get it sorted without too many problems.