devestator_x

iTrader: (1)

How are you all cleaning your wheels? Sprays? Scrub brushes? Im looking to get new American racing wheels in a few months and dont want to mess up the clearcoat on them.

Right now with my factory rims, I started using Eagle One wheel cleaner with a brush, but didnt like how they were coming out (not very clean to be honest) so on a whim I tried a Mr Clean Magic Eraser that i snagged from the wife. Cleaned them up to nearly new. Thing is I have read that Magic Erasers can be abrasive and can in certain situations, dull finishes. The factory rims are old enough that they arent shiny anyway, but I dont want to ruin the new rims with ignorance.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

I use a product by mcguires called "Hot Rims". It is a spray and they have a version for coated and un-coated wheels. Cleans them up good, especially on coated wheels like you are talking about. Simply spray, wait a few seconds, and scrub with a soft brush.

For like-new shine though I take about an hour (per set of 4) and use a product called Nevr-dull. I don't know how it would work with coated wheels, but for my uncoated aluminums it makes them look brand new.

I'm sure everybody has their own tips and tricks though.

gt4373

I Don't Use Any Special Wheel Cleaners,I Use The Same Auto Wash I Use On The Body, Has Worked For Me On These Almost 30 Year Old Wheels.

paul_huryk

I'm going to weigh in since I sell Griot's Garage, Chemical guys, and other brand detailing products - plus I detail cars here in the shop.

As I have just about any wheel cleaning product at my disposal, it can be difficult to choose - but I have a few that are always used.

For brake dust heavy cars such as BMW and Audi, I use Sonax Full Effect, which chemically eats the metal particles without harming the finish. It would be very useful if one has pads that put out a lot of dust (some street & race pads)

For normal cars, I use either Griot's wheel cleaner (green - regular) and their chrome wheel cleaner, which take care of all the cases that the Sonax won't work for. I've also used Meguiar's Hot wheel cleaner and a few others, but the economy (amount per $) is not as good - unless you pick them up on sale.

The one suggestion I will make is to use a separate bucket and sponge/MF mitt to clean your wheels and tires. Reason being that brake dust is essentially powdered metal that should never come in contact with anything used to wash paint and glass on any vehicle. Another worthwhile suggestion I can make is to wash your wheels & tires first and then the car's paint after.

One additional item that is worth mentioning is waxing (or sealing your wheels), which keeps brake dust at lower levels and makes it easier to clean. I do this on my own cars and it really makes sense. You can even use regular wax if you use a wheel-only pad to apply and never use that container's contents on the paint (it will have paint scratching brake dust in it).

luvofjah

iTrader: (2)

Paint clear coat or powder coat? Clear powder coat cleans very easily with soap and water. Various finishes require various kinds of cleaners. Next set of wheels I will get clear powder coat again, being how easy it is to clean.

devestator_x

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for all the insight and useful info.

@Luvofjah... they are machined aluminum with clear coat...
http://tinyurl.com/nfjxfgs

American Racing AR23 in case the tiny url doesnt work.