What alloy wheel cleaner?
Discussion
If you plan on keeping on top of the wheels properly, then focus more on a good sealant/wax than powerful cleaning products.
I keep my wheels regularly topped up with poorboys (because it's cheap, better options are available) so all I need to do is use the regular bodywork shampoo to clean them off - even after a trackday when the brake material has made itself present.
We do have a car in the fleet that I simply CBA "protecting" the wheels, but I've got some general purpose degreaser in a pump spray can in the garage which I use... seems to do the job just fine, but no idea how safe it would be on wheels that I actually care about!
If you do need to do a proper hardcore detox before you start a proper protection regime, then bilberry always gets my vote.
I keep my wheels regularly topped up with poorboys (because it's cheap, better options are available) so all I need to do is use the regular bodywork shampoo to clean them off - even after a trackday when the brake material has made itself present.
We do have a car in the fleet that I simply CBA "protecting" the wheels, but I've got some general purpose degreaser in a pump spray can in the garage which I use... seems to do the job just fine, but no idea how safe it would be on wheels that I actually care about!
If you do need to do a proper hardcore detox before you start a proper protection regime, then bilberry always gets my vote.
Sorry, please excuse my ignorance but whats the difference between a deep clean and a maintenance wash? I'm guessing the deep clean is for when it has been caked in grime for years and it finally gets some love? A maintenance wash is a regular wash?
I'm kinda at the beginning of my detailing journey
be gentle
I'm kinda at the beginning of my detailing journey
be gentle Fonzey said:
If you plan on keeping on top of the wheels properly, then focus more on a good sealant/wax than powerful cleaning products.
I keep my wheels regularly topped up with poorboys (because it's cheap, better options are available) so all I need to do is use the regular bodywork shampoo to clean them off - even after a trackday when the brake material has made itself present.
We do have a car in the fleet that I simply CBA "protecting" the wheels, but I've got some general purpose degreaser in a pump spray can in the garage which I use... seems to do the job just fine, but no idea how safe it would be on wheels that I actually care about!
If you do need to do a proper hardcore detox before you start a proper protection regime, then bilberry always gets my vote.
This is my new pride and joy. First new M Car for me and my second M but I want it looking sweet most of the time.I keep my wheels regularly topped up with poorboys (because it's cheap, better options are available) so all I need to do is use the regular bodywork shampoo to clean them off - even after a trackday when the brake material has made itself present.
We do have a car in the fleet that I simply CBA "protecting" the wheels, but I've got some general purpose degreaser in a pump spray can in the garage which I use... seems to do the job just fine, but no idea how safe it would be on wheels that I actually care about!
If you do need to do a proper hardcore detox before you start a proper protection regime, then bilberry always gets my vote.
T1berious said:
Sorry, please excuse my ignorance but whats the difference between a deep clean and a maintenance wash? I'm guessing the deep clean is for when it has been caked in grime for years and it finally gets some love? A maintenance wash is a regular wash?
I'm kinda at the beginning of my detailing journey be gentle
No need to excuse. I'm no detailing guru.I'm kinda at the beginning of my detailing journey
be gentle Bilt Hamber stuff is quite heavy duty, so would be a bit overkill to use that on every wash, if you are washing weekly. I'd use it maybe once every couple of months, or if the car is particularly dirty. It has a fallout remover in it.
Bilberry is a good wheel cleaner to use for those weekly washes when the car isn't too bad. It's PH neutral, so not as harsh.
BH Auto wheel is basically fallout remover with some added detergents.
It will remove baked on brake dust and the like.
Its also (same for all fallout remover) pretty nasty stuff. Regular & frequent use is expected to lead to dulling of the finish.
I use once or twice a year. agitate with a brush for stubborn bits and nooks & crannies.
You can also clay wheels to get rid of persistent muck/brake dust.
For regular washes normally I wash the car and then use the last of that water to go round the wheels.
If I feel I need something more I use a bit of bilberry cleaner - squirt on before snowfoam, foam wheels too and rinse off.
Once clean I use Raceglaze wheel sealant. The ceramics are allegedly better but are an utter pain to apply and are expensive - I wasn't overly impressed with C5. The raceglaze one is dead easy to use and more cost effective, looks better too (IMHO).
It will remove baked on brake dust and the like.
Its also (same for all fallout remover) pretty nasty stuff. Regular & frequent use is expected to lead to dulling of the finish.
I use once or twice a year. agitate with a brush for stubborn bits and nooks & crannies.
You can also clay wheels to get rid of persistent muck/brake dust.
For regular washes normally I wash the car and then use the last of that water to go round the wheels.
If I feel I need something more I use a bit of bilberry cleaner - squirt on before snowfoam, foam wheels too and rinse off.
Once clean I use Raceglaze wheel sealant. The ceramics are allegedly better but are an utter pain to apply and are expensive - I wasn't overly impressed with C5. The raceglaze one is dead easy to use and more cost effective, looks better too (IMHO).
If it’s the autoglym ‘clean wheels’ stuff you’re using, I’d steer clear. It’s basically hydrochloride acid in a spray bottle.
I’ll echo what people have said above; Bilt hamber auto wheels.
If you have the time, clean the wheels off the car, clay bar them with some mild clay, dry them off and then seal them with a ceramic coating.
I used some Gyeon prime stuff I had got on offer (‘Prime’ kit, I think) about 18 months ago.
You can tell it’s still on there. The wheels clean up easy with just the pressure washer. No contamination really sticks. The couple of little bits of tar tha manage to get a hold of them just lifts off in one piece with a finger if it’s a bit chilly. If it’s warm it’ll smear.
The Prime kit isn’t specifically for wheels, they do have one that is. I haven’t felt the need to go out and buy it.
I’ll echo what people have said above; Bilt hamber auto wheels.
If you have the time, clean the wheels off the car, clay bar them with some mild clay, dry them off and then seal them with a ceramic coating.
I used some Gyeon prime stuff I had got on offer (‘Prime’ kit, I think) about 18 months ago.
You can tell it’s still on there. The wheels clean up easy with just the pressure washer. No contamination really sticks. The couple of little bits of tar tha manage to get a hold of them just lifts off in one piece with a finger if it’s a bit chilly. If it’s warm it’ll smear.
The Prime kit isn’t specifically for wheels, they do have one that is. I haven’t felt the need to go out and buy it.
To give the wheels a really thorough initial clean & remove baked on brake dust, remove them and hit them with Harpic Power plus toilet cleaner. It contains the same stuff as Wonder wheels alloy wheel cleaner (Hydrochloric Acid) but works even better because the gel clings and doesn't run off. Plus it only costs £1 and can be watered down 50/50.
I've tried the Bilthamber stuff that people are recommending...it works on light dust, but won't shift baked on brake dust, Harpic is far superior. BUT...it will remove zink plating (and rust actually, which is also handy for some jobs), so remove the wheels before application.
I've tried the Bilthamber stuff that people are recommending...it works on light dust, but won't shift baked on brake dust, Harpic is far superior. BUT...it will remove zink plating (and rust actually, which is also handy for some jobs), so remove the wheels before application.
Edited by Dr Doofenshmirtz on Monday 18th November 15:56
Late to the thread but off the wall ( but not as extreme as above) cleaner for me is Swarfega Orange hand cleaner great at getting brake dust etc off and presume ph neutral if safe on hands. Obviously not a spray on option but doesn't take long doing each spoke with microfibre cloth.
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