Keeping alloys clean

[cheese99]

Anyone got any tips on keeping alloys clean. I got some wonder wheels to use but don't want to use this every week. Someone mentioned sugar soap? Is there something you can put on to make them shine?

cheers

[granville]

Sorry Nick but Wonder Wheels it has to be! Every time too, so's to avoid the immovable ingraining of dirt particles...by far and away the best wheel cleaning product I've found to-date (Once a week, minimum - no excuses now!)

[gazzab]

I use autoglym wheel cleaner. I feel wonder wheels is to acidic and hve heard it isnt good for wheels. Probably not true but I dont use it.

[joust]

I've tried "Turtle Wax Brake Dust Repellant" - seems to work OKish but too much faff really - wonder wheels every time.

J

[olly]

I don't use anything special to keep the wheels clean (use the left over Turtle wax "Wash & Wax" that I use to wash the car)... The original 16" wheels seem to be very easy to keep clean (mind you, they do get washed at least once a week)!
Click here for full sized pic

The wheels on my wifes Polo however are a right pain in the a*se, and Wonder Wheels has to be used once a month.

[plotloss]

A slighty off solution to the issue, but worthwhile nonetheless is after giving your wheels a good clean smear some baby oil all over them (ideally without the Mrs or the neighbours seeing). It doesnt keep them particularly clean, but when you do come to wash you dont need any nasty chemicals a mere wipe will do.

Matt.

[K1 Cerb]

Am I the only Sado who takes the wheels off to clean them? Every 4 or 5 washes, off they all come - adds an hour to the process, but I feel it's worth while.
Keith P

[Agent006]

K1 Cerb said: Am I the only Sado who takes the wheels off to clean them? Every 4 or 5 washes, off they all come - adds an hour to the process, but I feel it's worth while.
Keith P

Nope, i do it too. Clean the arches out at the same time. I did go through a phase of waxing the wheels at the same time as the car, but it didn't seem to make much difference really.

I suppose you could keep a bottle of water in the car for sloshing on the wheels at strategic intervals.

[d_drinks]

Normally use Wonder Wheels, spray it on first wash the car then come back to the wheels, not scrubbing required. Though having renewed my subscrption to EVO I now have the equivalent from Comma, seems to be just as good. Stings like hell on the skin though !!

[swilly]

Autoglym is the bizziness

[leszekg]

I used Wonder Wheels on chrome wires a number of years back but found that it stripped the protective layer and caused the wheels to rapidly corode. Haven't used it since. May not be a problem on alloys but I haven't dared to risk it. I just regularly wash the wheels in car shampoo and occasionally use Autoglym - works for me.

[BLUETHUNDER]

Please Please Please.Dont ever use any form of wheel cleaner on your wheels,they all contain acid, all of them.In time they will all slowly erode the laquer on your wheels.Just use hot water and soap.And before some one says im talking cobblers,well my cousin runs a wheel refurbishing businees,and the amount of times he has customers coming to him with wheels where the laquer as gone and with the same old question of "i cant understand it ,i only ever use a branded wheel cleaner" beggers belief.Dont use it.

[olly]

You can always buy a cheap "Jet Wash" & just use very high pressure water to clean the wheels. Just don't point at at your paint work !

[Podie]

Wonder Wheels and Autoglym wheel cleaner jobbies are both good... but you can also use Autoglym Engine cleaner and Machine cleaner, if they just have light brake dust on them... and believe it or not WD40 can do a good job too...

[cheese99]

Thanks for all the responses. I always believed that Wonder Wheels will eventually take off the laquer but keep hearing conflicting stories.

Olly, I've bought a cheap Jet Washer and what concerns do you have for using it on the bodywork? Obviously I will stand well back when washing the car. Jet washing can't damage the fibreglass, can it?

[GarryM]

olly said: You can always buy a cheap "Jet Wash" & just use very high pressure water to clean the wheels. Just don't point at at your paint work !

I did that on some OZ wheels on my old car and it very neatly removed the lacquer! Agree soap and water is best but it only works if you clean them regularly. Polishing with super resin polish (Autoglym) after cleaning makes the job easier still the next time.

[Podie]

er... don't TVR themselves recommend Wonder Wheels...?

[P7ULG]

Usually clean my alloys with Autoglym "Motorcycle cleaner" not as caustic as the wheel cleaner, and so probably kinder to the discs ( Also bigger bottle for the money).I then usually give the wheels a spray with Autoglym " show shine" and then buff it off.One problem that I have found is if you use a spray on tyre dressing this makes the brake dust stick to the wheels.

[stag]

Just leave the wheels dirty and drive the car. Wheel washing is a bloody good waste of solid driving time.

What about disposable wheel trims? A nice alloy effect example. When they get dirty chuck them away.

Well smart!

[P7ULG]

stag said: Just leave the wheels dirty and drive the car. Wheel washing is a bloody good waste of solid driving time.

What about disposable wheel trims? A nice alloy effect example. When they get dirty chuck them away.

Well smart!

Yes just had a look at the photo of your cerbera, those placka wheel trims look really authentic theses days