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Hi SAU , ive recently bought a set of new rims and they are very dirty and self car-wash functionality just wont clean it.

Im thinking to get one of those cheap Engine Degreaser $4 (one of the 5stars shitty brand, coz good one probably be too harsh for the wheels).

However im worring about it will take the clear coat off as well as the centre cap as its plastic painted on. (stupid mate has his center cap paint ripped cuz he used engine degreaser :D )

Apparently you could wax them after cleaning them so the dust wont stay/stick onto the rims.Would just like to confirm if engine degreaser is safe for Froged Rims.

i would assume a wheel brush is essential for this job ?

p,s, what cleaning products you guys use?

Cheers

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  • 2 weeks later...

What to use?....The girl friend :thumbsup:

I just use the standard car shampoo and try to get the brake dust off asap. Zymol make a coating that goes over the cleaned wheel to make it easier next time. Never tried it. As it's Zymol it will not be cheap

AUTO GLYM Wheel Cleaner or Maguires Mag Wheel cleaner.

Its pretty acidic stuff if you take a sniff at it. Spray it on the wheel and let it soak for about 15 sec / 1min depending on the instructions.

But I spay it on, scrub as quickly as you can with the wheel brush then hose of ASAP.

Or just wash your wheels with car wash and get the elbow grease into it... SCRUB HARDER!!!

LOL!

Yes but then all your volk stickers come off...those pesky things!

wonder if someone can powder coat the label on at the same time as they powder coat your rims...

LOL!

How did you know I had Volk stickers? Or you probley have Volk rims yourself.

I must say the stickers are stuck down on the wheels are quite hard to get off.

Previous owner tried to peel off the RAYS ENGINERING sticker but did a half ass job on my wheels.

For the love of god don't use degreaser, use a clear coat friendly mag/wheel cleaner if you must. Something from Mothers, Meguiars, Autoglym, not some cheap ass crap you buy for $3.49.

Once they are nice and clean, you can use a wax or polish on them to protect them from UV and stop the brake dust from imbedding into them as quickly. Then just wash them normally when you wash the car to get rid of the brake dust, however make sure you use a pH neutral shampoo that doesn't take off wax (eg. Meguiars soft wash, Mothers gold class etc). Make sure you clean your wheels last if using a sponge, cloth etc, so you don't scratch your paintwork from the build up of dirt on the wheels.

With this method, you won't need to use wheel cleaners.

Edited by PM-R33
  • 2 months later...

meguiars non-acid wheel cleaner is tha shit. very good for cleaning you nice forged jap alloys. you'll need to get a bit of elbow grease into it too though if the brake dust is really baked on there.

has anybody ever used oven cleaner like Mr sheen? just wondered about this coz i use eagle one wheel cleaner stuff now and i was thinking it seems to spray on like over cleaner? anybody game to give some a try?

dont use oven cleaner - they are cuastic and will east paint fast.

great for cleaning baked on oil under rocker covers though

^^that. i've tried all the ones available at your autobarn or repco, and the mothers ones are the best. just be careful when you spray onto your wheels after a drive. if it hits your rotors and becomes steam, you'll choke on the shit

clean your rims properly once. Then each week...

1) wet rims (HP rinse preferable)

2) spray PWC

3) let it dwell for a bit

4) HP rinse

that's it. PWC will get rid of weekly build up without breaking a sweat.

Even if you don't have time to wash the entire car, just do the rims. Clean rims and glass can do wonders if you're in a rush.

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