Help with some Dirty Rims!

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Old 11-22-2008 | 08:05 PM
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Help with some Dirty Rims!

So i just picked up a set of Super Rozzas and they are GRIMEY, i got gunk caked all over the lip and I am having a super hard time taking it off.

What I did at first was just use some polish and towel and was working through it by hand on the not-so bad tires...this worked a bit but took me forever.

Was wondering what the exact technique was, I've heard about the wet sanding or using wool cloths. but I just don't want to damage or leave scratches on the finish of the lip (polished). To me it just doesn't seem right to be sanding or using wool scrubber on a nice finish to clean it... won't it get scratched up?

First time doing anything with something polished so your advice is appreciated.

The below pictures are after I spent some time just polishing it by hand and buffing with Blue magic polish.







These 2nd set of pictures are of the worst rim with all that brake dust caked on for years, just polishing was NOT helping.... What do I do for these?




Last edited by jimsta; 11-22-2008 at 08:09 PM.
Old 11-22-2008 | 08:13 PM
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Hmm...the pictures didnt work, but here goes again


Super Dirty before any cleaning has been done.








Cleaning has been done but need more work.



Old 11-23-2008 | 01:57 AM
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meguiars or mothers metal polish and some good spray cleaner
go to the parts store and ask for help
Old 11-23-2008 | 01:59 AM
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the Sonic Scrubber tool will make fast work of that stuff too- found at wallyworld in auto section- 10 bucks- get the extra pack of 4 different style/shape heads for another 10 and be able to detail the entire car!
Old 11-23-2008 | 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by 01tl4tl
the Sonic Scrubber tool will make fast work of that stuff too- found at wallyworld in auto section- 10 bucks- get the extra pack of 4 different style/shape heads for another 10 and be able to detail the entire car!
Have you personaly used this scrubber? And what cleaner did you use with it?
Old 11-23-2008 | 09:55 AM
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From: Trail BC CanaDUH
Blue Magic is a non-abrasive cleaner used to remove oxidization .. your dealing with brake dust that has been left on .. Brake dust when exposed to moisture for a period of time becomes acidic and will eat into the metal.

You might have to end up wet sanding with 2000 then 3000 then polishing to bring them back assuming they aren't/weren't clear coated.
Old 11-23-2008 | 12:19 PM
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I have a sonic scrubber and use it on many things- just picked up the `car detail pack` of 4 heads- an angle -a cone- etc, for even more uses
One of our detail pro's hooked me up originally- he uses them on every job

For cleaner, depending on what wheel-painted-clearcoat etc- there are good foaming cleaners or something with natural citrus base works for me
Shoot it- sonic scrub it and rinse
follow up with appropriate polish for the surface
Old 11-23-2008 | 12:19 PM
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I'm not 100% sure if they were clear coated but I Read somewhere that if you use metal polish and it turns to black when you rub it in, there is no clear coat.

I'll check into that sonic scrubber tool... I was hoping I wouldn't have to sand it down...but i guess i'll do what i gotta do.
Old 11-23-2008 | 12:20 PM
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Once the wheels are clean- I use a few coats of auto wax- synthetic- its higher temp resistant, and the wheels stay much cleaner and wash off easy
Old 11-23-2008 | 12:22 PM
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wallyworld has the scrubbers- 10 bucks for main tool- 10 more for the extra heads you will want.
They even make a kitchen/bath set of scrubber heads- with replacable scubber pads-to make it a multi-purpose tool
Old 11-23-2008 | 12:36 PM
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Did the cloth turn black when you used the polish?

Let us know how you make out if you buy the tool.

A good low $$ OTC sealant that works excellent on wheels is NuFinush liquid .. but no matter what you use you still need to wash them often or your back to square one.
Old 11-23-2008 | 01:40 PM
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Yea, when i put on the polish the cloth turned black.

I'm going to check with Patrick at excel detail on the sonic scrubber quality. He sells it on his site, so I shall ask his opinion on it.

ANy suggestions on a good strong spray cleaner? I want to try other manners before I need to start wet sanding to get off the gunk.
Old 11-23-2008 | 01:55 PM
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Patrick-ExcelDetail, is who first introduced me to the Sonic Scrubber- won it on his contest and learned some of its many uses from him! He says every time he uses it (on every detail job) he learns a new use!
He sells them as a convenience to customers- mostly with other order items

Wallys has them cheap and the extra heads- 20 bucks total for both- use the auto repair entrance to the store and they will be right there- thats the only way I go ww~

What I DO suggest from Patrick-- is Optimum polish compounds for cleaning paint and removing scratches down to microfine mirror finish, then Optimal spray synthetic carnuba blend on the whole car and wheels--
the UDM rocks for the serious detailer
Made my LGM dark grey multi color 01TL look like I had no idea it could!
And that was a careful first effort with UDM and products- 2nd effort made it a neighborhood showpiece- with people asking if I got a new car or painted the old one lol

carnuba wax will drip right off hot wheels- ask patrick- thats who told me to use synthetic with its 100 degree higher melt point.
Old 11-23-2008 | 02:01 PM
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go to the parts store- show them a wheel, or pics, and ask which product is specific to your type wheels and prob-something in a foam would be a good start- so it soaks-you scrub a little- let it soak- then scrub and rinse with water

Or get a citrus based spray cleaner and the sonic and go to it in same manner

On the chrome edge, after its mostly cleaned of dirt/crud, use meguirs or mothers metal polish- I am using the stuff for motorcycle metals- works on everything not clearcoated- taking years of grunge off the wheels for my motorcycle and shines them like new

patrick will say its a good device or he would not sell it- thats how he is- if he wont use it on his customer or personal cars- he doesnt sell it.
His real biz is detailing, with the items as a thing to help out ziners and other forums who constantly asked what to use!
Old 11-23-2008 | 02:02 PM
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read all product labels yourself to back up what the parts guy says
Old 11-23-2008 | 02:57 PM
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AIight, thanks dude, I guess I will go to the parts store to ask, but I only have Autozone/ R&S strauss around here, not sure if they would really know all the deal with everything.
Old 11-25-2008 | 07:43 PM
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So there are no wally worlds here in NYC and I spent 45 minutes driving around trying to find that damn sonic scrubber!!!! in the end i ordered it on ebay for like $27 with heads... more expensive than 014tl stated, but what can I do...hopefully i get it this weeeknd and can test it out!

This sonic Scrubber better work!!!! Will post results
Old 11-25-2008 | 07:48 PM
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From: Trail BC CanaDUH
Eceldetail a sponsor here sells them

http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/s...etail&ct=59990
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