We had a very long period of intermittent rain (never more than 3 days without) here in SB for about 2-3 months. As a consequence of that and several long trips, I did not wash my car and a lot of break dust collected on my 05’ Chrome Look (or Black Chrome) A-Spec wheels (especially the fronts) so they almost looked black. I just took my car in yesterday for a hand carwash and after the wash I noticed that my wheels (fronts >>backs) are stained by the break dust and I can’t remove the stain with anything I have tried. I asked the carwash what they used to clean the wheels and they said a multipurpose cleaning solvent. I’m wonder if the solvent could have interacted with the break dust to stain the wheels or if it is the break dust alone or maybe with acid rain? Any ideas or suggestions of what to do?

 

If they used a solvent....they fucked em up! Soap and Water Only Rims......

Have the same rims.....new in the box they come with a warning stating about wash with soap and water only. They probably thought they were chrome and dont know about "chome look" - these are not chrome at all and must be cared for with ease. If they were highly built up.....you could have had a prob anyway? You really should wash these every few weeks at a minimum!

 

Simple Green as a degreaser works great to clean wheels.

 

So it looks like I'm out of luck. They said they don't use the solvent on chrome wheels but mine were so dirty they probably didn't know they should be treated like chrome and I didn't tell them...on the other hand I assumed it was a soap and water wash. I'm not sure I'll be able to get anywhere by pressing it with the car wash, I'd probably have to sue them. Let this be a lesson for others…an expensive lesson…

 

Dont use it on Chrome Look A-Spec Rims though....cause they are NOT chrome....but painted.

 

Went back to the hand carwash and talked with the owner and they did use solvent on my wheels and he said he would pay to have them refinished if possible or otherwise replace them. He said his guys should have known better than to use solvent on chrome wheels, painted or otherwise. So now I just have to talk with my dealer to see what the options are in terms of getting the wheels refinished or replaced. Ya baby!

 

Good news buddy!! It doesnt come out like that very often does it!!

A+ for a company standing behind itself and its reputation there! You should give them a shout out here anyway!

 

great news....good luck!

 

I'll give a big shout out when my new wheels are on the TL. I don't want to give the Car Wash a premature shoutoutulation until the deal is done. My Acura dealer tells me the car wash owner called and told him to order the wheels and is sending a check for ~$2200 to cover balancing and installation. My fingers and toes are crossed.