CGT4ME

I'm going to wash my 17" 5-spoke rims this weekend. What product should I use?

Also, what car polish is best? I've used Zymoil in the past and thought it worked pretty good on my Accord and Civic.

Thanks!

CDR

There are many choices of wheel cleaners available. You need to exercise some caution with wheel cleaners, since many are either very acid or very basic (alkaline) and can mess up polished metal or clear coat. Or your hands!

Personally, I use Eagle One "A2Z" because it's readily available at auto parts stores, is not too caustic, and seemed to get good reviews at places like Autopia. Only do one wheel at a time, on a cool wheel and brake rotor: spray, let soak in 30 seconds, scrub with a wheel brush, then rinse off. Do not let it sit on the wheel too long (read the label). It has worked very well for me.

If you want to really clean up your wheels AND protect them to make maintenance easy, take the wheel off (jack, etc) and clean them 100% off the car. Apply a polymer or acrylic sealant (like Zaino, Meguiars 20, Klasse AIO). When sealed this way, brake dust doesn't stick and I can clean the wheels completely using only car wash and a brush. It's worked great for my TSX over 7 months now with only one Zaino treatment on the wheels.

"Best" Polish? If you're asking about "polish" for the body of the car (meaning wax or sealant), try a search on this board or at autopia.org. There are good choices and many preferences.

Dan Martin

What happens if you have 7 spokes?

CGT4ME

Thanks for the tips CDR.

By removing the wheel and applying a sealant, I can definitely predict less aggravation and effort when trying to remove brake dust and other stains from the rotors down the road.

Anyone have a preference as to what to use on the inside? I was reading elsewhere in the forum that it is good to use just plain H20.
________

I think the finish on the factory 7-spokes is different than the optional 5-. I would imagine the same tips CDR gave would hold true for you too Dan.

CDR

A follow up: check out the Autopia tutorial article on "Modern Wheel Cleaning", now on the Better Car Care site:
www.bettercarcare.com/articles.php?articleId=41.

Inside? Use the same cleaner and sealant on the inside (I mean axle side) and outside of the wheel. Water won't take off brake dust well, even when the wheel is waxed. A little soap helps a lot.

Another tip: whatever debris the wheel cleaner won't take off can often be removed with detailing clay.

CGT4ME

Ok. Got it.

Thanks for the link and the tips!

bigwilliestyle

Been using Simple Green. It seems to work pretty well. I don't believe it's done any damage. Seems to get the brake dust off pretty well.