jlspeed29

So, I'm on a mission to detail my car this weekend, and wanted to do a serious one over on the actual wheels not the tires.
2001 CL-S factory wheels, showing wear of course:

1) What should I buy to clean/polish my wheels?
2) What do y'all do to clean your wheels?

I'm planning on taking a while on the wheels,
If i get really ambitious i may take them off one by one to clean them up

lembowski

iTrader: (1)

Start off with this....................
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...hlight=painted

jlspeed29

^^ neat, but i dont want to paint anythign, just clean and polish


anyone else?

SPoolinspOON

iTrader: (5)

take the wheels off. get a nice brush that wont scratch the wheels. Soak them in some wheel cleaner (megs all wheel cleaner, simple green). scrub the hell out of them and rinse. For fine scratches you can do a very light polish on them.

Hawhyen51

Try this article from Autopia titled Concours Tires & Wheels.

mrhenchen

i've been wondering the same thing on maintaining wheels. is it possible to take a regular paint sealant/polymer wax and light coat it on and then buff off for protection and shine?

SPoolinspOON

iTrader: (5)

yeh. why not? I use protect-all on my wheels.

exceldetail

Excellent stuff (ProtectAll)

jlspeed29

hey excel! your in TO, i live in oxnard...i'll take a look at your online store, since you are so close!

thanks for all the helpfull links and stuff


Hawhyen51:>>>>> thanks for the link! great article!!!

TOGWT

Cleaning Clear Coated Wheels:
•Ensure wheels and rotors are cool before applying cold water as this may cause them to warp. Hose off as much initial grime as you can. Rinse up into the wheel well to wash away road kill, mud and other debris.
•Use detailing clay to remove any imbedded contaminants
•Use a solvent based cleaner to remove any road tar
•Apply a solution of P21S Total Auto Wash to wheel-wells and tyres, and let soak in, agitate with a long-handled boars haired brush before rinsing
•Spray P21S Wheel Cleaner, this cleaner is 100% acid-free and will not damage any type of wheel finish. (Gel for badly soiled and regular for normal soil) onto wheel rims and lat soak in.
•Before finally removing cleaner, agitate with a soft brush and then rinse off
•Rinse wheel surface thoroughly with clean water (to avoid splashing paint surface rise by pouring a bucket of water over each wheel from the top down
•Remove any surface imperfections with a suitable clear coat polish (dependant upon extent of damage)
•Dry wheels with a towel, apply a polymer sealant (ZoopSeal) to the surface of the wheels, it will protect the finish from brake dust and the elements and also make them easier to keep clean.
•Wax has a low melting point and will not withstand the sustained temperature

[B]Alternate products-[/B] ValuGard Custom Wheel Cleaner- Automotive International - (http:// www.autoint.com)

exceldetail

Your biggest task will be finding a wheel brush which will accomodate your needs. Most of them are of pretty shabby quality, sometimes its additional time and effort using smaller brushes to handle the larger areas, but well worth it in the end. I use Duragloss for 95% of my wheel cleaning needs. There are a lot of OTC whel cleaners that are suprisingly good quality. I have always liked Eagle One Wheel Cleaner as well.
I have found wheels to be quite a chore, and very time consuming. If you can deter them from acquiring filth in the first place, your on the right path. I like using either FS UPP or some other Polymer protectant on my own wheels. Sometimes its as easy as just washing with your auto soap and sheepskin. Just stay on top of wheels and your good to go!

TOGWT

Try this - The OXO Spoke Brush - http://www.topoftheline.com