Hey everyone. Question:

I have black Forgestars F14. I had it washed once at a local place and I think they applied wax on my wheels as there "wheel protectant". Now for the past month or so, even when cleaning with Sonax or Soap/Water, the black has a bluish hue. I've tried cleaning the wheels over and over, but it still has the bluish hue to it. Pictures soon. Any ideas?

 

How many times did you use the Sonax before the local place washed them?

 

Maybe like 2-3 times -- every other car wash or so (depending on severity)

 

Are you sure the sonax is compatable with powder coated wheels? I doubt the car wash people used any form of wheel wax .. this is something a detailer might do .. but seldomley a wash place unless its just the spray on pressure wax which is in reallity nada ..


Just for the record ... I'm not a fan at all of wheel cleaners and find them totally unnecessary if the wheel owner puts at least a reasonable amount of effort into keeping the wheels clean with just the soap & water.

The only time I ever use them is when I get a customers car that is abused and the wheels are seldom washed nor is the car.

 

I agree with you 100%. People always ask what kind of wheel cleaner i use but dont realize all you really need is soapywater and awheel brush.Obviously those customers who really neglect their cars will need some help, but elbow grease is the best.

 

I also only use a dedicated wheel cleaner when wheels are disgusting. Soapy water and wheel brush and Daytona speed brush works just fine for simple brake dust not baked on.

 

I'm not 100% sure, but it has worked on my previous sets of Powdercoated wheels with several more applications then the ones I have on now.

I'm not sure what the blue hue is from besides the wax. It was some sort of 'spray on' wax that I saw them use.

I usually don't use Sonax unless my wheels are extremely dirty from not cleaning it for weeks

 

Use some meguires ultimate compound by hand on them and see if it helps in a section. Treat it like paint stains.

 

Sorry to bring this up but any suggestions?

These are what they look like now

I only use two wheel cleaners - Sonax & Meguiars

Is it Forgestars bad powdercoat or those two products?

 

Did you try what I mentioned above? Treat it like paint, so gotta take the stains out with that. Turtle Wax ICE works great on that stuff too (its a clear liquid so no residue).

 

Prolly the wheel cleaners by the looks of the streaks .. I don't understand why people buy wheels then neglect them to where they feel they need wheel cleaners. I have owned dozens of sets of wheels and never once used or needed to use a wheel cleaner.

Myself I think people fall prey to marketing to the point they think they "have" to use a wheel cleaner. If your wheels / car is washed weekly or even bi-weekly there should be no need at all.

 

Have you ever applied wheel cleaner on hot wheels?

 

I usually let them cool down at least 15 min. Basically when they're cool to the touch.

 

15 minutes is not long enough for wheels to cool. Of course this depends on how long you drove before.

 

I'd be more concerned with the rotors warping .. but anyway .. rethink the use of wheel cleaners .. there is no way they are needed on a daily wash basis. If you neglect your wheels that's another story. But then again it should be a one time deal.

 

When I go clean my car its usually on my day off so I drive like 3 minutes to the DIY car washes where I use the hose for rinse and bring my own grit guard buckets. So the wheels aren't really that hot.

Rotors are fine, well, just got them new like 3-4 months ago. I rarely clean my wheels-- I do so maybe once a month. I usually use soap and water after I cleaned my car. Still, it is fading. I just think its Forgestar's horrible powdercoat.

 

Is is a smooth finish or a bit rough? If it's smooth, seriously try what I recommended with Meguires Ultimate compound in a small area to bring the life back and then polish/wax it.

 

Already tried it.

 

I'm thinking the Meguiars wheel cleaner may have been the cause. Sonax should be pH neutral. Which Meguiars wheel clean did you use? I'm thinking it may have been acidic and etched them.

 

Sorry to say, time for a refinish me thinks.

 

First I would clay the wheels. You said you already tried UC but did you just slap it on like wax or did you work it in with some passion? Basically you are trying to take a layer of paint off and it will need some elbow grease if applied by hand.

Like Jesstzn said, wheel maintenance is really easy if you do it often enough. I don't use any chemicals other than car soap and routinely clean the wheels when I wash my car once a week. Then I apply some sealant on it so that it will have some protection and its not some wheel specific sealant. It is the same sealant that I apply on my car paint and I do this once a month.

 

X2. Did you use some elbow grease and work it in really hard in a area for a minute or so? Basically if they are clear coated, you have to remove the top most layer of it to get to a good layer to remove the damage. That is what we are trying to do. So much easier with a buffer but you can't use a buffer on a wheel obviously. hehe.