Question for the wheel cleaning gurus

[Toad]

I've got a set of OZ Superleggera's which have been refurbed in white. In less than 8 month's use, there's loads of black dots burnt in between the spoke areas, and whatever I try, I can't shift them. Any ideas of some super strong cleaning agents? White spirit won't touch it...

[J222JRA]

Pics needed if possible but personally i would give them a good wash with Bilberry wheel cleaner,
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/valet-pro-bilberry-wheel-cleaner-1-litre-/prod_499.html

Let it soak on......rub with a brush and wash off after a couple of minutes.


If that doesnt remove the marks then you will need a good agressive clay,

http://polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/gloss-it-mild-clay-bar-cat7.html


Pretty sure the clay would do the job.......once your happy with them apply lots of Poorboys Wheel Sealant.


James

[Toad]

Cheers bud. Even that super strong acidic Wonder Wheels barely shifts 'em. It needs something immensely potent!

[J222JRA]

In that case i would seriously go for the clay Toad....dont want anything too potent on your wheels else it will attack the painted surface.

[Toad]

I think you put the same link in twice BTW...

You honestly think that will shift it? Even if you scratch it with your nail it does nothing. Properly ground in black bits. :(

[J222JRA]

I think you put the same link in twice BTW...

You honestly think that will shift it? Even if you scratch it with your nail it does nothing. Properly ground in black bits. :(

Sorry.....link fail lol

Here you go,

http://polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/gloss-it-mild-clay-bar-cat7.html


Im pretty sure that if anything is gonna remove the marks ^^^^ that will.

[Krys_23]

Autosmart tardis.

[Toad]

Right, I've read through the details on the web site, all about "how to claybar" too. It would appear to me, that the claybar might be virtually impossible for multispoke wheels, as it's designed to go up and down large surfaces, like body panels. To get into all the teeny nooks and crannies on a wheel would require something different I would imagine.

[J222JRA]

Right, I've read through the details on the web site, all about "how to claybar" too. It would appear to me, that the claybar might be virtually impossible for multispoke wheels, as it's designed to go up and down large surfaces, like body panels. To get into all the teeny nooks and crannies on a wheel would require something different I would imagine.

It certainly isnt impossible, i did my old Fox 3 wheels before they were painted....was hard work but it will hopefully get your wheels looking good again.....obviously gonna be easier taking the wheels off though Toad.

Krys.....good call on that tbh however imo if the whitespirits wont shift it neither will Tardis.


James

[Krys_23]

Definetely not impossible to clay, Take the wheels off if your going to be fussy, Cheers James tardis is some strong shizz! But it sounds like molten hot bits off your brakes that have stuck to the wheels rather than tar.

[Toad]

That's it, yeah. As the wheels are white, the black bits stain, making things harder... :(

[Krys_23]

I'd do what james said, Take the wheels off and use some Megs aggressive clay, Failing that try tardis. Or if you must put something extremely strong on such as your wonder wheels undiluted and let it soak.. Didn't think i'd hear myself saying that ;)

[Toad]

I used Wonder Wheels on my previous white wheels, and it kindda worked, but wasn't great. Those wheels were stock white, so I imagine that the paint was a lot stronger than my current ones which have been refurbished.

[P90PTS]

Toad, try some diluted brick cleaner only like 3 quid from B+Q and im pretty certain that it will shift it

[Toad]

Toad, try some diluted brick cleaner only like 3 quid from B+Q and im pretty certain that it will shift it

Has that been tested on painted alloy wheels before?

[MrHouston]

A bit of all purpose cleaner will do the trick, and AutoSmart Clean Wheels I find very affective

[JAM]

Pics needed if possible but personally i would give them a good wash with Bilberry wheel cleaner,
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/valet-pro-bilberry-wheel-cleaner-1-litre-/prod_499.html

+ 1 for Bilberry, use it neat if needs be

[saxovtsmad]

bilberry all the way use it neat

[Claireeyy]

what about megs wheel brightener? It's an acidic wheel cleaner and works really well. Wouldn't recommend it all the time.

Makes tar spots run off.

[J222JRA]

Toad, try some diluted brick cleaner only like 3 quid from B+Q and im pretty certain that it will shift it

I could ban you from the detailling section for this....lol

Toad........try this at your own risk....it was not my idea.

[jonas2112]

Toad, try some diluted brick cleaner only like 3 quid from B+Q and im pretty certain that it will shift it

thats brick acid i wouldnt use that, i use that at work too burn concrete off roads

[P90PTS]

Any wheel cleaner you pick up from halfrauds contains acid. Even Bilberry.

[JAM]

Any wheel cleaner you pick up from halfrauds contains acid. Even Bilberry.

Bilberry is an outstanding safe wheel cleaner.

•Safe on all types of wheel.
•Completely acid free.
•Also effective on baked on brake dust.
•It smells nice too!!

[J222JRA]

Bilberry is an outstanding safe wheel cleaner.

•Safe on all types of wheel.
•Completely acid free.
•Also effective on baked on brake dust.
•It smells nice too!!

Beat me to it Jam. :y:

[P90PTS]

This is the chemical make up of Bilberry

Alkane sulphonate, sodium salt 5-30%
Fatty alcohols C12-C14, ethoxylated, sulphated sodium salt 5-10%
Sodium Hydroxide 1-2%
Trisodium nitrilotriacetate 5-15%

Then the rest is water - about 60%

Now bow down and suck my toes ;)

[JAM]

This is the chemical make up of Bilberry

Alkane sulphonate, sodium salt 5-30%
Fatty alcohols C12-C14, ethoxylated, sulphated sodium salt 5-10%
Sodium Hydroxide 1-2%
Trisodium nitrilotriacetate 5-15%

Then the rest is water - about 60%

Now bow down and suck my toes ;)

LOL I think you know the context, compared to other alloy cleaners (brick cleaners) - obviously contains chemicals which allow cleaning.

[P90PTS]

Im only advising to use brick cleaner at his own risk, if you have heavy pitting in your alloys the boys over on DW will be first to say try brick cleaner.

[J222JRA]

Acid free is good enough for me...used it fr a long time now on different wheel types (bare alloy, laquered, painted) and never had any issues even when left on for much longer than recommended.

[JAM]

Acid free is good enough for me...used it fr a long time now on different wheel types (bare alloy, laquered, painted) and never had any issues even when left on for much longer than recommended.

+ 1 :D

[P90PTS]

Not gonna lie, Bilberry is incredible I cannot fault it. Cleaned my rims on Sunday to a treat!

[Gabbastard]

Clever marketing bods Bilberry have, theyve all convinced you that because their stuffs acid free it must be a good thing.

Indeed it IS acid-free, but then, sodium hydroxide is a base/alkali, meaning it could be just as - if not more - corrosive/caustic as whatever acids are commonly used in other wheel cleaners.

[Toad]

So is the final verdict the Billbery stuff? Neat...

[J222JRA]

Bilberry is a veryyyyyy good wheel cleaner buddy, as said though if the marks are bonded as tough as you say they are i would go down the claying route.

[Toad]

Will the clay sratch the paint at all? I've never used one before mate...

[J222JRA]

No mate certainly will not scratch...you just have to use it with a lubricant (quick detailer spray for example) to help it glide across the surface.

[Wayne]

Clay bar with lube and alot of patience to get those black bits off Toad:y: get this clay bar http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=103 or this one http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/gloss-it-aggressive-clay-bar-clean.html and this lube http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk/shop/viewproduct.php?product_id=165 you won't find a better clay lube than this! dilute 10:1, this is very long lasting and will make 2.5 litres of lube diluted.

[Toad]

Thanks for that Wayne. :y:

[Toad]

Out of curiosity, what happens to the bar? Does it disolve as you rub with it? :ponder:

[J222JRA]

No toad all the contaminates just stick into the clay as you rub along.....you just have to keep turning the clay around and using a fresh area. Obviously though this is not as critical on wheels as it is on a cars paintwork.

[Krys_23]

Nope the bar is just like playdo, Hence the term clay ;) It's not like a soap bar, Once it has black particles on it use a clean bit until there is none left then throw it away.

[Wayne]

Out of curiosity, what happens to the bar? Does it disolve as you rub with it? :ponder:

No problems bud:y: nah doesn't dissolve, just gets all contamination off the wheels, goes browny black when you rub it on the surface, you don't need to use much clay bar, about a size of a pound coin tbh:y:

[Toad]

Ahh. It's all making sense now. :D

[J222JRA]

Ahh. It's all making sense now. :D

Welcome to our world :hug:

[Toad]

Come on, all together now "I can see clearly now the rain has gone..." :D

[Krys_23]

Welcome to our world :hug:

Haha another one from sax-p has seen the light ;)

[J222JRA]

Haha another one from sax-p has seen the light ;)

Sadly not Krys....its still just a few of us lol..


Ah well.

*sobs*

[AlexR]

You need to seal your wheels then they won't get pitted and shit won't stick to them lol

And i find that strong polish/cutting compound will remove any really badly engrained stuff.

[Krys_23]

imo - It would take more than a bit of wheel sealant to stop roasting hot specs of brake remains sticking to wheels. Maybe he should just change his pads to a different make.. Or buy some black wheels :D

[J222JRA]

imo - It would take more than a bit of wheel sealant to stop roasting hot specs of brake remains sticking to wheels. Maybe he should just change his pads to a different make.. Or buy some black wheels :D

If the temp is a big issue maybe try this sealant instead,

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/finishkare-1000p-hi-temp-sealant/prod_589.html

[Krys_23]

Think we've come to a conclusion - Agressive clay, Very strong wheel cleaner, Hi-temp wheel sealant for afters as James has said, Sorted.

[Toad]

Nice one guys. Soon as the weather turns, I'll get this stuff on order! :)