PDA

View Full Version : Cleaning Polished Alum Wheels

KrnrKick
10-01-07, 11:55 AM
How do I clean the inside of my polished alum wheels? Does anyone have recoomendations on a brush, cloth, etc that gets all the way to the rear without having to take the wheels off?

Thanks guys, this is a real learning process on how to care for my car
hcvone
10-01-07, 12:15 PM
Taking them off is the easiest way to clean them, for cleaning them on the car I used a 1 gallon and a 5 gallon paint stick and wrapped a towel around the sticks, there are also many different wheel brushes, just make sure if you get one it is very soft, some feel like wire brushes.
Norm Clemmer
10-01-07, 12:53 PM
Mine are not clear coated and I am a big fan of the small Mothers powerball.
Silver O Six
10-01-07, 01:24 PM
Ask Richy ;bl

On a serious note, Both Norm and Carl have the right idea. Keep em clean as
the longer the brake dust is on there, it pits and is harder to get off. :)
Mike Campbell
10-01-07, 03:58 PM
I clean off the brake dust every time I put the car in the garage. You'll see what it does to a large assortment of yuppie bimmers & such. Plus, go to the store & get a good bottle brush. I Zaino mine & when I clean them off I also use Z6. ;bt
KrnrKick
10-01-07, 06:06 PM
go to the store & get a good bottle brush.

Mike - this is what I'm looking for - what is a bottle brush?
Glennm27
10-01-07, 06:43 PM
Best thing is to take the wheel soff the car.
Clean them thoroughly.
Use a chep paste wax and wax every inch if them, inside lip, outside lip, face and barrells. Polish them as good as possible and put them back on the car.

NOW, just wipe them out with a small brush or wet rag after you drive them..... With the wax applied to the barrells they will clean up easier and nicer.

The wax of course will not last a real long time, especially on the fronts since heat will break down the wax coating but at least the sun won't take the wax off.....

Keeping them waxed certainly makes cleaning easier.
Glennm27
10-01-07, 06:44 PM
go to the store & get a good bottle brush.

Mike - this is what I'm looking for - what is a bottle brush?

I wonder if that just might be a brush used to clean out bottles? :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

You didn't really ask that question, did you? ;)

Maybe you better NOT try taking the wheels off the car yourself..
christian
10-01-07, 07:51 PM
As the other guys on the forum have said, take the wheels off the car and do the cleaning by hand as already suggested.

I'd add only this: resist the temptation to use harsh cleaners on polished aluminum wheels. While a seriously pitted wheel will show up nicely with the newer (but aggressive) aluminum wheel cleaner products, you would not be doing a favor to wheels that are "normally" dirty. To use such acidic products will actually dull the polished finish on an otherwise "nice" set of wheels. Those agressive cleaners are good for wheels you pick up from a salvage yard but for your newer albeit used car, use the softer products and do them by hand and take your time - you'll enjoy the results.

:cool:
hcvone
10-02-07, 07:56 AM
If they are factory wheels they are clear coated and you want to treat them like your paint, you can use a cleaner wax or clay bar to clean them and keep them waxed, a synthetic wax will last 5 times longer than carnauba. :)
Mike Campbell
10-02-07, 08:58 AM
A bottle brush is just that. A brush used to clean baby bottles. Quickie sells a variety of various styles that will get into all the nooks & crannies of your wheels. Once you get a coat or 2 of wax or Zaino then they're a lot easier to maintain.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/soupyvet/vetteA.jpg
hcvone
10-02-07, 09:32 AM
A bottle brush is just that. A brush used to clean baby bottles. Quickie sells a variety of various styles that will get into all the nooks & crannies of your wheels. Once you get a coat or 2 of wax or Zaino then they're a lot easier to maintain.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/soupyvet/vetteA.jpg
Who is that driving the car and looking like a movie star???
Mike Campbell
10-02-07, 11:01 AM
That's my sweetie's "hunka hunka of burning love!" :D Oh yea, & that's me driving. ;jj;jj
Plain Insane
10-02-07, 05:06 PM
I use a brush that is about 12" long from Ardex. Costs about 10.00. You can purchase it from their store in the front of the building on Byberry Rd. Be careful of the tip. It is rounded, although if you are in a hurry to do your wheels...DON'T HURRY. sounds obvious, but we all like to just get things done quickly. Many of my customers like this brush for C5 wheels. You will have to move the vehicle once since the caliper is in the way. Good luck and happy cleaning, vince
Silver O Six
12-21-07, 10:54 PM
What about Rejex?? Anybody know about this stuff? It's supposed to repel brakedust......:rolleyes: \\
Can't buy it in stores......web only......

Help Carl and Bill!!!!!!!!!!;dg
carboman
12-21-07, 11:06 PM
Todd,

I have Rejex if you want to try it. I don't think it repels brake dust any better than other polishes.



What about Rejex?? Anybody know about this stuff? It's supposed to repel brakedust......:rolleyes: \\
Can't buy it in stores......web only......

Help Carl and Bill!!!!!!!!!!;dg
Silver O Six
12-21-07, 11:18 PM
Thanks Mark, I have been cleaning my baby all week and have the wheels
spotless. I saw ads for Rejex and thought it may be helpful at this time
with no dirt. Brakedust sucks...it drives me crazy!!:mad:
Glennm27
12-21-07, 11:29 PM
What about Rejex?? Anybody know about this stuff? It's supposed to repel brakedust......:rolleyes: \\
Can't buy it in stores......web only......

Help Carl and Bill!!!!!!!!!!;dg

You can buy Rejex and ANY True Value Hardware store.

It's nothing special.

If you don't like brake dust, drive like me, "I don't need no stinkin' brakes"
Silver O Six
12-21-07, 11:31 PM
In that case.....bag it Hows it go, "drive it like you stole it" or maybe somebody I know
in a rest stop on the Jersey Turnpike....:eek: :eek: :eek: Or another person on Byberry Rd. Couldn't land it
any better at the Northeast airport.;at
carboman
12-21-07, 11:32 PM
You can buy Rejex and ANY True Value Hardware store.

It's nothing special.

If you don't like brake dust, drive like me, "I don't need no stinkin' brakes"

And all this time I just thought your brake lights were out.
RTornatd
12-22-07, 04:15 PM
On the subject of Rejex.

It was developed by crossion X for use on aircraft to keep the bugs from sticking to the leading edges of the wings.

As an aircraft detailer it does work , I've had customers tell me after flying thru rain most of the bugs had come off.
I use it regularly on my 84' I Just wipe off the front with a damp towel and
the bugs come off. I use it also on the polished wheels. & on the acrylic top.
It doesn't shine as bright as the Zaino but I like the pro's on the product.

I am a Rejex dealer, retails for $19.95, I will sell it to any club member for $16.

leaving for Florida for two weeks, I will be at the next club meeting
Let me know if interested and I will bring a bottle to the meeting.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas & the best of the New Year
Ron Tornari
DanS711
12-22-07, 10:04 PM
I thought the only reason they even put brakes on a Vette was to keep you from hitting the back wall of the garage when you came back from a ride! :cool: :cool:
DanS711
12-22-07, 10:06 PM
Hey Todd, you been working out in your shop? Been past a couple of times, but I never know if your out there. You need to put a light out that you can see from Twinning Rd. when your hanging out.
Silver O Six
12-22-07, 10:49 PM
Yea, I have had the Z on the lift all week. I work on it a couple hours
at a time. I have the wheels done, a complete claybar(major workout)
and 3 or 4 coats of Z5 pro. I am going to seal it tomorrow morning
and then start the interior.

Then....if the catback comes in this week, i'll install it this coming week
before our mechanic gets back on the 2nd and wants his shop back.

Stop in or give me a call, I have cold beer, cigars and plenty of Zaino
(still not the LAL or the GTG)