Brake dust, road grime, wheel cleaning....

BrigadoonB · 10-17-2005, 12:33 PM

Is there an easy way to clean our wheels?

I spend just as much time on cleaning my wheels as I do cleaning my entire car. I bought some tire cleaner/brake dust cleaner from the autoshop and that still doesn't work. PLus, sometimes there is tar or road grime stuck on the edges which seems to never want to come off. Can we use a brillo pad or something to put them back into perfect shape without hurting the wheels and is there a way to clean around the lug nut area? can you guys clean all of the wheel or do you just clean as far as your fingers can go?

raindance · 10-17-2005, 12:43 PM

The Meguiar's Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner works as good as anything I've found anywhere. It will actually get most of the stuff off the wheel without any type of rubbing. Good thing about the stuff is it's cheap and you can get it about anywhere (including Walmart). One bottle goes a pretty long ways. Just do what it says on the bottle. I wouldn't use any type of really abrasive pad on the wheels. Especially something like a brillo. I use the Meguiar's, a hose with a pretty hard spray and a nice clean rag. Works great.

http://www.meguiars.com/?wheel-care/...-Wheel-Cleaner

-rain-

***VSGTS14*** · 10-17-2005, 01:52 PM

hey does the meguiars make the rotors rust? i'm tired of using cleaners causing them to rust, then it goes away after braking except onto the rims...or is that from the water? i just don't remember it doing it for some reason.

as for tar, use spot remover at the time you clean the rims...that'll definately clean them up good

i used that and all purpose at the time i cleaned my BBS before they shipped out...they were spotless.

NJSTi05 · 10-17-2005, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raindance

The Meguiar's Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner works as good as anything I've found anywhere. It will actually get most of the stuff off the wheel without any type of rubbing. Good thing about the stuff is it's cheap and you can get it about anywhere (including Walmart). One bottle goes a pretty long ways. Just do what it says on the bottle. I wouldn't use any type of really abrasive pad on the wheels. Especially something like a brillo. I use the Meguiar's, a hose with a pretty hard spray and a nice clean rag. Works great.

http://www.meguiars.com/?wheel-care/...-Wheel-Cleaner

-rain-

would this hurt on the brembo's if they got sprayed? definitly looking to make my wheel cleaning a lil easier on my self, espcially my back, haha, it gets irratating.

***BoostJunkie*** · 10-17-2005, 02:10 PM

I use P21S gel cleaner and it's the best I have found. not cheap though.

F4yoshi · 10-17-2005, 02:40 PM

Put some Rejex on your wheels. Brake dust is supposed to just rinse off with water. I've Rejex'ed my wheels but haven't cleaned the car since. The wheels do feel a lot slicker than before I applied the stuff though, so that's a good sign. I actually went overkill and applied 3 coats of Rejex per wheel (allowing the 12 hour cure time between each coat).

Ol'SaltyBastard · 10-17-2005, 11:03 PM

I use A to Z wheel cleaner and a brush. Inless you have access to a power washer, you'll need to get physical. Takes less than 5 minutes to do all four wheels.

Turboxer · 10-18-2005, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VSGTS14

i'm tired of using cleaners causing them to rust, then it goes away after braking except onto the rims...or is that from the water?

Im pretty sure its just the water that makes them rust up. I have no clue why they rust up so easily

White05sti · 10-18-2005, 07:13 AM

meguiars makes my life much easier, just makes sure you rinse them off well

docd187 · 10-18-2005, 08:51 AM

The P21S gel wheel cleaner has been the best wheel cleaner I have ever used. I barely have to use a brush, only on the stubborn baked on spots. Also if you take your wheels off put a coat of Rejex or Klasse Sealant Glaze on them. I put on some sealant glaze and haven't had to wash them for over a month now. I just hose them off and the brake dust just comes right off.

EastSTi · 10-18-2005, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raindance

The Meguiar's Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner works as good as anything I've found anywhere. It will actually get most of the stuff off the wheel without any type of rubbing. Good thing about the stuff is it's cheap and you can get it about anywhere (including Walmart). One bottle goes a pretty long ways. Just do what it says on the bottle. I wouldn't use any type of really abrasive pad on the wheels. Especially something like a brillo. I use the Meguiar's, a hose with a pretty hard spray and a nice clean rag. Works great.

http://www.meguiars.com/?wheel-care/...-Wheel-Cleaner

-rain-

That stuff is awsome I use it like twice a week to keep my wheels clean and it only takes me about 30 seconds...I love that stuff!

BrigadoonB · 10-18-2005, 11:00 AM

Where can I find P21S? Is that the name of it? Will it work on the stubborn baked spots? I try to get those small specks off each time I wash them but some just don't move and lord help me when they get stuck around the lug nut holes.

technica · 10-18-2005, 12:05 PM

I use P21S and have had good success with the majority of the brake dust coming off with a light spray of water. I also recently picked up Michelin's PH balanced wheel cleaner. Most major wheel cleaners are acidic and will ruin the clearcoat on the wheels, I had this problem with my AUDI wheels. I was beyone pi$$ed off that manufacturers can put something like that on the shelf. Anyway back to the Michelin wheel cleaner, believe it or not I think this is P21S just re-branded. I washed my wheels with it last week with good results, I also followed up with Michelin's brake dust "repellent". With all the rain in the north east I am not sure how will it held up. I'll know when I wash the car this weekend. In case you are wondering, the Michelin wheel prodcuts can be picked up at your local Autozone. I think its a good alternative to P21S, which is very expensive in comparison.

mike_ · 10-18-2005, 05:32 PM

2nd on the Meguiars Hot Rims. Spray on, let sit for a minute, hose off, and 99% of the dust comes off. I'll use clean towel soaked with soapy water to touch up the heavier areas.

Great for the Brembo calipers too.

rzezeski · 10-18-2005, 07:13 PM

I give the rims a good cleaning with the help of a spray cleaner, such as Meguiars, and then give them a coat of Mother's MAG Polish. This stuff puts a nice protective barrier on your rims and allows you to easily clean the rims in the future with just a dry terry cloth. The key is to put some type of resistant coating on your rims so you don't have to use the abrasive cleaners every time.

10-17-2005, 12:33 PM	#1
BrigadoonB Professional STI Driver Car: 04 Subaru WRX STi Location: Orlando Posts: 401 Join Date: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Brake dust, road grime, wheel cleaning.... Is there an easy way to clean our wheels? I spend just as much time on cleaning my wheels as I do cleaning my entire car. I bought some tire cleaner/brake dust cleaner from the autoshop and that still doesn't work. PLus, sometimes there is tar or road grime stuck on the edges which seems to never want to come off. Can we use a brillo pad or something to put them back into perfect shape without hurting the wheels and is there a way to clean around the lug nut area? can you guys clean all of the wheel or do you just clean as far as your fingers can go? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

10-18-2005, 07:13 PM	#15
rzezeski Senior STI Driver Car: 06 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Me... Location: Reisterstown, MD Posts: 313 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	I give the rims a good cleaning with the help of a spray cleaner, such as Meguiars, and then give them a coat of Mother's MAG Polish. This stuff puts a nice protective barrier on your rims and allows you to easily clean the rims in the future with just a dry terry cloth. The key is to put some type of resistant coating on your rims so you don't have to use the abrasive cleaners every time. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

10-17-2005, 12:43 PM	#2
raindance Professional STI Racer Car: DGM 08 STi Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 600 Join Date: Jan 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	The Meguiar's Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner works as good as anything I've found anywhere. It will actually get most of the stuff off the wheel without any type of rubbing. Good thing about the stuff is it's cheap and you can get it about anywhere (including Walmart). One bottle goes a pretty long ways. Just do what it says on the bottle. I wouldn't use any type of really abrasive pad on the wheels. Especially something like a brillo. I use the Meguiar's, a hose with a pretty hard spray and a nice clean rag. Works great. http://www.meguiars.com/?wheel-care/...-Wheel-Cleaner -rain-

10-17-2005, 01:52 PM	#3
*VSGTS14* Muller Chevrolet Car: 08 Chevy 2500HD Fav Mod: a new 08 STi Location: Milford, NJ Posts: 10,010 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (11)	hey does the meguiars make the rotors rust? i'm tired of using cleaners causing them to rust, then it goes away after braking except onto the rims...or is that from the water? i just don't remember it doing it for some reason. as for tar, use spot remover at the time you clean the rims...that'll definately clean them up good i used that and all purpose at the time i cleaned my BBS before they shipped out...they were spotless.

10-17-2005, 02:10 PM	#5
*BoostJunkie* Sold My Soul For Mods Car: '05 CGM STi Fav Mod: Track Time Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 6,562 Join Date: Jun 2004 Trader Rating: (14)	I use P21S gel cleaner and it's the best I have found. not cheap though.

10-17-2005, 02:40 PM	#6
F4yoshi Junior STI Driver Posts: 164 Join Date: Aug 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Put some Rejex on your wheels. Brake dust is supposed to just rinse off with water. I've Rejex'ed my wheels but haven't cleaned the car since. The wheels do feel a lot slicker than before I applied the stuff though, so that's a good sign. I actually went overkill and applied 3 coats of Rejex per wheel (allowing the 12 hour cure time between each coat).

10-17-2005, 11:03 PM	#7
Ol'SaltyBastard Spec C Club Car: 1983 Mercedes Benz 3 Location: N. Kentucky/Cinci Posts: 1,464 Join Date: Feb 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	I use A to Z wheel cleaner and a brush. Inless you have access to a power washer, you'll need to get physical. Takes less than 5 minutes to do all four wheels.

10-18-2005, 07:13 AM	#9
White05sti Grassroots STI Racer Location: Maryland Posts: 533 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	meguiars makes my life much easier, just makes sure you rinse them off well

10-18-2005, 08:51 AM	#10
docd187 STI Driver Car: 05 Subaru Fav Mod: WRX STi Location: New Fairfield Posts: 274 Join Date: Nov 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	The P21S gel wheel cleaner has been the best wheel cleaner I have ever used. I barely have to use a brush, only on the stubborn baked on spots. Also if you take your wheels off put a coat of Rejex or Klasse Sealant Glaze on them. I put on some sealant glaze and haven't had to wash them for over a month now. I just hose them off and the brake dust just comes right off.

10-18-2005, 11:00 AM	#12
BrigadoonB Professional STI Driver Car: 04 Subaru WRX STi Location: Orlando Posts: 401 Join Date: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Where can I find P21S? Is that the name of it? Will it work on the stubborn baked spots? I try to get those small specks off each time I wash them but some just don't move and lord help me when they get stuck around the lug nut holes.

10-18-2005, 12:05 PM	#13
technica Grassroots STI Racer Posts: 519 Join Date: Feb 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	I use P21S and have had good success with the majority of the brake dust coming off with a light spray of water. I also recently picked up Michelin's PH balanced wheel cleaner. Most major wheel cleaners are acidic and will ruin the clearcoat on the wheels, I had this problem with my AUDI wheels. I was beyone pi$$ed off that manufacturers can put something like that on the shelf. Anyway back to the Michelin wheel cleaner, believe it or not I think this is P21S just re-branded. I washed my wheels with it last week with good results, I also followed up with Michelin's brake dust "repellent". With all the rain in the north east I am not sure how will it held up. I'll know when I wash the car this weekend. In case you are wondering, the Michelin wheel prodcuts can be picked up at your local Autozone. I think its a good alternative to P21S, which is very expensive in comparison.

10-18-2005, 05:32 PM	#14
mike_ The Next Petter Solberg Car: Silver 05 WRX STi Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 913 Join Date: May 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	2nd on the Meguiars Hot Rims. Spray on, let sit for a minute, hose off, and 99% of the dust comes off. I'll use clean towel soaked with soapy water to touch up the heavier areas. Great for the Brembo calipers too.