Hi everybody, I have a dilemma with some wheels on a Volvo S60 which are in really rough shape. I just need some help if anyone has dealt with this or has remedied this problem (which i'm sure someone has). I have all of these brake dust deposits, or pitting or whatever the cause it looks like crap and can't stand it being there. I cleaned the wheels with p21s gel, then poorboys wash and rinse, then CG wheel cleaner and finally a citrus degreaser and nothing will get them off. There has to be a better way! I've posted a picture of what I'm dealing with and if anyone can please help me I would love the help. Thanks in advance, Andrew
Cleaning Clear Coated Wheels Bare (no clear coat) aluminium, using a metal polish will turn the cloth black, otherwise they probably have a clear coat paint finish. 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 and lubrication to remove any embedded contaminants • Use a d-limonene (citrus) based cleaner to remove any road tar or oil. Apply P21S Total Auto Wash to wheel surfaces and let soak in, agitate with a long-handled boar’s haired brush before rinsing • Spray P21S Wheel Cleaner (Gel or Liquid) 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 • For badly soiled surfaces us P21S-Red (422) or Sonax Wheel Cleaner both are formulated with neutralised acid salt • Used the P21S Polishing Soap on the clean wheel to polish the lips, inner wheel, and face of the wheel. (agitate lightly on the clear coated parts) • Before finally removing cleaner, agitate with a soft brush and then rinse off (See Wheel Brushes) • 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 (dependent upon extent of damage) • Dry wheels with a forced air blower; these are extremely powerful and will dry the whole car and the wheels as well. A good tip; flush the rotors and callipers with water until it comes out clear. • Apply polymer sealant (Wheel Wax, Collinite Metal Wax # 850 or 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. • Organic wax has a low melting point and will not withstand the sustained temperature
i would suggest using a tar remover or clay. then p21s gel again. It seems that the wheels were not taken care of for a while and a lot of brake dust finally made its way through. good luck and let us know how it came out. i have not used sonax but i have heard good reviews. i do use p21s gel a lot and has never let me down. there are many other wheel cleaners like autoglym Custome wheel cleaner and megs wheel brightner that are also good.
I think he might have meant he used Spray and Rinse by PB. That's a pretty hardcore wheel cleaner. If that didn't make it budge I doubt Sonax will.
Thanks for the quick responses, I have clayed the surface but didn't do much but irritate me, however I did not try using any metal polish which would have been my next step. Haven't tried the p21s polish soap, but looks like what I may buy. Reflect, you are correct I did try spray and rinse by PB i forgot the name for a second but that is usally my failproof method for cleaning since it is the strongest stuff I have used. Any good suggestions for a tar remover??
P21S Polishing soap works wonders It tore through some CAKED ON exhaust stuff The sponge is very sturdy too, has a bit of cut to it as well
Lemme know how this goes. I just picked up a set of wheels for autoX and they have some serious brake dust caked on them. I tried using P21 wheel gel with no effect. My next attempt will be to get some WB and give that a go. My wheels are clearcoated.
Unfortunately Sonax and P21S really are not intended for the OP's situation. I would hate to see someone purchase some cleaners on the recommendation of being strong enough to deal with heavy caked and baked dust when in reality they are effective cleaners, but really only on dust that has not developed that galvanic bond to the wheel and essentially rusted itself. I understand watching green turn to red and that eating iron particles in its reaction is really "hype" despite its actuality but the truth is Sonax and P21Sgreen may not do anything but lighten this guys wallet. Brake pads are not always all ferrous metallic so whatever reaction goes on between the dust and the wheel coating does not always have a remedy of a wheel cleaner or even a heavy acidic or alkaline. This may end up being a situation where he would have to abrade the build up off.. not just buy another hype selling(yes, it does work as a maintenance cleaner) product.
There's really no need to use a dedicated "wheel sealant" for rims ... I usually use 845 or Opti-Seal on rims with great results. If you don't care too much for the rims, the new armor-all wheel protector works pretty well, but it leaves a white film if you over spray it. I treat my rims like I treat my paint ... claybar and wax with no problems!!
Getcha, What would you suggest as a remedie for this situation. It sounds like you know what you are talking about and run across wheels like this all the time. Most of my customers don't take care of their cars whatsoever and bring me the worst of the worst. Especially the wheels; up here in new england the salt and corrosion is horrible and if i could get a good process down that could nail these wheels I would be forever greatful. Any process would be helpful, there are some seroulsy nasty wheels my way!
You're completely right and I completely agree with you, but Poorboy's Wheel Sealant and Smartwax Rim Wax both leave an absolutely brilliant shine that no wax or sealant can match.
I was told that many wheel sealants have cleaning agents within them that will remove light staining and ingrained brake dust just like a regular paint cleaner except the majority of the product is a sealant. Poorboy's has been my staple and has removed discoloration on neglected rims that wheel cleaners and clay did not touch. As for my current wheel sealant, I use Planet Polish Wheel Seal and Shine from the UK and have never seen a product leave such an amazing finish.
How long did you work that exhaust for with the sponge? And did you apply more soap on there afterwards or only used 1 swipe?
To get those wheels clean you are going to have to use an acid based wheel cleaner (Megs wheel bright) Spray it on and let it sit for about 30 seconds then agitate, and rinse. If everything is still not removed you will have to use a tar and glue remover and a clay bar to get the wheel perfect.
