Suggestions for cleaning wheels?

dahberg · Post by **dahberg** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 2:54 pm

What would you recommend for cleaning ascMcLaren wheels?
Is there a mild detergent anyone recommends that will not harm the painted areas, but remove brake dust?
Do the outer edges have a clear coat finish?
Can minor blemishes be sanded off the outer part of the rims where it is a brushed aluminum finish?
If sanding is possible, what grit or is there a compound cleaner someone would recommend?

Your wisdom and cautions would be appreciated...

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 4:20 pm

This is THE single best product that I have found. Easy to use, and fast, and perfect wheels. Really gets them clean!!

http://www.autogeek.net/p2wheelclean.html
Buy the first one the "REGULAR" ~ ~ NOT the GEL.

bigzeke42 · Post by **bigzeke42** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 6:48 pm

I was having trouble with break dust on my 10 hole wheels and found a company that sold a duct cover for this problem. It fits on the inside of the wheel.........solved the problem for me.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 7:02 pm

Bigzeke I had them on my wife's Cadillac. They are not good. Allow me to explain. They merely "hide" the brake dust. When you wash the wheels, some of the water gets thru and the brake dust can & does get into thebraking system and can decay it. The "brake dust covers" are just that....covers. They cover it. You really want to get rid of it, and frequently, too. I've (as you can imagine) tried dozens of products that really don't do the job without ALOT of work on the user's part. The one I provided a link to, if used 3 times a month, will keep the wheels 90% brake dust free. It's easy to use. You spray it on, all 4 wheels, then turn on your hose with a pistol nozzle on the end, and under great pressure and a forceful stream of water, hose the stuff off. No bending, rubbing scrubbing needed.

bigzeke42 · Post by **bigzeke42** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 7:08 pm

Thanks Sandy for letting me know this........I will look into this and take them off.

bryan · Post by **bryan** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 8:50 pm

I had a similar experience. I put them on my 88 GT with the turbines. Kept 'em clean, but my mechanic gave me a lecture on the detrimental impact on the brakes. He also said heat was an issue, but I'm not sure if that's true.

Post by **negusm** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 9:10 pm

OK, I don't quite buy it...yet.

What's the difference between putting a wheel cover on the wheel to eliminate any holes in the wheel or swapping out to solid steel wheels?

I don't exactly know what those dust covers actually mount to...so maybe that's the difference...

-Mike

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 9:24 pm

The first thing is that most wheels are aluminum, not steel. The trapped brake dust has no where to go, except on the BACK of the aluminum wheel. Secondly, without the "dish" when you spray the product, on the wheel, some of it is bound to get on the rotors on other parts. When the user hoses it off under great pressure, it also comes off the rotor surfaces and other parts. When the dish in ON, it blocks the cleaner & water from entering, (okay some "dribble will get in") but that's not enough.

Like any foreign matter or dirt, it's much better to get rid of it, rather than attempt to hide it and have it accumulate.

Post by **negusm** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 9:34 pm

Yeah, but you're assuming that people actually clean their wheels. What about people that never do? I bet its no worse with a dust cover or without a dust cover.

Sure, if you clean your wheels, I can see the logic in leaving them open from the back.

-Mike

bigzeke42 · Post by **bigzeke42** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 9:47 pm

The ones I have on my car goes on the back of the wheel and have slots in them for ventilation and they are directional.

tfs2121 · Post by **tfs2121** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 10:23 pm

not much can harm your brake pads and rotors unless it comes in DIRECT contact with the face of the pad witch wont happen disc brakes are "self cleaning" they are always in contact with the rotor plus brake temps get up super high and burn anything that may harm the rotor away

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 10:55 pm

I try not to associate with people who don't clean their wheels

dahberg · Post by **dahberg** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 11:08 pm

I try not to associate with people who don't clean their wheels

lmao - that was a good one Sandy

Thanks for the product tip!

Anyone attempt to polish out some minor scratches?

Post by **negusm** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 12:42 am

Sandy wrote:I try not to associate with people who don't clean their wheels

Yes, I figured that.

Its just the way you guys made it sound.

I'm almost thinking of getting some covers for my oddysey...I hate cleaning my daily beaters....

-Mike

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 1:36 am

I'm almost thinking of getting some covers for my oddysey...I hate cleaning my daily beaters....

-Mike

I would not bother. It's an Oddysey