Wheel cleaners/wax?

[Dave_R1001]

Alex,

Im in need of some help in cleaning my Volks back up like new. Lots of stubborn dirt, some salt marks etc...

Any advice on what to go for and then what to cover them with after?

Cheers

Dave

[Alex Creasey]

Hi Dave,

Either the Meguiars Pro Wheel Cleaner @ £8.10 or the P21S Gel Wheel Cleaner kit @ £12.99 are ideal. They are very effective and are both ph neutral so won't harm the wheels in any way no matter how often you use it.

If you want something slightly cheaper the Meguiars Hot Rims is very good @ £6.99. It's only mildly acidic (nothing like Wonder Wheels) but, is still very good at the job.

Any wax or sealant will do fine..... Anything that puts some protection down is a good thing. Sealants will last a bit longer though as they aren't as sensitive to heat that may get built up through the wheel. If you want something specific, Poorboy's do a very good Wheel Sealant for £12.99. Or, go for one of the bodywork sealants as then you can use it everywhere else as well.

Cheers .

[Dave_R1001]

Would you advise against using wonder wheels or anything like that? I had been planning to buy some today to try but making sure Im very careful and only leave it on there for a short time?

Ill try my local halfrauds at lunch to see if they have any Meguiars in and use some of the Poorboys sealant that I bought from you before.

[Alex Creasey]

Just be careful with the Wonder Wheels if you are gonna use it as it's very strong stuff, I wouldn't use it regularly on what would be classed as 'good' wheels...... If you've got any scuffs or scratches that go through the paint (anodising on the bronze Volks iirc) then I'd steer clear. It's very well known for getting under and making the paint bubble and fall off!

[andrew belby]

100 per cent do NOT go for wonder wheels. We clean a lot of cars and have used this in the past. I wouldn't even use it on someone else's wheels! It will dull the lacquer over time, and like alex mentioned, get under anodising.... I like Meguiars products, and just wax the wheels after. Easy to clean next time too, just with car wash mix, then re-apply wax

[Dave_R1001]

Maybe I havent made my intentions clear. Im going to use it literally just the once on each wheel to get off these few stubborn marks. From then on I will be more on top of cleaning them, using meguiars products!

Off to halfords at lunch to see what they have in stock!

[Alex Creasey]

If it's for a one off big clean then although it's evil stuff, the Wonder wheels will probably suit, purely on the fact it's so acidic...... If you can get the Hot Rims from Meg's then do as thats about the best Halfrauds has to offer. If it's stubborn marks like tar spots and ingrained dirt that even a the wheel cleaner doesn't help shift, then you'll probably need a clay bar to pull the cr*p off, or even a few dabs of white spirit to get it off.

[Monk2]

Whilst on the subject of keeping wheels clean can you recommend a method of cleaning around the bolts of split rims?
Is there a siimple way or is it cotton bud time?

[andrew belby]

Toothbrush and your normal wheel cleaner then rinse off

[Alex Creasey]

1/2" paint brush......Then either cut the bristles down to suit or try and find one with relatively firm bristles.
There aren't really any wheel brushes that are good for the bolts, keep the cotton buds handy!

And the above!

[Dave_R1001]

I got them clean enough! There were some marks on the insides that I just couldnt shift though.
I had some brushes from one of the meguiars kits that worked ok (basically a traditional scrubbing brush) when combined with a whole bottle of the meguiars hot wheels and a bit of wonder wheels on the stubborn spots.
Sealed them with the Poorboys stuff I bought and then a few coats of wax on top of that.