Alloy cleaner

[bernmc]

Alex, what do you recommend for the brake dust damage pictured below. I usually use Meguiars hot wheels, but this stuff is ingrained and won't shift. Kills me - I spent hours polishing the darn alloys when I got the car.

Got anything that will shift it, or am I going to have to get the metal paste out?

Anything to prevent it happening - I've tried all sorts of things without success.

[Alex Creasey]

Ooh, sorry, I hadn't seen this!

What finish are the wheels? Polished, laquered? I'm guessing they aren't anodised if you've already used an abrasive polish on them?

Depending on the type of finish would depend on what kind of cleaner to recomend but I would consider using a Claybar on them to help remove the brake dust. This will pick off all the little bits without actually abrading into the surface like a polish. You couls also use (or alternatively use) a paint cleaner such as my SP Paint Cleanser to chemically clean the wheel without using an abrasive. This again, would help remove the brake dust without using a polish.

Once they are clean, use a good sealant and get some protection on the wheels.... It won't stop them getting dirty but, it will help make them clean up alot easier in future.

Oh, and finally.. If the wheels are an unlaquered alloy, get the metal polish out once you've washed them, then get as much protection on them as possible.

Hope that helps .

Cheers.
Alex.

[bernmc]

Not sure about the finish - they've always been less than ideal. Had a lot of marks on them when I got them, and never seem to 'shine'. Dull

Will try the claybar - I have a few lying around.

What would you recommend to seal and protect?

I may have to get a pro refurb, but that's going to depend on whether I keep the car

[Alex Creasey]

To seal, if you've got a paint sealant laying around, that will do the job. The specific wheel sealants you get are just slightly heavier duty. I tend not to use a wax on the wheels as wax breaks down quicker under the heat and dirt etc compared to a sealant which is more resilient.

Cheers .