Cleaning filthy wheels

[soobaroo]

I've got an 01 F150 with beautiful paint and filthy neglected wheels. I bought some black magic wheel cleaner at Walmart and of course the results were not good. Looking at buying a Wolfgang wheel cleaning kit and getting serious about taking care of this. Would the products in this kit clean this old baked on dirt or are things likely too far gone requiring something more drastic? I'm guessing sand blasting is too drastic. What do you suggest?

[tpr1634]

I use sonax, megs or Malco brake off just depends.

[Bobby B.]

The Wolfgang Uber Wheel Cleaner 3.0 is a great on filthy wheels. I like to use the Speed Master Wheel Brush and the Mothers Wheel Brush for agitating the Uber Wheel Cleaner on the front and backsides of the wheels.

Wolfgang Uber Wheel Cleaner, color changing wheel cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-uber-wheel-cleaner.html)

Cruise Autogeek's collection of carefully selected applicator pads, brushes, & microfiber tools! wheel brush, tire brush, duster, pad, microfiber, (http://www.autogeek.net/apbrus.html)

Application Directions:
1.Always work on a cool wheel in the shade.
2.Always work on only one wheel at a time.
3.Spray Wolfgang Über Wheel Cleaner onto face of wheel and inside wheel barrels.
4.Allow Wolfgang Über Wheel Cleaner to penetrate for 2-3 minutes.
5.Agitate using appropriate wheel brushes.
6.Spray wheels with a strong jet of water and rinse thoroughly until rinse water runs clear.

[bal]

Depending on whether the wheels are painted and clear coated, you may want to try an acid wash. I've used Nanotech Speedybrite. Meguiar's have a similar product. Both are nasty, need to be diluted, but get the job done. Not something you want to use all the time, and you want hand, eye and breathing protection. Once you've got them clean, coat them with something to help for future cleaning.

[Klasse Act]

If your in a pinch and need something now, I can't suggest Meg's Mirror Brite wheel cleaner (color changing too) enough!!!

[soobaroo]

Depending on whether the wheels are painted and clear coated, you may want to try an acid wash. I've used Nanotech Speedybrite. Meguiar's have a similar product. Both are nasty, need to be diluted, but get the job done. Not something you want to use all the time, and you want hand, eye and breathing protection. Once you've got them clean, coat them with something to help for future cleaning.
I'll try a regular cleaner first but if it isn't good enough your idea would be next. Thanks.

[bal]

I'll try a regular cleaner first but if it isn't good enough your idea would be next. Thanks.

Yes I did mean to add start with the least aggressive/destructive product :)

[Mantilgh]

Are they chrome silver color?

You can be a little more aggressive on chrome than painted.

If they are painted it may take a couple of cleanings to get them back to as good as possible without be so rough that you scratch the surface.

Hopefully the surface is still in good condition. If so, once you get them cleaned up give them a light polish and add some protection.


There's a couple of dirty wheels in this thread that were cleaned up.

https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/107306-wheels-embedded-rust-bits.html

[Crispy]

Brown Royal and green ScotchBrite pad.

I scrub off all the crud very aggresively to the point it is dull.

Then compound and Polish with normal paint correcting technique.

That's assuming they are factory paint and not powder coated (can't find any info on how to polish powder coated stuff.

[soobaroo]

[QUOTE=Mantilgh;1487735]Are they chrome silver color?

You can be a little more aggressive on chrome than painted.

If they are painted it may take a couple of cleanings to get them back to as good as possible without be so rough that you scratch the surface.

Hopefully the surface is still in good condition. If so, once you get them cleaned up give them a light polish and add some protection.


There's a couple of dirty wheels in this thread that were cleaned up.

https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/107306-wheels-embedded-rust-bits.html[/QUOTE

They are silver. Polished aluminum I guess but not sure if they are clear coated. Might need to use polish since it's a 16 yr old truck.

[GSKR]

Depending on whether the wheels are painted and clear coated, you may want to try an acid wash. I've used Nanotech Speedybrite. Meguiar's have a similar product. Both are nasty, need to be diluted, but get the job done. Not something you want to use all the time, and you want hand, eye and breathing protection. Once you've got them clean, coat them with something to help for future cleaning.

Agree acid wash is the only way to go for best results and no agitation spray and rinse.

[Crispy]

Brown Royal and green ScotchBrite pad.

I scrub off all the crud very aggresively to the point it is dull.

Then compound and Polish with normal paint correcting technique.

That's assuming they are factory paint and not powder coated (can't find any info on how to polish powder coated stuff.

I'm sorry,I did not know Brown Royal was not an AG product (I was sure I got mine here, but it was 5 years ago).