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TLMitchell
04-08-2009, 05:13 PM
Posted here, there & everywhere....

What we have here are OEM coated, cast aluminum wheels from a 2004 GMC Sierra. They've seen 60k+ and 5 Ohio winters without ever getting a really thorough cleaning inside and out.

http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww304/tlmitchell99/Wheels/IMG_0455Medium.jpg

The outer wheels are in pretty decent shape with just a few defects in the coating where wheel weights have been attached. They clean up well and take a shine, they're rarely left very cruddy for long periods. The inner barrels are a different story though.

http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww304/tlmitchell99/Wheels/IMG_0449Medium.jpg


http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww304/tlmitchell99/Wheels/IMG_0459Medium.jpg

Believe me, the pics are AFTER cleaning attempts! They were pitch black before!

My primary goal is to clean these up as well as possible and apply sealant and do 'em once a year every Spring. The visible portions through the holes in the front detract a bit from the overall appearance.

In attempting to clean the inner barrel I first tried a generous dose of P21S Gel and let it dwell for an hour. I then scrubbed the surface crud with a wheel brush getting close to the results shown. Thinking I needed something considerably stouter I applied Purple Power APC full strength and let it dwell taking care that I didn't get any of this nasty stuff on the front of the wheels. Not much improvement.

I then attempted a few other things in spots..... of everything I tried a Brillo pad produced the most favorable result with a TON of scrubbing. I also gave a PowerBall a whirl with Wenol red, Meg's Mag & Aluminum Polish and other lesser products with the best results appearing near the openings where exterior cleaning may have kept them from getting as bad as the rest of the barrel. At this rate using the products and methods I've attempted thus far I might get some decent results if I kept at it for a week or so........ per wheel, probably! There's gotta be a better way....

I'd appreciate any thoughts, comments or suggestions that might lead to some improvement. I don't expect perfection after 5 years of neglect but I'd like to improve the appearance, at least what's visible from the outside of the wheel.

Thanks in advance...... TL
Joshs2013MSAltimaSL
04-08-2009, 05:36 PM
You try some of your Meg's Mag polish with some #0000 steel wool, or something a little more aggressive if the #0000 isn't enough.
ASPHALT ROCKET
04-08-2009, 05:42 PM
I would not use steel wool since they are clear coated and/or painted. You need to find a very strong solvent to loosen the debris up. It might just be baked in there also.
Craig
04-08-2009, 06:48 PM
I've done the same to my wheels in the past on a used Grand Voyager I have. They weren't cared for and were a mess(back side). Mine aren't painted or cleared, raw aluminum (again the back side), steel wool, paint thinner to remove old tar. I came close to getting the sand blaster out. I did get them cleaned up ok. What did I use? Any and everything I had. Didn't hurt anything. In my case, anything would look better than they did.
TLMitchell
04-08-2009, 06:57 PM
I would not use steel wool since they are clear coated and/or painted. You need to find a very strong solvent to loosen the debris up. It might just be baked in there also.

Judging by the spot tests only the front is coated. Which is probably why the remaining crud is hunkered down so well.

Thanks... TL
ScottB
04-08-2009, 06:59 PM
those look like pitting and due to the materials in brake pads sitting on wheels and baking into finish while hot. I doubt you can remove, but using a sealant like Poorboys or Klasse AIO may help from getting worse.
TLMitchell
04-08-2009, 07:00 PM
I've done the same to my wheels in the past on a used Grand Voyager I have. They weren't cared for and were a mess(back side). Mine aren't painted or cleared, raw aluminum (again the back side), steel wool, paint thinner to remove old tar. I came close to getting the sand blaster out. I did get them cleaned up ok. What did I use? Any and everything I had. Didn't hurt anything. In my case, anything would look better than they did.

It appears mine are only coated on the front as well. I was hoping you'd have better news for me. :eek: Just wondering if one of those acid-based cleaners everyone avoids might be the ticket?

Thanks... TL
ASPHALT ROCKET
04-08-2009, 07:02 PM
It appears mine are only coated on the front as well. I was hoping you'd have better news for me. :eek: Just wondering if one of those acid-based cleaners everyone avoids might be the ticket?

Thanks... TL

It will not hurt to try it.
Wendell Jarvis
04-08-2009, 07:28 PM
I would not use steel wool since they are clear coated and/or painted. You need to find a very strong solvent to loosen the debris up. It might just be baked in there also.
:iagree: Steel Wool is a big, big no,no.........that will strip all protection of the MFG. Try diluted ammonia or Meg's APC.......steel wool is not cool !!
Emile
04-08-2009, 08:58 PM
Mothers PowerMetal Aluminum applied by hand with a Microfiber towel. That's the strongest combination I've tried so far; I actually also last used it to clean the insides of my Subaru's wheels.
Craig
04-08-2009, 10:30 PM
We're talking about the back side of the rim, raw aluminum, no paint, no clear. Why is everyone against using steel wool? What can you remove other than dirt, tar? How about a green scuff pad or pot scrubber.
During my fight with scrubbing the BACK side of my RAW, UNPAINTED, NOT CLEAR COATED rim I even gave good old Comet a try. The dirt just laughed at it. I was going to try acid also, I was chicken it would run out between the spokes on the front (outside) of the wheel and mess up the painted and coated area.
HMFIC
04-08-2009, 11:13 PM
Try some compound and an old wool pad
bill walsh
04-09-2009, 09:55 AM
try clay and a vapor steaner i had same poroblem and did this with great results
ScottB
04-09-2009, 06:42 PM
P21S makes a polishing soap for aluminum that takes tarnish and dirt off. Needs polishing afterwards however.
TLMitchell
04-09-2009, 08:07 PM
P21S makes a polishing soap for aluminum that takes tarnish and dirt off. Needs polishing afterwards however.

I was just reading the review thread on that from a few years ago. It'll be a few days or so before I can try anything else.... the wheel is on the truck where it's gotta stay for a bit. Got lots of thoughts and ideas. Some suggested M105 and wool. Hmmm, wonder if I oughta use the KBM? :p

Thanks to all..... TL