IronX question...

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Do you need to clean the wheel before applying?

[bigaizsosexy]

I've used it both ways. I would suggest cleaning the wheel first as the product is quite expensive. I achieved best results after thoroughly cleaning the wheel and then applying ironx spray or gel.

[TroyScherer]

^ I second that.

I think of it this way. If your wheel or paint is dirty and you spray IronX on it there is a possibility that some of the contamination could be coved up by dirt or tar. If so then you will not get everything off.

[SeaJay's]

This is actually a good question. I've been using Iron-X for about a year now for wheels. And I always give the wheels a thorough rinse then spray on my Iron-X.

I am going to have to give washing the wheels first, then spraying the Iron-X. May help with those stubborn BMW wheels.

[qaz393]

i use a diluted iron x as my wheel cleaner right now......

i do notice that it does destroy my valve steam metal.....

[shoeless89]

i use a diluted iron x as my wheel cleaner right now......

i do notice that it does destroy my valve steam metal.....

You probably don't need to use it all the time. I only use it on my wheels 1-3 times a year.

[SeaJay's]

You probably don't need to use it all the time. I only use it on my wheels 1-3 times a year.

Definitely wouldn't use it all the time. I use it every few months on mine. But mine are also coated with opti-coat 2.0, so cleaning them is a breeze even without iron-x.

[WRAPT C5Z06]

^ I second that.

I think of it this way. If your wheel or paint is dirty and you spray IronX on it there is a possibility that some of the contamination could be coved up by dirt or tar. If so then you will not get everything off.
My thoughts as well.

Thanks everyone. :dblthumb2:

[richy]

Mark, I spray it on the wheel when it's dry and do it first. Once I've rinsed it off, any remaining tar gets dealt with by Tarminator. His new product will do it all in one step.

[Mike Phillips]

Do you need to clean the wheel before applying?

By removing any roadgrime first, (which is usually an oily/dirt film), you allow the Iron-X to do it's job easier and more effectively. I demonstrated this in this thread,


1994 Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 - Modeled by Janna and Amy (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/sign-up-open-garage-classes/40652-1994-porsche-964-turbo-3-6-modeled-janna-amy.html)

First up... wash the wheels and tires... soft Boar's Hair Brush, lug nut brush and Wolfgang Tire and Wheel Cleaner
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW08.jpg


The Lug nut brush works really well for cleaning the barrels
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW09.jpg


Bristles are flexible to get into intricate areas and agitate cleaner with roadgrime and brake dust
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW10.jpg


Daytona Speedmaster Wheel Brush for getting behind the wheel and into tight areas...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW11.jpg


First wheel cleaned and rinsed...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW12.jpg


Sprayed on Iron X and let dwell, as you can see the wheels were actually pretty free of any iron contamination... that's a good thing although I know everyone wants to see a lot of color running off the rim... (that would mean the wheel was in fact embedded with iron filings.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW13.jpg

After agitating I rinsed...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW14.jpg


Perfectly clean and contamination free... I repeated the same procedure to the other three wheels and tires...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW15.jpg



Clean wheels...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW44.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW45.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW46.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW47.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW48.jpg


:dblthumb2:

[richy]

The other thing to bear in mind is that IX works much better on a dry surface. That's another reason I like to use it first.

[LuxuryMobile]

Well put Richy.

Iron X put on a wet surface is going to be similar to using diluted Iron X.

[TroyScherer]

The other thing to bear in mind is that IX works much better on a dry surface. That's another reason I like to use it first.

I agree Richy.

I usually wash down my wheels and use my MasterBlaster to dry them quickly. For my own personal rides this is fine and works as I have time.

For customers, I will spray the wheel with IronX first to save time. As you know time is money....

[Mike Phillips]

A case can be made either way for dry or wet, for me I want to remove as much of the roadgrime off the surface and any brake dust that comes off at the same time before I spray on the Iron-X.

I also wash the car first and remove all the roadgrime and loose dirt off the car to enable the Iron-X to do it's job easier and more effectively.


Next, wash the body panels starting at the top and working down, I also continually rinse the wheels and tires as I worked around the car so any lingering residues were rinsed off..

Note the labels on the buckets, simple idea but helpful because as you work around the car even though one bucket is the soap solution and the other is rinse water, they both end up with suds floating on top. The labels make it easy to quickly identify which bucket is which...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW16.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW17.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW18.jpg



Next up... decontaminate the body panels using Iron-X.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW19.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW20.jpg


After allowing the product to dwell for a few minutes I gently re-washed the paint and then rinsed all the residue off...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW21.jpg


Ready to dry, for this I used Guzzler Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towels...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1257/94PorscheCTW22.jpg



But Mark and anyone one else reading this, please try whichever approach works best for you!


:)

[BobbyG]

Hey Mark,

As you can see there almost no right or wrong way to use this stuff but something to keep in the back of your mind is Iron-X is sort of pricey. Knowing this, I like to use as little as possible to get the job done effectively.

I wash my wheels first to remove as much grime and debris as possible. I'll give the wheel a quick wipe with a terrycloth towel and knock off as much water before I spray on the Iron-X. I'll let it sit and work for a while then wash off with soap and water.

As with most things I was a skeptic with Iron-X but the darn stuff does work pretty well. I had some brake dust "stuck" on one wheel but Iron-X was able to remove 90% of it making it look like new...:props: