MAJOR wheel cleaning

[Lakaiguy]

E36 factory chrome (i think) multi-spoke wheels

looks as if they havent been cleaned since 98' when the car was purchased

no air tools just basic hand drills and elbow grease

please help

thanks

[TOGWT]

Cleaning Chrome Wheels:
Use a product that doesn’t contain harsh solvents, petroleum distillates or ammonia A metal polish in the form of a pleasant-smelling, non-toxic soap (P21S Polishing Soap ( is not intendedfor use on painted, clear coated or anodized surfaces) it is a solid, clay-based (Kaolin) polish that applies with its own sponge. Simply wet the sponge with water, wipe it across the Polishing Soap, and squeeze the sponge to create lather and begin polishing and then rinse with clean water. To safely remove blemishes Zymol Metall Britework Polish

Once the brake dust / soil has been removed apply a polymer sealant for protection, this will also make future cleaning easier. A polymer is recommended as it has a higher melting temperature (350oF) compared to Carnauba wax (180oF) a wheel surface will reach a temperature in excess of 120oF due to rotor friction and in excess of 195oF when parked in the sun.

Alternate products-Happich SeamiChrome Polish - http://www.caswellplating.com (http://www.caswellplating.com/) - Chrome Polish and hot environment polish - http://www.englishcustompolishing.com- (http://www.englishcustompolishing.com-/)P21S Finish Restorer – http://www.autogeek.com

Methodology:
· Thoroughly rinse wheels to remove any loose surface dirt or dust, remove imbedded brake dust with detailer’s clay
· Remove surface brake dust with a 100% acid-free and neutral pH wheel cleaner (P21S Wheel Cleaner) Agitate with a soft boar’s hair wheel brush and rinse with low-pressure clean water

To remove very fine scratches use talcum powder and a damp cloth, for heavier scratches use a mildly abrasive polish (P21S Polishing Soap or Muti-Surface Finish or Wendol Red or Blue) Autogeek (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/autogeek.net)· If necessary use a polish to restore the lustre of polished chrome (Happich Simichrome Polish) to prevent re-oxidation and provide a water-resistant coating, remove residue with a clean, dry micro fibre towel. Simichrome polish is a non-toxic paste that applies easily and will not scratch.

Use a one-step product (Zoopseal or Klasse All-In-One) to provide both cleaning and long-term polymer protection; this will also make future cleaning easier. Apply with a damp applicator; remove residue with a clean, dry micro fibre towel, and finally buff surface to a shine.Maintenance-remove brake dust with car wash concentrate or P21S Wheel Cleaner (or P21S Gel dependant on how soiled the wheel surface is) Zaino AIO or Zoopseal should only require renewal twice per year.

Road salt and brake dust are very corrosive, you need to do more than just washing and protecting the face of the wheels. Make sure you remove the wheels twice a year for a full cleaning treatment
Wheel Detailing Brush:
This non-scratch, very flexible, E-Z Detail Brush is 18 inches long, 4-1/2 inches in diameter and is super-soft with Nylex bristles, a material that combines the softness of a natural bristle with the strength of nylon. There's a vinyl tip bonded to the top of the brush and a knuckle guard on the handle but the most impressive feature of this brush is the flexible, inner core. This vinyl-coated wire core will bend in every imaginable direction which allows the brush to get into areas where few other brushes can reach. http://www.properautocare.com/ezdetailbrush.html (http://www.properautocare.com/ezdetailbrush.html)

Alternative product-
a) Lambs wool wheel cleaning brushes - called Wheel Woolies, these brushes drastically cut the amount of time it takes to clean almost any kind of wheel. Each brush is 12 inches long with a chemical resistant handle and a bonded wool head - http://www.properautocare.com/lawhclbr.html.
b) Spoke & Slot Brush (http://store.yahoo.com/tolae/supspokslotb.html) - Simple, safe, and effective, ultra-soft bristles squeeze into wheel crevices.Topoftheline

[Lakaiguy]

as far as the finish goes it might as well be wood because i can't see it

so although that info is good it's not very helpful yet

theres alot of caked on brake dust and road grime that i need to get off first

[Totoland]

E36 factory chrome (i think) multi-spoke wheels

looks as if they havent been cleaned since 98' when the car was purchased

no air tools just basic hand drills and elbow grease

please help

thanks

You might want to check with the Meguiar's people in Irvine...right in your back yard.

I typically use their Hot Rims wheel cleaner, some soft brushes, some soap and hot water (with a little APC thrown in for good measure). The key to Hot Rims cleaner is to spray and let stand for 20-30 seconds (NEVER let it dry on the wheels!), then rinse and scrub with soapy water. Follow that with another application (or 2 or 3...whatever it takes) and you'll clean them off.

Here's some pics of a recent detail on a Bentley Twin Turbo W-12 Flying Spur. Stopping this 6200 pounder definitely sprays brake dust! It consumed 2 full bottles of Hot Rims and 1.5 hours to get them looking like they should.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Bentley%20Flying%20Spur/BentleyWheel_Dirty.jpg

Cleaned and ready for some metal polish and tire dressing

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Bentley%20Flying%20Spur/BentleyWheel_Clean.jpg

Polished with metal polish and dressed the tires with Michelin tire dressing

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Bentley%20Flying%20Spur/BentleyWheel_CleanAndPolished.jpg

Good Luck....it's a lotta work

Toto

[Steve530]

as far as the finish goes it might as well be wood because i can't see it

so although that info is good it's not very helpful yet

theres alot of caked on brake dust and road grime that i need to get off first

I think the info from TOGWT and Totoland is what you need.

IMHO, I'd take the wheels off the car so it's easier to reach the hard to get at spots. I'd start with a good rinse. Then I'd spray the wheel with a good wheel cleaner, like Eagle One A to Z, and let it work for a few seconds. Scrub it with a brush and rinse it off. Then I'd repeat the spray, bush and rinse.

That should get most of the stuff off, but you'll probably be left with some really difficult dust in the crevices. That's where you're going to have to get creative. Detailer's clay might be enough. If it's really bad, you might want to risk some scratches by using a 3M scouring nylon pad. Take it easy there and try to hit just the caked on dust.

It will take a lot of work. Just be patient and work it.