What is the best wheel cleaner for the polished rims, to remove road and brake grime?

TREKER said:
That will clean them, will it restore the polished look? :dontknow:
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The short answer is its possible but highly doubtful. The wheel cleaners you used are way too harsh...as you found out. Possible that you simply have a film of the cleaning agent attached to the surface. Hopefully it simply removed the gloss and didn't etch into the powdercoat. Without looking at it personally its hard to say where to start but when in doubt error on the "finer is better". My suggestion would be to stop by your local Automotive Paint Supplier and get their opinion. Id suggest not going in on Mondays or Fridays. Mid day during the week you'll find them much more willing able to spend time with you and tell you what you need to do.
 
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Black1 said:
Soap and water.....

..... If you want to clean the inside, take the wheels off the truck.
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That's what I have found! Take em off! It's much easier.
 
EMT/SRT said:
That's what I have found! Take em off! It's much easier.
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Yep... Mine aren't (oops, weren't :eek: :( ) clear coated.... so I actually used a scotch-bright pad to clean up the pitting and spots off the inside of the wheels. Worked great! :dontknow: :)
 
I use Wheel Wax and for wheel cleaner, Armor All triple action or Meguiars works OK. I also use the tried and true soap, water and wash cloth method.
 
It's the inside of the wheels that drive me nuts. I have used simply green, as well as soap and water, with only so so results. I haven't brought myself to trying a scotch-bright pad to get rid of the pits.

Black1: Do you have any before/after pics?
 
I used a product last week, made by Turtle Wax, comes in an Orange spray bottle (Don't rember the exact name) stated that is was safe for all wheels and coatings. The brake dust simply melted off. There were a few spots that were heavy that I used a small bursh on just work it in a little. No spots, no residue, no stains.

You may give it a try, it worked for me.
 
SANCHOBA said:
mine are clearcoated inside and out (from the factory). just about any reputable brand that says "safe for clearcoat" will do. also you can mix up some simple green,a little goes along way.;)
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A friend of mine told me ab
 
SANCHOBA said:
mine are clearcoated inside and out (from the factory). just about any reputable brand that says "safe for clearcoat" will do. also you can mix up some simple green,a little goes along way.;)
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A friend of mine told me about using Simple Green on the wheels, because they don't stain and he was right! It really helps to get rid of the grime :)
 
I've also been known to clay-bar/wax the inside of the wheels. . . It really helps repel alot of crap.
 
Just be sure it's an older one. I usually keep two or three around. One that's dirtiest for the wheels, one that's dirty for the bug-guts and lower body panels, and one that's clean for the upper body panels.
 
oldcolt said:
It's the inside of the wheels that drive me nuts. I have used simply green, as well as soap and water, with only so so results. I haven't brought myself to trying a scotch-bright pad to get rid of the pits.

Black1: Do you have any before/after pics?
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Let me see if I can dig some up.... :) I just made DAMN SURE my wheels weren't clear coated before I went at them with a scotch pad tho. ;)
 
I don't have any good pictures of after I did the wheels.... But they were CLEAN.

One tip: You will see "grooves" in the wheel from the machining process.... just go with the grain (so to speak) as you wipe them down with the scotch brite pad. I wet the wheels first with the hose, then spray them down with wheel cleaner (one that is "safe for all wheels") and let them set for 5 minutes or so..... after that, I scrub the inside of the wheel with the scotch-brite pad. The road grime/tar/brake dust/crap will come right off. You might have some "pitting" on the wheel from old brake dust sitting on there for so long.... it will come off with some more scrubbing.

DO NOT USE A SCOTCH-BRITE PAD ON THE FACE OF THE WHEEL. Soap/Water and regular auto wax (I prefer Meguiers) will work just fine. :)
 
Thanks Black1. If the snow ever melts here, I will give it a try!!
 
Scared of the scotch brite but if I can find the jack I am going to try something today, washed and waxed with tech wax yesterday. Need to try the new tech wax and see if thats better. 56 degrees here in la la land today and sunny :)
 
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