Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Aesthetics Dirty, Dirty Wheels!

So boys, I have a confession.....

Early this year my caliper seals on both wheels went and I got helluva mess on my wheels. They are embarassing. Dark and stained....I been battling the stains all summer and have not made good progress. In fact right now I have given up.

I have Ford stocks....7 spokes (i think). I wanna clean em up before winter really gets here.

What do you guys suggest as nasty cleaning stuff or process?

Simple green automotive degreeser works the best along with a good stiff (not wire, plastic!) brush. There are many companies that make metal sealants (some are wheel specifice, but they do the same damn thing) may wanna consider this. I used a product called Zoop Seal, worked amazing. You apply it to a sparkling clean wheel. After the product "soaks in" the wheel is permanently (for quite a long time) protected from anything and everyhting. Brake dust, oils, brake fluid grimey stuff, you name it, all you gotta do is hose it off (thats if any thing sticks to it.) Try that! You'd like it.

Oh yeah, and there is also an automotive degreeser (multi purpose auto, might I add) called Blue Max. We use it at the dealership I work at... it's probably even better than simple green.

Try and stay away from wheel specific cleaners (like Eagle One wheel cleaner, wire fire rim cleaner, and all those others) some of these rpoducts can and will eat at the finish if you have ametallic silver painted wheel. Strangly, that is the only kind of wheel that can be affected, a dull silver, black, chrome or what have you, is not chemically affected. I ruined a set of E1's becuase of Eagle One (and they paid for them, too). They didn't say anything about testing before use... but now they do.

What always worked for me is to simply fight fire with fire. If brake fluid made the stain, add some more to it. Rub it in and it should loosen up and you can then degrease and wipe it off. As for degreasers, one of the best I have ever used is biodiesel. I use it in my parts washer. It is the only thing that has been able to remove the oil residue that gets on my hands when I change the oil on my VW. Oil stains like ink after its been in a diesel engine for a while. If you want the recipe, PM or e-mail me. After the biodiesel wash, just use a good soap and water and it should come off nice. Its non toxic, ph balanced and damned nice on the hands too.

Sounds like a good excuse for some new rims.

dirty?



rust is worse

Stickyjazz...

It sounds like the brake fluid has eaten into the finish on your wheels... remember that factory wheels are painted and finished with a clear coat, and brake fluid eats that up real good.

Likely, all the scrubbing and all the cleaners won't do a bit of good; you'll probably have to strip and re-paint.

In general, if you do use a wheel cleaner, try something like Mothers Wheel Mist Multi-Purpose or a similar product that is specifically formulated and safe for painted and clear-coated wheels. Cleaners for chrome and bare metal wheels are too strong for use with painted wheels. I also recommend to use a sponge or a soft car wash mitt before trying any sort of firm brush on stubborn stains. Remember that this is paint, and even a plastic brush will scratch the surface (unless it has very soft bristles).

And Dakmis, that's what I'd try on your wheels with the rust, though I bet there's a lot of damage that's already been done on the finish, unfortunately.

In either case, follow the directions and try repeated applications.

Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Good luck!

thanks for the info guys. Looks like there are a couple options that I can try for cleaning and then I will zoop em up so I don't find myself in the same situation again.

Everyday I drive to work and I feel like people are staying at me and shaking their heads. You know the look that you give when you see a nice BMW that has nice rims with black dust caked on them. The guy either can't be bothered or he has so much dough he too f'in cheap to pay someone to do it.

I'll give it a try and report back how my rims turn out.