dirty rims

jack98s70 · Post by **jack98s70** » 13 Feb 2011, 06:36

Can anyone recommend a product that will clean off 4 years of brake dust and road grime from my rims?

zhenya · Post by **zhenya** » 13 Feb 2011, 07:22

Hmm. My experience is that there is nothing that will get it all off without also taking a good deal of the finish off as well. I have had mixed success using the various wheel cleaning products found at the auto parts store, but in general, my best luck has been in using some combination of soap and water, bug and tar remover, and a product that Napa sells that is called something like "Aluminum Brightener". Now this last product has some acid in it, so be extremely careful with it, use it in small amounts, and test it first (rubber gloves too!). This will take the finish or at least the outer coats off many wheels, so use with care. Scrubbing with anything abrasive with any of these products will do the same thing.

Most likely, if you want them really clean, you're going to have to re-paint them.

aahmes57 · Post by **aahmes57** » 13 Feb 2011, 08:03

I've been using a product called Grease Lightning with good success on alot of stuff. It's like 409 but better. Spray it on, let it sit, spay again and use an old toothbrush. Rinse it off. Works great for me. Lowes, home depot, k-mart just about anywhwere.

Post by **jblackburn** » 13 Feb 2011, 08:09

Grease Lightning

+1, that stuff is awesome!

Post by **JRL** » 13 Feb 2011, 08:21

#1 answer was correct.
You need something very strong so even if the paint is not damaged there will be permanent (black) marks left on the wheels from the asbestos in the brake dust

Post by **JDS60R** » 13 Feb 2011, 10:27

Use Eagle One A-Z wheel cleaner. The new formula (2010) is alkaline.
Apply and agitate with a proper no scratching tire brush for 30 seconds. Then rinse clean with lots of clean water. It works fantastic.
Do not do it in direct sunlight.
Do not let it dry.
Do one wheel at a time.
The wheel must be dry and cold.

Post by **JRL** » 13 Feb 2011, 10:36

Doesn't matter
Even if you manage to "clean" the entire wheel, there will be no paint in certain parts and/or burned in black from the asbestos in other areas

Post by **JDS60R** » 13 Feb 2011, 10:40

Ahhh -nothing like the smell of asbestos in the morning.

Duplicolor wheel paints are not hard to use or you can take the wheels locally to be restored for about $40-60 per wheel (just a sand and paint)if you do find what JRL mentioned.

Unfortunately it is common to see that type of damage to a wheel that is not cleaned properly and often.

On the bright side- many wheels clean up and look fantastic !!!

billy · Post by **billy** » 13 Feb 2011, 10:54

I agree with the "greased lighting" recommend. It is great stuff for the initial clean. After that, welcome to maintaining. Takes 2 0r 3 times a week, less than 10 minutes each time. You ask how? I'll tell you how. You will need: water hose with running water inside it, plastic bucket that has 1 gal. of water and 1/4cup of pine sol, cotton garden gloves ( to keep your knuckles from gett'in skin't up), & a raggedy towel. Blow'em wet with the hose, rub'em with the cleaning solution, and then rinse'em off with hose. Keeps'em lookin nice. Remember what Harry Truman said, "clean wheels are happy wheels...and a 10lb bag of flour makes a really big biscuit."

zhenya · Post by **zhenya** » 13 Feb 2011, 11:13

I've also had good luck with Eagle's wheel conditioner or wax (not sure what it's called at the moment). Put this on every few months and stuff pretty much wipes off. Don't follow their instructions though - you must wipe it on and buff it otherwise it just leaves white streaks everywhere.