What to use to clean painted aluminum rims?
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Posts like a Corvette
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From: San Diego, CA
What to use to clean painted aluminum rims?
What should I use to clean grime and brake dust off of factory painted / clearcoated aluminum rims?
I hesitate to use any of the acid based wheel cleaners on the market, since, as I understand it, they are for bare aluminum.
I have scrubbed and scrubbed with a toothbrush and Simple Green...but alot of that stuff just won't come off. I am thinking of whipping out the pressure washer on this filth...
I hesitate to use any of the acid based wheel cleaners on the market, since, as I understand it, they are for bare aluminum.
I have scrubbed and scrubbed with a toothbrush and Simple Green...but alot of that stuff just won't come off. I am thinking of whipping out the pressure washer on this filth...
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From: Quincy, Ma
well you used the 2 things i would have said to use.
which car? if its been backing in there for years you may be out of luck.
you could try the acid based stuff deluted to see how it goes.
which car? if its been backing in there for years you may be out of luck.
you could try the acid based stuff deluted to see how it goes.
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From: _Phoenix, AZ_ _WCBF '05, '06, '07 Survivor_ ____NEBF '07 Remnant___
If the clearcoat is intact, simple green and a toothbrush should have taken off the brake dust and grime easily. If you are having to scrub that hard, it sounds like there my be some loss of clearcoat and particles embedded in the aluminum itself or some staining or tarnishing.
For all my washings, I use Meguire'* Hot Rims and everything comes out beautifully, but that is less agressive than Simple Green.
For all my washings, I use Meguire'* Hot Rims and everything comes out beautifully, but that is less agressive than Simple Green.
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From: Maryland, USA
I would start out with the Hot Rims followed by a clay bar. This should remove all the brake dust.
The next task is to seal the surface with either Wheel Wax or a quality polymer sealant.
Then it is just maintenance every time you wash the car clean the wheels and another coat of the polymer sealant.
For a sealant I prefer Zaino. Others on the BC use Liquid Glass with amazing results. Meguiars Tech wax would be right up there as well.
Overall wheels need to be cleaned every time you wash the car. Once you get a system down it only takes 15 minutes after each wash. Time well invested on your car.
The next task is to seal the surface with either Wheel Wax or a quality polymer sealant.
Then it is just maintenance every time you wash the car clean the wheels and another coat of the polymer sealant.
For a sealant I prefer Zaino. Others on the BC use Liquid Glass with amazing results. Meguiars Tech wax would be right up there as well.
Overall wheels need to be cleaned every time you wash the car. Once you get a system down it only takes 15 minutes after each wash. Time well invested on your car.
