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...

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.

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.

Personally..I also use Meguires Hot Rims and a soft brush for tire rims.

X2...that is the best that i have found

Try a clay bar.

just seen pics of the 04 in intro and they don't look bad.
do you mean the 98?
Got Pics?

I also agree with Echo ssei as far as the rim finish thoughts go.

Yeah, it'* the 98 that'* got the dirty rims. It has those 15-slot Buick rims that collect dirt like a black suit collects lint.

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.

If it'* really bad try some 3M brillo pads and lots of elbow grease.