Started to clean my filthy Turinis- advice needed

[Austin-182]

Evening everyone,

Ive been looking closely at all the "wheel cleaning" threads lately. As my turinis are off the car I want to get them as clean as i possibly can ready for the summer/whenever they go back on.

The inside are caked in dirt and everything else that clings to the inside of wheels.

I have hinted to the other half that i would really like some ironX and a good wheel brush as my birthday is coming up. Today i have made a start using what i do have available now as i have been doubtfull they would be possible to get clean anyway as they are in that much of a mess.

anyway, this is what i have used tonight on the first wheel
+jet wash/snow foam
+bucket with normal car shampoo
+Old toothbrush with some degreaser i have left from engine bay (it was just a small sample id had)
+old cliosport member card (no joke)

I always look after the car so the wheels are cleaned regulaly, but not in as much details as they should be and never on the inside. Not perfect condition but they aren't too bad,

Before i started

first i jet washed them, then snow foam and rinsed etc, then degreased and scrubbed along with the hot bucket of shampoo, did this over and over.

as the inside are covered in gunk, scrubbing really wasnt doing much, i used an old member card to scrape off as much as i could. You may laugh but this actually helped massively haha.

Starting to remove it all

I kept spraying theoughout cleaning

It started to get dark so ive stopped, they are much better than before but still need a lot more atention

Here are my further questions, i need the advice feom you guys who know what your doing,

-From what i have read, IronX is used last to get the final dirt off, my degreaser has almoat ran out so can you sugest any other product that i can use to clean them up as best as possible to a state that i can then use the IronX on them.

-also, when i get them clean, i have heard you should seal them, would you use a sealing product straight away, or would you polish and wax and then seal them?
any sugestions on a sealant to use? And should polish and wax first will the normal stuff used on the car be beat to use or would you get specific wheel polish?

sorry for the long thread but any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Austin







p.s, I already cleaned the centre caps

 

[Adam.]

IronX and Tardis.

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

I suggest you read the guides on here a little more often...

IronX gets rid of iron .. metal contamination in the paint - on wheels, 99% of it is going to be from the brake pads/discs. It's not for 'dirt'.

Sealing wheels / paint is your LSP (last step protection)

Wax is a LSP.

However, I would:

1) ensure your CV boots are now all in working order. That's a LOT of grease.
2) buy products.
2) do it all at once - clean them properly to bare paint, then iron-x, tardis (if you have it) and ensure it's all good to go, then seal with (I recommend) C5 from Gteqniq.

 

[Thrill]

AutoSmart Smart Wheels, Iron X & Tardis.. hello sparkly wheels. Then stick some FK1000P wax on them.. or use Gtechniq C5 Wheel Armour for a permanent sparkle.

 

[Austin-182]

Is theIron X and Tardis different from each other or are you suggesting i pick between them 2, what do each of them do?

and would you suggest to polish first or just apply the wax/sealant straight away?

Thanks for the fast response all

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Yes they're two entirely different products.

www.cleanyourcar.co.uk

Have a look for yourself.

 

[Austin-182]

Cheers mate, btw i shouldn't of used the word "dirt" when mentioning Iron X, i realise what thats for was just typing fast and not thinking properly.

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Depending how bad they are, and how arsed you can be .. clean them, iron-x them then maybe a quick rub down with some polish you have. Even a going over with SRP from halfrauds won't hurt.

Going over them with C5 will seal them for years, so you've nothing to worry about there.

 

[Yellow Dave]

any general shampoo, degreaser or wheel cleaner for the 1st initial wash.
IronX or similar iron remover will then remove all the imbedded brake dust.
A tar remover (tardis) can then be used should you have any tar spotting or wheel weight residue left over. Although not always necessary

Now the protection, no point putting in all that effort if you're not going to keep them like it. the options are a wax or sealant that can cope with high temperatures, FK1000, colli 476, mint rims etc. But these typically will last 3-6months but will not stop all the 300 degree + brake dust burning through, so you will likely have to go through the whole cleaning process again although hopefully not to the same degree as you've already done after 3-6months.

The other option is a ceramic sealant such as GTechniq, Nanolex, CQuartz. These require very strict application and paint should be 100% clean with IPA / panel wipe wipedown prior to application for it to bond properly otherwise you're wasting you're money. These should give 18months + protection with only the need for a light shampoo dilution and soft brush / mit to remove everything. occasionally I've had the odd tar spot stick but this has come off with the pressure washer. Do your research on applying if you want to go down the ceramic route

 

[Austin-182]

any general shampoo, degreaser or wheel cleaner for the 1st initial wash.
IronX or similar iron remover will then remove all the imbedded brake dust.
A tar remover (tardis) can then be used should you have any tar spotting or wheel weight residue left over. Although not always necessary

Now the protection, no point putting in all that effort if you're not going to keep them like it. the options are a wax or sealant that can cope with high temperatures, FK1000, colli 476, mint rims etc. But these typically will last 3-6months but will not stop all the 300 degree + brake dust burning through, so you will likely have to go through the whole cleaning process again although hopefully not to the same degree as you've already done after 3-6months.

The other option is a ceramic sealant such as GTechniq, Nanolex, CQuartz. These require very strict application and paint should be 100% clean with IPA / panel wipe wipedown prior to application for it to bond properly otherwise you're wasting you're money. These should give 18months + protection with only the need for a light shampoo dilution and soft brush / mit to remove everything. occasionally I've had the odd tar spot stick but this has come off with the pressure washer. Do your research on applying if you want to go down the ceramic route

Really appreciate that response mate, exactly what i was looking for. Thank you,
Austin