Steam Cleaner

[_WILL_]

I was just wondering if steam cleaners are any good for cleaning car's especially wheels?

something like this:http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Portable-Hand...omeGarden_CLV_Cleaning_CA?hash=item3a57cbc035

Sorry if its a stupid question, but i was looking for an easy way of keeping on top of cleaning my wheels, i don't have a hose and though this might work!

Do you think it will damage them?

I know there are better ways of doing it but im not very good or into cleaning my car, though one of these might make life easier.

 

[JR]

Would not bother imo.

Get these three products and your life will become much easier when it comes to cleaning your Turinis.

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Bilbery_Safe_Wheel_Cleaner_2.html

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/autoglym/super-resin-polish-500ml.aspx?src=google-base

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/poorboys-wheel-sealant/prod_9.html

Job done.

Use the Bilbery first off to clean all of the dirt from your wheels, agitate etc.

Wash off.

Dry.

Polish with AG SRP, allow to haze.

Buff off.

Apply Poorboys Wheel Sealant, allow to haze for 20 mins or so.

Buff off.

Apply 2 more coats.

Done.

In future you shluld only need a very weak Bilbery solution to get your wheels spotless again or just some warm water with your normal car shampoo solution in.

 

[Cliotoby]

It depends on how much you want to spend really. If you spend some time now and clean them properly, remove all contaminates with clay etc and bothering to remove the wheels, its best if you polish them up with whatever you like and then wax or seal them, id go with collinite 476s and give it about 2-3 coats with a 12 hour gap between each coat.

Lot of work yes but itll be easier in the long run.

Like JR mentioned, SRp would be a good polish, rim sealant is goo but having used a pot i would definately stick with Colly.


.


Oh and a steam cleaner does do a good job, useful for interiors and door shuts aswell.

 

[_WILL_]

okay, so a fair bit of work to start with but once its done its going to be a lot less work in the future.
I do get alot of brake dust sticking to them.
The only reason i thought bout the steamer, was cos i have to clean it at the side of the road and walk through the house to top up buckets. Not ideal reall. Just thought it would make like easier.

With regaurds to the first parr of the process, do i need a special brush or sonething to do it or at least help, cos some of the brake dust is really stuck on?

 

[Cliotoby]

People will reccomend you use clay to remove the baked on brake dust but infact it doesnt always work, i use wonder wheels to remove kaked on shite but it is incredibly acidic, works very well mind and takes a lot less time and effort, but you are stripping a few microns of clearcoat away.....

I use an old mr muscle sprayer to spray wonder wheels over the wheels (only if they are in very good condition and i know the risk of the laquer being stripped is minimal) and leave it to dwell. I usually find that its possible to then pressure wash it straight off. After doing this its very important you thoroughly wash your wheels, bilberry will be fine. I would definately not use wonder wheels as a regular wheel cleaner, even in a very diluted form.

About bilberry - people seem to forget that its a non acidic wheel cleaner, i see a lot of people asking for a good wheel cleaner, and people reccomend bilberry, its great, but only if your going to use it in a diluted form to remove light soiling that hasnt baked on (great if youve previously sealed your wheels) as it will make short work of grime.

I think its a worthwhile investment, buying a steam cleaner. You can use it for you car wheels, door shuts and interor. And its always there when you need to for househole use too.

As for brushes, not really, but it might be worth getting the EZ wheel brush (Large) for the inside of the wheel and a vikan wheel brush for the faces. I would buy Bilberry too and just use an old sprayer if you dont want to shell out for a megs handi bottle thing.

......aint gunna be cheap

Collinite 476s (unless you want to use something different)
AG super resin polish
EZ brush
Vikan Brush
Bilberry
Sprayer
And the Steam cleaner. Unless you can get access to a pressure washer.


Might be worth going to a petrol station and using the pressure washer there ?

 

[_WILL_]

It seems like a bit of an art form this cleaning business!!

My wheels are not in great condition to be honest and unfortunatly i am pretty impatient with regaurds to cleaning (i tend to get board and go for a drive instead ) ) One of the wheels needs refurbing ( brake fluid leak = fucked ), but when i do clean the car it always reminds me how good it looks!

Will be getting a power washer when I have moved house (will have a drive and a garage hopefully), then I will give it a really good clean and then keep on top of it with a power washer.

Do people on here who detail for a hobby offer their services out, obviously for a fee!

 

[JR]

There are people on here who do yes, or check out www.detailingworld.co.uk

 

[ro55o]

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Bilbery_Safe_Wheel_Cleaner_2.html

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/autoglym/super-resin-polish-500ml.aspx?src=google-base

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/poorboys-wheel-sealant/prod_9.html

The exact same products I use for my wheels. Takes a bit of time, especially putting 3 coats of the sealant, but worth it for the end result.

 

[JR]

Good idea to add a layer or two of collinite after though, have done this in the past just before the winter months to add a bit more protection.

 

[_WILL_]

There are people on here who do yes, or check out www.detailingworld.co.uk

WOW

some of the stuff on there is amazing! Its like actual magic! There are 2 AMG's that looked like they had driven through a sandpaper factory, and then boom, good as new!

When I graduate and hopefully get a well paid job as an engineer I am going to get the clio looking immaculate, well when I say "I am" I actually mean someone else, but I will help them by bring them lots of cups of tea/coffee !!

Anyway I just bought a steamer but for the interior and also for some stuff round the house, will get my wheel refurbed then wait for some good weather and see what I can do with the mentioned products!