The strongest wheel cleaner is....?

[The Seer]

A friend has a problem with removing dirt/brake dust that more or less seems ridiculously stubborn. It looks like a build up over many miles and years.

Anyone have an idea of what type of cleaner is necessary and where it can be purchased?

Not too bothered if it contains acid. Needs to be VERY strong.

Thanks.

 

[AlexG]

Nitromors if you are going to refurb the wheel lol.

Try wonder wheels, Megs wheel brightner or a strong clay.

 

[The Seer]

Thanks
I had heard a very strong wheel cleaner was available from Renault?:-S
Is the Wonder Wheels one of the strongest youve used?This dirt aint coming off without a fight.:-(

 

[The Boosh!]

i use brillo pads then polish them

 

[ROSS18]

Wonder Wheels is acidic so it could cause alloy damage

 

[Inferno]

Fairy power spray! Only thing that did the trick when I left my wheel cleaning too long when I had pf97 pads in. At your own risk though!

 

[JD]

wonder wheels is highly acidic and so will remove the caked on brake dust, but will dull the wheels.

this however can be remedied by a good polish. as stated, i suggested diluted wonder wheels, followed by a good claying! then polish, seal and can use soapy water from then on.

jamie

 

[mattjk]

Brick acid - cheaper than wonder wheels and very similar.

 

[N!CK R]

I got some of this a couple days ago... supposedly quite good.
Havent had chance to try it yet though.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheel...bilberry-wheel-cleaner-1-litre-/prod_499.html

You dilute depending on how grimy the wheels are, so should be fairly versatile.
Acid free aswell.

 

[iimushroomzii]

Brick acid.

 

[Gaz_]

^

 

[Bluebeard]

I use Brick acid on mine. Only once mind and they will come up like new with a good soak and a scrub with a toothbrush.

If you keep using it, it will eventually eat away all the laquer.

 

[Hutchie]

barry scott here, introducing CILIT BANG

BANG and the dirt is gone

 

[Alastair.]

autosmart alloy shine is metal stuff, burns ya skin!

 

[The Seer]

i use brillo pads then polish them

I think Brillo pads might be a little harsh. Scratches?

 

[The Seer]

I use Brick acid on mine. Only once mind and they will come up like new with a good soak and a scrub with a toothbrush.

If you keep using it, it will eventually eat away all the laquer.

Brick acid is bought from a builder's merchant?:S

 

[The Seer]

I got some of this a couple days ago... supposedly quite good.
Havent had chance to try it yet though.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheel...bilberry-wheel-cleaner-1-litre-/prod_499.html

You dilute depending on how grimy the wheels are, so should be fairly versatile.
Acid free aswell.

Thanks. Already been using it on the O.Z's on the Clio. Seems to have worked pretty well. Though I have my doubts on the other wheels. Gonna try it though.

 

[The Seer]

autosmart alloy shine is metal stuff, burns ya skin!

Autosmart is readily available at in local high street retailers?

 

[The Seer]

wonder wheels is highly acidic and so will remove the caked on brake dust, but will dull the wheels.

this however can be remedied by a good polish. as stated, i suggested diluted wonder wheels, followed by a good claying! then polish, seal and can use soapy water from then on.

jamie

Cheers. I may give the Wonder Wheels a go.

 

[Bluebeard]

Brick acid is bought from a builder's merchant?:S

Correct.

Make sure you wear gloves.

 

[Alastair.]

Autosmart is readily available at in local high street retailers?

nah think u can get it off the net, i get it off a autosmart lorry that comes round work every week, spent £70 2 day:S

 

[Fred@BTM]

the trade stuff from renault is the best

 

[mattjk]

Correct.

Make sure you wear gloves.

I got some in my eye once, stung for a bit but i can still see so no problem there

Gloves deffo a good idea made my fingers go all tingly.

 

[Tigger]

I got some of this a couple days ago... supposedly quite good.
Havent had chance to try it yet though.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheel...bilberry-wheel-cleaner-1-litre-/prod_499.html

You dilute depending on how grimy the wheels are, so should be fairly versatile.
Acid free aswell.

I'd try that or Wonder Wheels (heard it's harsh if left on too long)

Don't fancy the idea of brick acid lol

 

[The Boosh!]

I think Brillo pads might be a little harsh. Scratches?

normally they get a good drench with a strong dilution of megs APC and left to dwell then wiped clean but if i have left them for a bit (brake dust round the back of the wheel etc) then i get the brillo pads on the back. dont use it on the front though as my wheels have never been that bad.

 

[Rich]

I would steer clear of using any sort of abbrassive pads even on the insides as they will scratch, let the acid do the work.

Cleaned up some dirty wheel inners yesterday using some Wonder Wheels and Brake Cleaner, got there in the end, keeping the wonder wheels wet so the acid could do it's job seemed to work, keep on agitating it around the whole wheel inner for about 10 mins before removing it and it did the job.

 

[Darmon]

I used wonder wheels today, and that stuff is gd

I did 2 wheels, took a while (and alot of degreaser due to CV grease on the inside rim), alot of brillo pads and water, but i got them pretty damn clean (not brand new, but enough to tell they've been done and so i've got a platform to work from)

Dead easy to use as well, just brush on and agitate with a wheel brush

 

[DanD182]

I would steer clear of using any sort of abbrassive pads even on the insides as they will scratch, let the acid do the work.

Cleaned up some dirty wheel inners yesterday using some Wonder Wheels and Brake Cleaner, got there in the end, keeping the wonder wheels wet so the acid could do it's job seemed to work, keep on agitating it around the whole wheel inner for about 10 mins before removing it and it did the job.

wouldn't tardis do the job undiluted, agitated with a wheel brush and left for 2mins or so? and then use an aggressive clay bar?

Prob talkin out my arse though. lol

 

[Gaz_]

Seriously, as a one off, fairy power spray or brick acid. Wouldnt touch them with a brillo pad, scrathy scratchy!!!!

 

[Rich]

wouldn't tardis do the job undiluted, agitated with a wheel brush and left for 2mins or so? and then use an aggressive clay bar?

Prob talkin out my arse though. lol

Tar remover is designed to remove tar, won't remove etched in brake dust like an acidic product will.

Clay works on bonded stuck on brake dust, but again falls down on etched in marks, as it shears off above the surface contamination.

 

[swirly182]

HF.

 

[DanD182]

Tar remover is designed to remove tar, won't remove etched in brake dust like an acidic product will.

Clay works on bonded stuck on brake dust, but again falls down on etched in marks, as it shears off above the surface contamination.

Ah right ok, yes i just thought neat tardis was quite strong.

I guess this person should show his friend how to take care of his wheels from now on.

 

[Gally]

autosmart g101.done

 

[Rossy197]

barry scott here, introducing CILIT BANG

BANG and the dirt is gone

PMSL !!!

 

[The Seer]

Wonder Wheels seems to be doing the job. Gonna need another application and alot more elbow grease.

 

[Rich]

Let it dwell longer - I was agitating it for about 5 mins to get the best out of it last weekend.

 

[rawbhp]

i find the safest way to use wonder wheels is to only leave it on for about a minute, but put on several applications. (so 3x1 min for example). i certainly wouldn't use anything abrasive! ww cleans all the caked dust off brake callipers too-works a treat if they are painted. i was going to repaint mine but discovered they come up as good as new.

 

[SCOTT_182CUP]

I'm using Carbol Lorraine pads and they mullered my wheels. Wonder wheels left on for a minute or so and agitated with a brush got if off no problem. a quick polish and wax and they should just need soapy water once a week to keep on top of them. I'd never polished and sealed my wheels before but now see the reasoning behind it.

 

[m4rkie23]

would wonder wheels, a nice tough brush and maybe a jet wash remedy the back of the wheels?

 

[The Seer]

I'm using Carbol Lorraine pads and they mullered my wheels. Wonder wheels left on for a minute or so and agitated with a brush got if off no problem. a quick polish and wax and they should just need soapy water once a week to keep on top of them. I'd never polished and sealed my wheels before but now see the reasoning behind it.

Yeah, must get around to polishing and sealing the wheels. Not an easy job with these O.Z multispokes.:dapprove: