cleaning Alloy Wheels

[marc]

Ive had all my BBS RX2 standard alloys replaced by the dealer because of the usual laquer corrosion. But now ive got my new set I'm a bit worried what to use to clean em. I always use turtle wax to wash my car and wheels till now but when the brake dust is really baked on it wont shift it. I'd be grateful to know what you guys have found to be safe when cleaning your rims.

[rooboy]

Try to find a non acidic wheel cleaner (i.e NOT wonder wheels) as the acid obviously eats at the laquer over time. Then use a lot of elbow grease to get them very clean and then use a good quality wax on them to help protect them. This will also make them easier to clean in the future.

[LAN's GTI]

Try this link http://www.extremecarcare.co.uk/wheelwax.asp

Had my new BBS's about two months now, clean them at least once a week with the same shampoo I use on the car, They still look like new.

Will be getting some wheelwax soon to protect them.

[Si_GTi]

My sister's bloke is an Autoglym dealer - he tried to sell me some wheel cleaner from their range but I declined when I found out it was acid-based I'd expect more from Autoglym tbh! Got a wheel cleaning brush though, thats good for getting in and around those pesky bolts. Day-to-day I use the same car shampoo that I use for the rest of the car though. Seems OK so far, although my alloys need attention anyways lol.

[M@Turner]

I took my alloys off on Saturday to give them a good clean. The front 2 are sparkling like new, but i did notice some corrosion (would expect better from BBS). Anyway, i loosened all the nuts on the rear passenger side, jacked it up, removed the nuts, and NO....the wheel would not budge. I couldn't shift the thing by pulling it.

I resorted to kicking it which was no good, then decided to lower the jack slowly so the weight of the car would be on the wheel (not a smart idea but i was gettin very annoyed) this still didn't work.

In the end, i decided to leave the rear ones so they look well dirty compared to the front.

Any of you got any ideas of how to get them off? Somebody recommended using WD40, would this be a wise idea?

[rooboy]

I took my alloys off on Saturday to give them a good clean. The front 2 are sparkling like new, but i did notice some corrosion (would expect better from BBS). Anyway, i loosened all the nuts on the rear passenger side, jacked it up, removed the nuts, and NO....the wheel would not budge. I couldn't shift the thing by pulling it.

I resorted to kicking it which was no good, then decided to lower the jack slowly so the weight of the car would be on the wheel (not a smart idea but i was gettin very annoyed) this still didn't work.

In the end, i decided to leave the rear ones so they look well dirty compared to the front.

Any of you got any ideas of how to get them off? Somebody recommended using WD40, would this be a wise idea?

If in doubt, Give it a clout.

This did not work, so take it to the dealers and get them to remove the wheel and grease the hub as it happens where the alloy wheel touches the steel hub and corrodes. I've had this on my Fabia and that is the easiest way, although it is not good watching the whack 7 shades of s**t out of the wheel.

[Si_GTi]

I've heard about and seen a few adverts for something called 'Muc-Off' for cleaning alloys, supposed to be the business. Found the website here. This link is for the 1ltr version although there is a 5ltr one for those of us that are made of money, lol...

Has anyone used this stuff? Seems like a good buy, its not acid-based for a start!

btw can you tell I don't get a great deal of work done in the afternoons..?

[jimmadee]

Is washing the alloys every couple of weeks essential? , I noted in the manual that it is recomended.

I've had my gti a few weeks and noticed some brake dust marks, is it just to make them look good - or will build up become harmful to their condition over time?

Went looking for an alloy cleaner , most of them seem to contain acid, will stick to the car shampoo for now

[bstardchild]

I resorted to kicking it which was no good, then decided to lower the jack slowly so the weight of the car would be on the wheel (not a smart idea but i was gettin very annoyed) this still didn't work.

In the end, i decided to leave the rear ones so they look well dirty compared to the front.

Any of you got any ideas of how to get them off? Somebody recommended using WD40, would this be a wise idea?

Yes

Jack the car up support the chassis next to the wheel you want to remove with a solid good quality axle stand

Remove all the wheel bolts cept one at the top - loosen that maybe 4 turns max

Lie on you back with you feet pointing at the ouside edge wheel and kick one side then the other - I know you think you should kick it from underneath the car but trust me that would be dangerous and it won't work

Big kicks - she'll break free and leaving that one bolt in means it won't drop of and land on the face of the alloy

Use copper ease to stop it happening again on the contact points where wheel meets hub and disc face

[M@Turner]

Sorted it now chaps. When i had my Toyo's fitted the guy had to take the alloy off. He used some sort of mallet to hit it with!!!!

Every time i take my alloys off now, i make sure the hub is clean then re-coat with some copper grease.

Mat

[andyg]

I try and clean my polo once a week, i clean the alloys and i dont have any baked on brake dust, i dont even need a brush, just a sponge. Just make sure u wash the alloys once a week, doesnt even matter if you wash the rest of the car or not.

[moynas]

There is only one wheel cleaner in my eyes and that is megiurs hot wheels, VERY good stuff! spray on and rinse of awesome cleanin power!

Sounds silly but with split rims the water left behind in between each part courses the corrosion! loads of water comes out even if you dry dry dry, you'll never get rid of the water!! so do the test get a hair dryer or air gun and blow between the spokes and rims and see how much water comes out!! you'll be surprised!!

[morrismen]

Know what you mean by the lacquer peeling... I noticed the lacquer on mine was coming off the split rims and where it is the metal is corroding. The wheels themselves are still god though. I guess I'll have to wet and dry them soon and get all the useless lacquer off them soon.

[vinau_uk]

Talking about the standard wheels, mine is getting really grim. got corrosion all round now. How did u guys manage to get a new set from the dealers? is it suppose to be under the warrenty??
Please advise. Thanks,