Wheel Clay Bar Project

[twissler]

I got a set of 18" Horseshoe alloys last week and after cleaning them up found some major tar build up.



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So I ordered myself some Megs mild clay (should have got the aggresive stuff but at least with the mild I can use it on the bodywork aswell) from cleanyourcar.co.uk. First off I tried some AG Tar remover, but it didn't even make a dent in it some I started with the clay.

And the results!
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Mine were in a way more shocking state than those corners when I left the car off!


Clay is the stuff. I was using it to get rid of UK road residue from my windscreen last night.
(Both good uses for a "used" piece of clay, BTW. )

[twissler]

It doesn't look that bad but that stuff was baked on. It took me 2 hours to do one wheel. Don't forget i'd already done the whole wheel with Tar remover to little avail.

Still, it's amazing what a bit of fancy blue tac can do.

[tomfromtelford]

Good tip I know what I'm doing in the spring

[GIZTO29]

After a recent new road surface was laid on my route to work i am suffering the same for the 1st time. Billbery hasnt touched the tar and im gonna have to do the same. Auto Smart Tardis is supposedly the daddy of the tar removal products as far as i can gather. Its ridiculous how this process can take so long isnt it. I always have had my wheels looking brand new until now.

[twissler]

Keeping the wheels sealed helps massively. The wheels on my car haven't got any tar on whatsoever. The wheels in this post are 2nd hand so I don't expect to have to do this again once I get them polished and sealed.

[Squadrone Rosso]

The wheels on the GT need a claying but it can wait until the spring.

Where does all the tar come from at this time of year

[Stori]

I keep my used Clay bars for use on Wheels etc. i.e. when I think that it is contaminated enough from cleaning the Body paint, I put aside for use on shuch things as wheels .

[Ralf S.]

I don't think it is tar, which is why tar removers aren't touching it. It's more likely carbonised bits of brake pad material.

When you jam the brakes on, the top surface of the pads get super-heated and sloughed off by the friction... fly outwards and land, still baking hot, onto your rims. They then embed themselves into the surface and just stick there, half-melted and half bonded to the lacquer.. They won't come off easy.

The pieces also then carry on corroding acidly.. (being metal mostly, now that asbestos has been banned) so they'll pit and stain the lacquer if you leave them there.

So.. seal the wheels as that will provide a barrier to the pieces in the first place.. and also remove any new build up regularly as it's not nice stuff.


Ralf S.

[twissler]

Originally Posted by Ralf S.

I don't think it is tar, which is why tar removers aren't touching it. It's more likely carbonised bits of brake pad material.

When you jam the brakes on, the top surface of the pads get super-heated and sloughed off by the friction... fly outwards and land, still baking hot, onto your rims. They then embed themselves into the surface and just stick there, half-melted and half bonded to the lacquer.. They won't come off easy.

The pieces also then carry on corroding acidly.. (being metal mostly, now that asbestos has been banned) so they'll pit and stain the lacquer if you leave them there.

So.. seal the wheels as that will provide a barrier to the pieces in the first place.. and also remove any new build up regularly as it's not nice stuff.


Ralf S.

Whatever it is Ralf it's horrible stuff.

[Alfa_Daryl]

I was cleaning my alloys there on the weekend, some stuff I found impossible to shift, more so on the inner rim. Never did think of using an old clay bar that I have handy. I used the poor boys wheel sealer for the first time, only on one alloy so far, I wanted to see if it makes much of a difference next time I give em a quick clean. I gave it two coats as recommended by everyone.

[David P]

Originally Posted by Alfa_Daryl

I was cleaning my alloys there on the weekend, some stuff I found impossible to shift, more so on the inner rim. Never did think of using an old clay bar that I have handy. I used the poor boys wheel sealer for the first time, only on one alloy so far, I wanted to see if it makes much of a difference next time I give em a quick clean. I gave it two coats as recommended by everyone.

You'll be impressed by the PB's wheel sealant alright, no more need for wheel cleaner ( don't use it as it will strip off the sealant ) just use your normal shampoo when cleaning

[twissler]

Originally Posted by David P

You'll be impressed by the PB's wheel sealant alright, no more need for wheel cleaner ( don't use it as it will strip off the sealant ) just use your normal shampoo when cleaning

Yep good point. Once sealed never use wheel cleaner again, unless you want to strip the sealant off to reapply.

I haven't used wheel cleaner for the last 6 months. IMO it's a waste of money.

[Alfa_Daryl]

I never used a decent brand wheel cleaner (tar remover really), but I simply stopped with the cheap ones, waste of time and money. Regular shampoo and wash and it does a decent job. Never overly picky with the alloys really as half a mile later they are dirty again.