Sorry don't think theres a quick way oy cleaning wheels Takes me just as long to clean the wheels as the rest of the car

 

I use a bristled brush - I have a paint brush and use it with 'wonder wheels' - seems to work well. Quick jet wash first, then the paintbrush - there's no quick way I'm afraid.

 

Autoglym wheel cleaning brush is at least a help. Nicely shaped and robust. Get one of the bigger halfords brushes for the general clean and the Autoglym brush for the footery bits.

 

I purchased my Brera used 6 months ago, the previous owner had paid for paint protection and the alloys had some sort of transparent waxy finish on them. They were very,very easy to clean for a few months but now that finish has worn off.

Does anybody know of a protective finish that you can apply yourself

 

Tony, there are various wax finishes available by various manufacturers. I quite like the Turtlewax Nanotech stuff.

 

Is that for the wheels?

 

I've been using 'Wonder wheels' on my cars for the last few years and it works really well. You get a soft-ish brush to apply it with. It gets through brake dust easily enough but I wouldn't want to leave it on for too long though; I always brush through the crap and then wash it off with soapy water. And don't get it in any cuts or scrapes... it hurts like hell!!! I'm planning on using it on my forthcoming horseshoes.

 

I have used wonder wheels which cleans the wheels very well. But I'm looking for a protective coating that can be applied and therefore make it even easier to keep the wheels clean.

 

Turtle wax nanotech do a wheel wax (as do others). Wash wheels, spray wax, wipe on, and you're done.

 

It hurts like hell because its basically hydrochloric acid! ouch!:lol:

 

I am not familiar with those wheels but if they are painted you can apply a sealant such as Autoglym (SRP/EPG) to help protect the paint and make cleaning much easier. There are wheel sealants for sale but I have not tried any as SRP/EGP works so well.

I dilute wheel cleaner by 50% with water as once the wheels are protected it is not necessary to use a strong cleaner

 

The nanotech stuff works quite well, but make sure you don't get it on the discs. A pressure washer also comes in handy. But as others have said there isn't really a quick way. Obviously the cleaner they are the less time it takes, so don't let them get filthy if you can avoid it. Also be methodical - work your way aound the wheel making sure you don't miss any bits. When you've done move the car half a wheel's circumfrence to check you've got all the muck off - there'll probably be bits you've missed.

 

Little tip on 'Wonder Wheels' for you all.

Save some money...as pointed out its just Hyd Chl Acid, which...is the same stuff that B&Q use for thier patio Cleaner fluid. Therefore you can get 10 gallons of the stuff for about 10 quid, you would pay about £70 for ten gallons of wonder wheels maybe more and it came from the same chemical plant...probably.

I stumbled over this when cleaning the patio last summer, I though ooh that smell reminds me of wonder wheels, then checked and realised its the same chemical.

just dont do the patio in flip flops liek I did, ouch that stuff burns.

 

Cool! I'm gonna try that when my current bottle runs out... Just hope the warranty covers the paint peeling off if it isn't quite the same:lol:

 

Cheers for the ideas, was in the local car shop at the weekend, decided to give Autoglyms wheel cleaner a go, not that cheap, but got the wheels so shiny I needed to squint when looking at them :lol:

 

PS, doesn't Hydroclhoric acid eat rubber??

I'd be a bit nervous about putting any form of acid near my tyres...

 

The advantage of a consumer wheel cleaner is that it must be safe to use and not damage any of the peripheral components.

 

I use a 'bottle brush' (ie the one to clean the kiddos bottles) to clean the wheels on mine. Works an absolute treat on the 18" horseshoe alloys. The child doesn't like the taste of brakedust on her bottle though :lol:

 

:lol: :lol: :lol:
Be careful if splashing HCl around! If too concentrated it will take the skin off your hands and keep burning until it reaches bone, which it will merrily dissolve:tut:

 

I use Fairy Power Spray - jusat spray it on once the wheels are wet while washing the car, give it a minute and jet wash off. Or for a super duper clean give them a quick hand clean while the Fairy Power is on - comes up fantastic and so easy.

 

Looking at this from a different angle ... has anyone tried fitting ceramic brake pads to their car ? The adverts for these suggest that they produce very little brake dust.