cleaning wheels: what works
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 43
From: Vernon CT
cleaning wheels: what works
I have an 86 with aluminum Elite rims. The rims are dirty and washing with soap and water does nothing. In fact any cleaner Ive used doesn't work. All those spray-on wheel cleaners do NOTHING.
The rims are not coated. The grim is really building up and no elbow-grease will clean them. Tried Simple Green, Scrubbing Bubbles, Degreaser, and all the obvious soaps and cleaners including (as I mentioned) all those "wheel cleaners".
Any ideas>?
The rims are not coated. The grim is really building up and no elbow-grease will clean them. Tried Simple Green, Scrubbing Bubbles, Degreaser, and all the obvious soaps and cleaners including (as I mentioned) all those "wheel cleaners".
Any ideas>?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
If your rims are not coated, have you tired MOTHER's ALUMINUM POLISH? This polish does not have to be rubbed hard and will clean up most aluminum. I took paint thinner and lacquer thinner to cleaned off the aluminum "A" arms that had grease, undercoating and road dirt built up over years. Then rubbed it all down with Mother's and it was like chrome.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,590
Likes: 48
From: W MI
I always had luck with Etching Mag Cleaner by Eagle One on wheels like that(assuming uncoated). If that doesn't work, I'd move up the scale and see what acids people are using on pontoon boats to get them nice again.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Florida
I have had great luck with this product on my exhaust tips. At one time they were covered with carbon build-up that I coud not remove. I tried EVERYTHING. This stuff took the carbon build-up off. It took some elbow grease, but now they look great. It should work on your wheels if they are not clear coated. It may pull the clear coat off. This is the before pic of my exhaust tips. They came out looking new after I cleand them with the above product.
