Cleaning the wheels
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Louisville Kentucky
Cleaning the wheels
This week I am taking all the wheels off my 98 vette to clean the barrels. Is there anything I should do special while the wheels are off? Is there a special way to take the wheels off?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 17
From: Lee's Summit MO
If you're jacking the car up using the locations under the rocker panels, be sure to use jacking pucks. They will prevent accidental slippage of the body off the jack and body damage. Also, if you lift the car on the front jacking location, both front and rear on that side will come off the ground at the same time. (be sure to set the parking brake and use wheel chocks on the opposite side of the car).
As long as the wheels are off, use a good wax or sealant like "Wheel Wax" or Zaino Z2Pro or Clearseal on the inner wheel barrels.
Wheels are off right? Go ahead and clean the springs, shocks, wheelwells. (A little ****, but it's a good time to do it and it just takes a few minutes per wheel.)
PS... Jackstands are always a good idea.
As long as the wheels are off, use a good wax or sealant like "Wheel Wax" or Zaino Z2Pro or Clearseal on the inner wheel barrels.
Wheels are off right? Go ahead and clean the springs, shocks, wheelwells. (A little ****, but it's a good time to do it and it just takes a few minutes per wheel.)
PS... Jackstands are always a good idea.
Last edited by Luster; Nov 20, 2009 at 11:29 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Remember that the wheels are clearcoated ( painted) the best way to keep them looking new is to treat them like the painted surfaces.
But if they have gone too long without cleaning, you may need to step up the cleansing.
Use a 3 parts water, 1 part solution of Simple Green.. spray on the cool wheels and let sit for 5 minutes. Then brush with a wheel bruch and rinse throughly.
If you have some tar, old wheel weights etc, you can use mineral spirits to soften and remove.
But if they have gone too long without cleaning, you may need to step up the cleansing.
Use a 3 parts water, 1 part solution of Simple Green.. spray on the cool wheels and let sit for 5 minutes. Then brush with a wheel bruch and rinse throughly.
If you have some tar, old wheel weights etc, you can use mineral spirits to soften and remove.
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Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 515
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From: Mississauga Ontario
I use a drill with a Mother's polishing ball and the appropriate polish to shine mine up. I take the opportunity to clean the wells thoroughly as well.
Help! I can't see!!
Help! I can't see!!
Last edited by Blu Angel; Nov 21, 2009 at 07:36 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: South Florida FL
WOW patches, that is clean.
Could you please post your products used and procedure for getting your wheel wells that clean and what you dressed it with? Also, what kind of wax are you using on your paint? That TR vette SHINES.
Kevin
Could you please post your products used and procedure for getting your wheel wells that clean and what you dressed it with? Also, what kind of wax are you using on your paint? That TR vette SHINES.
Kevin
Last edited by Kevin993; Nov 21, 2009 at 07:57 PM.
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Patches - those wheels look simply amazing - what a shine. And the wheel wells look like you could eat off them. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 31
From: Little Egg Harbor N.J.
How often do you guys remove your wheels to get everything all cleaned up? Is it once the weather starts to warm up or is it twice per year? Just wondering how frequently this should be done in order to keep the car looking it's best.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5,280
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From: PALM COAST Flordia
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
The shine is compliments of Zaino just like in this thread.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...torch-red.html
That's actually a motorcycle jack I found online. Not really rated for this but I always support the car immediately upon jacking it.
