Cleaning wheel barrels
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Ideals are peaceful...History is violent...St.Charles, MO.
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'12 thru'22
I recommend Adam's product's as they do a great job. They have wheel barrel brushes in different lengths and their wheel cleaner works very effectively. I use these on my CCW wheels with great success and in quick fashion.
http://www.adamspolishes.com/
http://www.adamspolishes.com/
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,789
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From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
I've never used anything to clean my barrels or wheels except microfiber towels dampened with water. Even though I have C6 Z06 rotors and calipers, I can pretty much get my hand between the spokes on the rear wheels to wipe down the barrels. The front ones are impossible with the wheels on. I wipe down my wheels every time that I drive my car. I pulled all of my wheels off yesterday and cleaned them and my calipers. 
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Here
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DevilDog...I wish I had that kinda time 
I do however pull the wheels and give everything a good cleaning but I can't commit to everytime I drive
your Vette does look damn nice though
I do however pull the wheels and give everything a good cleaning but I can't commit to everytime I drive your Vette does look damn nice though
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
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Race Director
Joined: May 2012
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
I pull my wheels about once a week. Working in the shade, I use Meguiar's Crystal car wash with water to scrub the tires to remove the old tire shine, wash down the wheel, and immediately spray with clean water. I dry them with a microfiber towel, apply wax and new tire shine, and remount on the car. I do one at a time to make sure I don't get any water spots. While the wheels are off I also clean the fender wells and all of the suspension/drivetrain parts that I can reach using Meguiar's detail spray and a clean microfiber towel.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: GRAYSLAKE IL
Oldtimer
St. Jude Donor '13
ACE TurboStick www.ACEturbostick.com Use w/cordless drill...Get large size...Too lazy to take my wheels off...
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,671
Likes: 1,245
From: Southern Ca
I've never used anything to clean my barrels or wheels except microfiber towels dampened with water. Even though I have C6 Z06 rotors and calipers, I can pretty much get my hand between the spokes on the rear wheels to wipe down the barrels. The front ones are impossible with the wheels on. I wipe down my wheels every time that I drive my car. I pulled all of my wheels off yesterday and cleaned them and my calipers.
I do the same thing
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: OH & IN
I second the Sonax recommendation. You won't find a better wheel cleaner. If you really want to be OCD, remove the wheels, clean the barrels spotless, and then coat them with the 22ple for wheels. Water is all I need to clean mine these days...nothing sticks to the 22ple and brake dust is much less obvious.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 372
Likes: 2
From: lancaster pa
Sonax is nice but pretty pricey and overkill for maintained wheels. It's far easier to keep wheels clean than to bring them back from neglect. Sonax makes short work on seriously neglected wheels though
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Red city in deep blue Oregon
St. Jude Donor '17
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For stock wheels, they are clearcoated so soap and water usually will keep them clean and looking good. If they have some grease, etc. on them, some bug and tar remover or just some good wax will take that off. And I agree it is easy to keep them looking good if you have a regular cleaning schedule set up.
