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wheel cleaning help !

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Old Jul 8, 2014 | 03:45 PM
  #1  
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Default wheel cleaning help !

I know since I retired I've gotten lazy. But I just don't have the desire to get down and clean every nook and cranny on my chrome wheels. I know I know I know. So, do they make a spray-on product for this? That would make it easier. Would appreciate your input. About the product, not about me being lazy. lol
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Old Jul 8, 2014 | 03:51 PM
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I don't know of any product that is "spray and walk away". No matter what product you use, you're going to have to rinse if off and then dry.

The easiest method I've found is just a light spray of glass cleaner and dry with a m/f towel.
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Old Jul 8, 2014 | 04:05 PM
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I use a wheel brush and spend about a minute to do all 4 wheels, then dry with the rest of the car.

My new washing technique seems to work out real well. I wash my car at the coin-op down the street. It's a $2 minimum wash, I do the whole car for $4 and it looks amazing.

First $2, rinse the whole car, then switch to foam brush and go over the whole car until time runs out. Break out my wheel brush, get the wheels, the fender vents, the door handles, rear nooks and crannies, front nooks and crannies, then the exhaust tips are last.

Put in another $2, rinse the car, make sure I didn't miss anything, pop the hood, a quick rinse of the engine bay, then dry.

I used to spend at least $5 trying to get the whole car in one shot and I always ended up missing something, especially the wheels. This way I can take my time getting the brakes and around the license plate and all that jazz.

This stuff might be what you are looking for:



This is the brush I use:


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Old Jul 8, 2014 | 04:16 PM
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Instead of wipe drying every nook & cranny, use an electric lawn & leaf blower to BLOW the water away. Also works great around emblems, tail lights, mirrors & door handles.
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Old Jul 8, 2014 | 04:59 PM
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I spin dry my chrome wheels, while driving away from the coin wash.

I always use the distilled rinse liberally to remove the suds. Once in a while , I do have to detail the tight places. I find a scenic area with tall curbs for a seat and bite the bullet. People come by and say I must love my car. It's a pretty car, but not an object of love. To me, it's a required task, like eating my vegetables, something that must be done for correct function. But I like vegetables, and don't like to polish wheels.

The no touch chrome only wheel products are usually a mild acid, if acid waste is an issue in your wash area.

I use the old chrome cleaner, the thick white stuff . It is better on correcting neglect than a spray.
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Old Jul 8, 2014 | 05:00 PM
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Mr. Moto motorcycle wash works wonders.
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Old Jul 8, 2014 | 06:17 PM
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I like the spin dry option I could live with that.
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Old Jul 8, 2014 | 09:00 PM
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I like the spin dry option too. I usually just wind up kneeling down and washing them.

Another option is to not get them dirty. Although I haven't tried it I have heard a couple good reviews for Armor All Wheel Protectant. It is supposed to keep them cleaner. If you try it let us know what you think.
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Old Jul 8, 2014 | 09:04 PM
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Once you get your wheels back to squeaky clean, take an extra hour and treat them with Rejex. Cleaning your wheels will become MUCH easier after that.
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Old Jul 8, 2014 | 09:10 PM
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Sounds like the easiest for you would be for you to just hit up the ATM and pay a neighborhood kid $5 a wheel...
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Old Jul 8, 2014 | 10:56 PM
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If you want them to look good for a long time, it will take some work to keep them clean. I use a self serve car wash and then I drive the car home. By that time the wheels have pretty much dried and I just use an Absorber to finish wiping them down. Takes just a couple of minutes per wheel. I also keep a good coat of wax on the wheels to help protect them.
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