carl0s Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 I need help with Alloy Wheel cleaners. I have used Wonder Wheels Hydochloric Acid wheel cleaner on my new Volk GT-AVs, and it is damaging the polished dish area on the rears. I should have read the label which says "Not suitable for: fucking anything". I tried cleaning the other rear wheel with just a jumbo sponge and some car shampoo, but the grime wouldn't move. Two questions: What product is recommended for cleaning them normally? How best can I restore the damaged dish - it's only a very slight whitening of the surface, but it looks disappointing. cheers, Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 If it's whitening then it means it's got under the lacquer finish. I don't think theres anything you can do about this except get it refurbished. The majority of wheel cleaners are acidic. And ordinary washing up liquid has a high salt content as well so I can't really answer as to what is best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prof. Monkey Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 Why would they put HCl in wheel cleaner, FFS. Chances are that the acid has etched the laquer. Sadly it is not a reversible reaction I suspect. However, can you get some laquer restorer? That will cover up the descepancy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 White spirit and a paintbrush is good for removing grime and recent brake dust. It won't cut through months of brake dust build up but is doesn't damage the finish either. If you clean your wheels every couple of weeks it works great. It's dirt cheap too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 oooo ouch, hydrochloric can be strong stuff, ok for plain old alloy finishes but even then you shouldn't leave it on there long. I use meguires hot rims stuff http://www.meguiars.com/whatsnew/wheelproducts06.cfm tbh once you get them clean, a regular wash with just the shampoo from washing the car seems to do the job. Probably depends how many miles you do and how hard you drive though, not sure about fixing the finish, is it chrome or paint? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted April 12, 2006 Author Share Posted April 12, 2006 It's really very very little damage, but the finish doesn't look like a mirror.. perhaps there's still some shampoo on there too. As far as I can tell, there is no laquer on them.. they're polished metal, I presume? (I better wait for some feedback here.. I was just walking out with some Autoglym metal polish..) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 Hi, try asking here too:- http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/ They are mad for it with regards to cleaning vehicles! Some good advice on there too. From what i understand clay treatment is good for removing brake dust, its originally designed for taking toxins etc away from your paintwork i think but apparantly works well on wheels. Ive just ordered the meguiars quick clay system, not sure what its like tho! http://www.cleanandshiny.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductID=9057 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 well after using the hot wheels to remove grime, I use that autosol chrome polish stuff to impart a shine and shampoo to keep them clean, but you need to be sure you haven't got a laquer on them before atacking them with metal polish lol - surely the spec says exactly how they are finished? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JODY T Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 1 Month old! ide take em back.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gzaerojon Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 "Not suitable for: fucking anything". i have this with my volk wheels, everythings good on then aparts from i cant clean then, they just look stained with dirt all the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted April 12, 2006 Author Share Posted April 12, 2006 1 Month old! ide take em back.. Dude, they're Volks these are decent quality! It's the frickin' acid based cleaner which is damaging the surface. Metal polish will get it out I'm sure, but I wanted feedback I'll post a pic in a sec.. they're wet again and the whiteness only shows as they're drying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted April 12, 2006 Author Share Posted April 12, 2006 white spirit sounds like the ticket so far.. what about rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA))? Tends to have similar uses to spirits.. or meguires.. I'll read the label on that stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 I do vagley remember if you leave hydro on raw alloy for too long it leaves a dark, stained finish and possibly even some white oxidisation. If they are raw alloy, you can happily polish this out though... I've even resorted to using a scotchbright pad to remove any staining before polishing up to a lovely finish (on older wheels) but check your finish first lol - really shouldn't be needed anything that abrasive for such new wheels but the acid has probably etched/stained them now, get them clean and use something more mild for regular maintenance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted April 12, 2006 Author Share Posted April 12, 2006 This is what I'm seeing.. now, perhaps it's just grime that I haven't managed to clean off.. There are some photos of the fronts for comparison.. these didn't need much cleaning, but they have also had the same acid based cleaner on them too, and strangely look ok. I'll wait on the polishing for now, it's dark out, and there's a long weekend ahead. http://www.uk2sucks.net/badrims/1.JPG http://www.uk2sucks.net/badrims/2.JPG http://www.uk2sucks.net/badrims/3.JPG http://www.uk2sucks.net/badrims/4.JPG http://www.uk2sucks.net/badrims/5.JPG http://www.uk2sucks.net/badrims/6.JPG http://www.uk2sucks.net/badrims/7.JPG http://www.uk2sucks.net/badrims/8.JPG http://www.uk2sucks.net/badrims/9.JPG http://www.uk2sucks.net/badrims/10.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted April 12, 2006 Author Share Posted April 12, 2006 Hi, try asking here too:- http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/ hmmm, a forum dedicated to car cleaning. Awesome. Car cleaning is one of my most troubling things, and causes me much distress and frustration. I'll have a read over there - thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 hmmm, a forum dedicated to car cleaning. Awesome. Car cleaning is one of my most troubling things, and causes me much distress and frustration. I'll have a read over there - thanks No prob. Id stay clear tho if you dont want to spend more money, i tell you ive just spent a fortune purely because ive been reading that forum the past week, just bought a load of meguiars products and a porter cable orbital buffer. Youve been warned Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibrar Jabbar Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 From the pictures it looks as if the acid has etched into the anodised finish, so may not be reversible. I get great results by using Silvo (available from Tesco's etc) on bare aluminium, you could try that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixelfill Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 What no Emma sticking the boot in, giving unhelpful comments ? How are you Carl0s. was hoping to catch up with you at Mascrat to see your lovely new Volks, but alas, you didn't appear, and it seems that you are having problems with keeping them clean. Hope you get it sorted mate Mascrat next month? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian C Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 I just went through exactly this Wonder Wheels for the lose. It works great on lacquered rims but when you get new outer sections made up that are anodised instead and blindly use it again it eats them. I got the outer rims repolished and ceramic coated, as re-anodising them would have brought up the corrosion pattern. It may work, it may not. If the corrosion comes back them it's bin the outer rims and get new ones time. Not good. -Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted April 12, 2006 Author Share Posted April 12, 2006 I just went through exactly this Wonder Wheels for the lose. It works great on lacquered rims but when you get new outer sections made up that are anodised instead and blindly use it again it eats them. I got the outer rims repolished and ceramic coated, as re-anodising them would have brought up the corrosion pattern. It may work, it may not. If the corrosion comes back them it's bin the outer rims and get new ones time. Not good. -Ian Surely I'll be able to polish them ? Mucho hard worko but still.. .. no? I think I'll take the rim apart and have a go. It's not likely to buckle or anything if I take the centre peice out is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted April 12, 2006 Author Share Posted April 12, 2006 What no Emma sticking the boot in, giving unhelpful comments ? ssh. she'll hear you! How are you Carl0s. was hoping to catch up with you at Mascrat to see your lovely new Volks, but alas, you didn't appear, and it seems that you are having problems with keeping them clean. Hope you get it sorted mate Mascrat next month? Mike Yep I'll be there. I saw a guy from Bowdon called Gavin on Monday.. don't know the chap but he waved me over and said he was going up there.. I'd forgotten and still had work to do though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixelfill Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 ssh. she'll hear you! Ooops sorry Yep I'll be there. I saw a guy from Bowdon called Gavin on Monday.. don't know the chap but he waved me over and said he was going up there.. I'd forgotten and still had work to do though Will be good to see you again, hopefully with pristine rims - fingers crossed. over ... Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted April 12, 2006 Author Share Posted April 12, 2006 Ooops sorry Will be good to see you again, hopefully with pristine rims - fingers crossed. over ... Mike Yep.. if it's sunny and dry tomorrow, I'm not waiting for the weekend.. wheels are coming off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkirby Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 the guy that did all my alloy refurbing says to use wax that you wash your car with?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted April 12, 2006 Author Share Posted April 12, 2006 the guy that did all my alloy refurbing says to use wax that you wash your car with?? Do you think he means to prevent further damage and make them easier to clean, or to tidy them up now that they're etched/damaged? I've just been reading about waxing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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