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Car Forum / BMW Cars / February 2007Cleaning alloy wheels
My BMW 530i is fitted with the original standard alloys which have now become badly ingrained with brake dust etc which will not come off with brush, sponge, power water jet etc. I purchased some CarPlan 'Wonderwheels' and read the instructions which say (amongst other things): "This product is not suitable for use on the following surface types: unlaquered, forged, anodised, chrome plated, polished" This seems to cover most surface types!! Does anyone know what surface type my original standard BMW alloys might have? and whether 'WonderWheels' might damage them? ('WonderWheels' is alleged to contain hydrochloric acid). Has anyone got alternative suggestions for cleaning these wheels? > My BMW 530i is fitted with the original standard alloys which have now > become badly ingrained with brake dust etc which will not come off with > brush, sponge, power water jet etc. Your wheels are lacquered - so you should be OK. Most proprietary alloy wheel cleaners are useless though at the job they are sold for, you need to buy one that contains phosphoric acid or similar (often these are sold as atomisers). You must clean wheels regularly and remove all traces of dirt or (depending on where you live) they will soon become beyond any quick clean up. Not many folks like sitting by a wheel with a toothbrush but that's often what it takes. Also, every time that you take a wheel off you should thoroughly clean the inside whilst you have the chance. >> My BMW 530i is fitted with the original standard alloys which have now >> become badly ingrained with brake dust etc which will not come off with [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > should > thoroughly clean the inside whilst you have the chance. And wax them as well, makes them easier to clean next time.  SignatureDan > And wax them as well, makes them easier to clean next time. Wipe them with cooking oil, I was told. SignatureRegards, Vince. www.TruckDrivingInRussia.co.uk >My BMW 530i is fitted with the original standard alloys which have now >become badly ingrained with brake dust etc which will not come off with [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > >Has anyone got alternative suggestions for cleaning these wheels? Dilute hydrochloric Acid - talk to your local pharmacist or better still ask your kids science teacher at school the Science dept carry gallons of the stuff. You can mix a bit of Sugar soap or washing up liquid with it and get a stiff brush. Use an old kitchen cleaner spray bottle and spray the solution on the wheels then wait about 10 mins and scrub. then wash off. Better to remove the wheel and really SCRAPE the stuck on brake dust on the inside of the wheel then spray the inner wheel and scrub then turn it over and do the same to the outside. Be careful with the HCL as it is corrosive in concentrated form and can play havoc with dogs and cats feet let alone your own skin if hypersensitive. If you use the expensive wheel cleaners you will find they use diluted HCL Sir Hugh of Bognor The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it! Hugh Gundersen hsg@h-gee.co.uk Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK > Dilute hydrochloric Acid - talk to your local pharmacist or better still > ask > your kids science teacher at school the Science dept carry gallons of the > stuff. In my experience, pharmacists will not sell Hydrochloric Acid, but old-fashioned hardware shops of the type where the proprieter wears a brown coat will. It is sold as "Spirit of Salts" at 35% concentration and is generally used as a toilet descaler and to clean brickwork. Never heard of it used to clean alloy wheels. I suppose it is feasible but wouldn't it damage the lacquer? SignatureRegards, Vince. www.TruckDrivingInRussia.co.uk [snip] >In my experience, pharmacists will not sell Hydrochloric Acid, but >old-fashioned hardware shops of the type where the proprieter wears a >brown coat will. Can't help but get an image of Ronnie Barker in "Open all hours" wearing a brown coat ;) >It is sold as "Spirit of Salts" at 35% concentration and is generally used >as a toilet descaler and to clean brickwork. > >Never heard of it used to clean alloy wheels. I suppose it is feasible but >wouldn't it damage the lacquer? Hydrochloric Acid in a *diluted* form (as it is in cleanses etc) will not harm factory baked lacquer. I tried all kinds of chemical and solvent cleaners to remove the baked on brake dust from my lacquered Escort alloy wheels to no avail, I found the only product that removed it easily and quickly was a rubbing down compound like Farecla G3. Stephen. Signaturehttp://www.stephen.hull.btinternet.co.uk Coach painting tips and techniques + Land Rover colour codes Using a British RISC Operating System 100% immune to any Windows virus. "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble". Henry Royce >If you use the expensive wheel cleaners you will find they use diluted HCL Except those that use sodium hydroxide. ("P21S" iirc). SignatureNeed Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org 1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net Why not use sulfuric or fluorhydric with, in addition, sand paper plus a chisel and a hammer ????????? HCl etches the aluminum. Don't use it at all, even in a very diluted solution. If your rims are bolted, the risk is not negligeable because the acid might remain within the small intervals or below the bolt heads. It will ruin slowly and slyly the metal the rims are made of. Dedicated cleaners, recommended by BMW wouldn't hurt your rims as far you are quick enough. The rest of the job being done with elbow grease ! I never used such agents on my Z3 rims. They're 5-year old. No deposit, no dust. A regular washing with the BMW Wash'n Wax plus a quarterly waxing perfectly did the job. Now you're aware of the old wives' remedies. It's up to you to prefer playing Russian roulette ! [...] > >This seems to cover most surface types!! Does anyone know what surface type > >my original standard BMW alloys might have? and whether 'WonderWheels' might [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Dilute hydrochloric Acid - talk to your local pharmacist or better still ask > your kids science teacher at school the Science dept carry gallons of the stuff. [...] >Why not use sulfuric or fluorhydric with, in addition, sand paper plus a >chisel and a hammer ????????? >HCl etches the aluminum. We know that but BMW wheels - don't know what other crap we are talking about as this is x-posted to Merc and others - are lacquered so no aluminium to corrode unless you are in the habit of kerbing your wheels... >Don't use it at all, even in a very diluted solution. If your rims are >bolted, the risk is not negligeable because the acid might remain within the >small intervals or below the bolt heads. It will ruin slowly and slyly the >metal the rims are made of. Agree >Dedicated cleaners, recommended by BMW wouldn't hurt your rims as far you >are quick enough. The rest of the job being done with elbow grease ! > >I never used such agents on my Z3 rims. They're 5-year old. No deposit, no >dust. A regular washing with the BMW Wash'n Wax plus a quarterly waxing >perfectly did the job. Yes SIR! But arse-holes like me that use their cars for transport instead of art objects DON'T do the spit and polish daily routine......... >Now you're aware of the old wives' remedies. It's up to you to prefer >playing Russian roulette ! Some folk win some folk lose but if you know the rules you can always win. Russian Roulette --- must be played with a six chamer revolver. Ratchet disconnected and held with the barrel horizontal to the floor and the trigger guard pointing to the ground (normal use position.) - the single bullit will always fall to the lowest point therefore whether it be a colt or Smith&Wesson (righ or left index) the next trigger pull will always be empty. Be careful there are other variations on this and some folk play with all six chambers full-? >[...] > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >> >[...] Sir Hugh of Bognor The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it! Hugh Gundersen hsg@h-gee.co.uk Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK Personally I prefer playing with the six chambers _empty_ ! The reason I replied :-)) Bye > >Why not use sulfuric or fluorhydric with, in addition, sand paper plus a > >chisel and a hammer ????????? [quoted text clipped - 60 lines] > hsg@h-gee.co.uk > Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK Try Rimjuice www.rimjuice.com I have used it for a year and it works really well. You may need several treatments if the rims are really bad. Malcolm H wrote on 03/02/2007 : > My BMW 530i is fitted with the original standard alloys which have now become > badly ingrained with brake dust etc which will not come off with brush, > sponge, power water jet etc. > I purchased some CarPlan 'Wonderwheels' and read the instructions which say > (amongst other things): > "This product is not suitable for use on the following surface types: > unlaquered, forged, anodised, chrome plated, polished" > This seems to cover most surface types!! Does anyone know what surface type > my original standard BMW alloys might have? and whether 'WonderWheels' might > damage them? ('WonderWheels' is alleged to contain hydrochloric acid). > Has anyone got alternative suggestions for cleaning these wheels? The stuff sold by the 5L container for cleaning the external parts of air conditioning systems is suggested to work well and is cheap. SignatureRegards, Harry (M1BYT) (L) http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk > My BMW 530i is fitted with the original standard alloys which have now > become badly ingrained with brake dust etc which will not come off with [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Has anyone got alternative suggestions for cleaning these wheels? "Wonderwheels" will work, clean as much off as poss. first, follow instructions on box. Then... clean again, I use a citrus degreaser with a 1/2" paintbrush with the bristles cut to half original length. Then claybar, then polish with normal car polish then wax, you can get wheel wax but I just use normal stuff. In theory they should come up like new. In practice you might have to repeat several steps to get all the welded on brake dust off. Worst part of a car to clean by far! Many thanks for all your good advice guys, very helpful indeed! Malcolm > My BMW 530i is fitted with the original standard alloys which have now > become badly ingrained with brake dust etc which will not come off with [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Has anyone got alternative suggestions for cleaning these wheels? Visit www.detailingworld.co.uk The best way to keep wheels good is to stay on top of a regular cleaning regime, use a session of WW then a strong TFR , some soiling will diminish in acid solutions some in alkali, however you will then have to avert to a brush, once clean cover the wheels with autoglym wheel shine and they will be easier to clean after that. It's probably worth waiting until the warmer weather now and taking the wheels off to clean them. >> My BMW 530i is fitted with the original standard alloys which have now >> become badly ingrained with brake dust etc which will not come off with [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] >It's probably worth waiting until the warmer weather now and taking the >wheels off to clean them. Martin you already said it "UN LACQUERED" BMW wheels are lacquered Sir Hugh of Bognor The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it! Hugh Gundersen hsg@h-gee.co.uk Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK I used a product called BARKEEPERS FRIEND. It is a powder that you sprinkle on, like Comet, and it cleans stainless steel cookware and kitchen appliances. It is not a chlorine based product, like Comet is, but you apply and use it in a similar way. My brother and I used some to clean the wheels on his truck that had become encrusted with brake dust. > My BMW 530i is fitted with the original standard alloys which have now > become badly ingrained with brake dust etc which will not come off with [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Has anyone got alternative suggestions for cleaning these wheels? and the result was = no brake dust and no wheels... >I used a product called BARKEEPERS FRIEND. It is a powder that you sprinkle >on, like Comet, and it cleans stainless steel cookware and kitchen [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] >> >> Has anyone got alternative suggestions for cleaning these wheels? ??? The result was clean wheels. I thought that was pretty clear. > and the result was = no brake dust and no wheels... > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] >>> >>> Has anyone got alternative suggestions for cleaning these wheels? >> and the result was = no brake dust and no wheels... > The result was clean wheels. I thought that was pretty clear. Reply properly. I think the poster was insinuating that it would damage the tyre compound, if the liquid came into contact. Which, it will when the car is driven;you can't clear the liquid off entirely. >>> and the result was = no brake dust and no wheels... >> The result was clean wheels. I thought that was pretty clear. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >if the liquid came into contact. Which, it will when the car is driven;you >can't clear the liquid off entirely. Actually guys there has been some recent investigation into reasons that some tyres deflate or blow out when tubeless tyres were supposed to stop blow outs. The research has found out that the increasing use of high pressure cleaning equipment and the solvents used - one is typically TFR (Traffic Film Remover) will damage the fabric (poly rubber) of the tyre especially on the sidewall and the seating on the wheel. Small holes will appear and spread down the alloy seating causing leakage and eventually soft tyres that overheat and blow out through damage caused by the high pressure water jets. Advice do not use pressures over 1100psi on tyres and keep water jet @ least 12" away from tyres and rim edges. Still say you can't beat elbow grease............. However - the guy that suggested Phosphoric Acid ------- you can buy it at a "chemist" (UK) & Sign the poisons book or buy a product called "Aluminium Jelly" (Made by the makers of "Navel Jelly for iron and steel) Phosphoric Acid will dissolve and remove the Aluminium Oxide layer that forms as a protective coating on aluminium leaving the surface smooth but dull and bright. However, most wheels contain quite a lot of silicon to prevent corrosion and are lacquered to stop this corrosion so the Phosphoric Acid route is only good for un lacquered wheels. Sir Hugh of Bognor The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it! Hugh Gundersen hsg@h-gee.co.uk Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK The message <nvpds293qbr8jomesq5640egeoc0672dvl@4ax.com> from hsg@h-gee.co.uk contains these words: > the makers of "Navel Jelly... I can make that myself, thanks - with a little help from the wife on occasion. SignatureSkipweasel Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. >The message <nvpds293qbr8jomesq5640egeoc0672dvl@4ax.com> >from hsg@h-gee.co.uk contains these words: > >> the makers of "Navel Jelly... > >I can make that myself, thanks - with a little help from the wife on occasion. Should be Naval effin spelchecker--------- Sir Hugh of Bognor The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it! Hugh Gundersen hsg@h-gee.co.uk Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK The implication is you're using an abrasive compound on your wheels, which eventually will remove any lacquer finish, exposing raw metal to the elements, which in turn will lead to irreparable corrosion... >??? > [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] >>>> >>>> Has anyone got alternative suggestions for cleaning these wheels? > My BMW 530i is fitted with the original standard alloys which have now > become badly ingrained with brake dust etc which will not come off with [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Has anyone got alternative suggestions for cleaning these wheels? Why not just leave them dirty? >> My BMW 530i is fitted with the original standard alloys which have now >> become badly ingrained with brake dust etc which will not come off with [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > >Why not just leave them dirty? So do I ---- 2 years since washed my E38 740i an then only for my mum's funeral on Jan 16th Sir Hugh of Bognor The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it! Hugh Gundersen hsg@h-gee.co.uk Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK |
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