Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: raywilb on 10 January 2013, 11:32:50

Title: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: raywilb on 10 January 2013, 11:32:50
wheel cleaner -which ones are decent. (if any)  :-\
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 10 January 2013, 11:45:38
the paint on the wheel surface is an ordinary paint so dont wash them when hot , dont use hard surfaces to clean and dont use strong chemicals..  :y
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: b4ndit on 10 January 2013, 12:18:34
used wonder wheels on mine seems to do a good job :y
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: zirk on 10 January 2013, 12:30:36
the paint on the wheel surface is an ordinary paint so dont wash them when hot , dont use hard surfaces to clean and dont use strong chemicals..  :y

Agreed, assuming they still have paint on them treat them the same as bodywork, if there slightly tarnished with black brake dust, try normal T Cut or Compound followed by a good wax or polish.
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Auto Addict on 10 January 2013, 13:17:06
Wonder Wheels :y

Then a good wax polish afterwards :y
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 10 January 2013, 13:38:44
Very cherry alloy wheel cleaner, non acid unlike the others which are little more than brick acid
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: tunnie on 10 January 2013, 15:49:53
Another vote for Wonder Wheels here, brings them up well  :y
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Del Boy on 10 January 2013, 16:44:20
Another vote for Wonder Wheels here, brings them up well  :y

Agreed :y.
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Auto Addict on 10 January 2013, 17:30:09
Very cherry alloy wheel cleaner, non acid unlike the others which are little more than brick acid

I brush Wonder Wheels on, and immediately rinse off, one wheel at a time.

Haven't had a problem in 10 years.
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: albitz on 10 January 2013, 17:38:13
I found the Auto Glym stuff to be pretty good.
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: raywilb on 11 January 2013, 00:05:51
Very cherry alloy wheel cleaner, non acid unlike the others which are little more than brick acid

I brush Wonder Wheels on, and immediately rinse off, one wheel at a time.

Haven't had a problem in 10 years.
  so the vote seems to be for wonder wheels . WHICH have given it the thumbs up too,  thankyou
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Auto Addict on 11 January 2013, 07:37:43
Very cherry alloy wheel cleaner, non acid unlike the others which are little more than brick acid

I brush Wonder Wheels on, and immediately rinse off, one wheel at a time.

Haven't had a problem in 10 years.
  so the vote seems to be for wonder wheels . WHICH have given it the thumbs up too,  thankyou

Must admit, only tend to use it about once a year, mainly after the winter.
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 11 January 2013, 08:08:38
I wont use wonder wheels any more as its acidic and I have pretty much managed to prove that it was a major contributing factor to the dust sheilds on the discs becoming very corroded.

But I do spray on (dont really have do brush stuff).

The Very Cherry also removes the crudd and brake dust make easier and better than the acid products.

Bottom line is if your going down the wonder wheels route than save a few quid and buy patio cleaner and water it down.
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Auto Addict on 11 January 2013, 08:40:53
I wont use wonder wheels any more as its acidic and I have pretty much managed to prove that it was a major contributing factor to the dust sheilds on the discs becoming very corroded.

But I do spray on (dont really have do brush stuff).

The Very Cherry also removes the crudd and brake dust make easier and better than the acid products.

Bottom line is if your going down the wonder wheels route than save a few quid and buy patio cleaner and water it down.

Fair point, but brushing it on, I only put it on the wheels, it doesn't go anywhere else.
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Keith ABS on 11 January 2013, 08:47:28
   I use one from Turtle and follow up with their brake dust barrier. does make the next wash very easy.
Keith B
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 11 January 2013, 09:00:45
I wont use wonder wheels any more as its acidic and I have pretty much managed to prove that it was a major contributing factor to the dust sheilds on the discs becoming very corroded.

But I do spray on (dont really have do brush stuff).

The Very Cherry also removes the crudd and brake dust make easier and better than the acid products.

Bottom line is if your going down the wonder wheels route than save a few quid and buy patio cleaner and water it down.

Fair point, but brushing it on, I only put it on the wheels, it doesn't go anywhere else.

Trouble is AA that its still a strong acid onto a painted surface  :y
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Auto Addict on 11 January 2013, 09:07:58
I wont use wonder wheels any more as its acidic and I have pretty much managed to prove that it was a major contributing factor to the dust sheilds on the discs becoming very corroded.

But I do spray on (dont really have do brush stuff).

The Very Cherry also removes the crudd and brake dust make easier and better than the acid products.

Bottom line is if your going down the wonder wheels route than save a few quid and buy patio cleaner and water it down.

Fair point, but brushing it on, I only put it on the wheels, it doesn't go anywhere else.

Trouble is AA that its still a strong acid onto a painted surface  :y

I will stop using it and switch to Very Cherry, I always bow to your advice ;)
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 11 January 2013, 09:56:54
Feel free to pop round and try some of mine on my alloys  ;D
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Auto Addict on 11 January 2013, 10:10:45
Feel free to pop round and try some of mine on my alloys  ;D

 ;D
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Boggy on 13 January 2013, 11:33:37
I bought some alloy cleaner which indent diluted, add water to whatever consistency is recommended, used it on my wheels and the motorbike frame, worked well, I can't remember what brand it was though, check eBay
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Broomies Mate on 13 January 2013, 18:14:01
I use Wonder Wheels - The type with a brush.  The 'Spray' type Wonder Wheels is rubbish - I think it's the real thing, just diluted.

My wheels (BMW 'Turbines' (Yeah, the crap ones)) are a pain in the arse to clean.  Most Omega Wheels are nice and open so much easier to clean.

Polish Polish Polish is the only tip I would give anyone.  Oh, and don't use brake pads which are known to create more dust than others.
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 13 January 2013, 18:34:24
Very cherry alloy wheel cleaner, non acid unlike the others which are little more than brick acid

I brush Wonder Wheels on, and immediately rinse off, one wheel at a time.

Haven't had a problem in 10 years.


Sound advice, if you use Wonder Wheels or any other acid based cleaner, otherwise leave it on too long and yer nuts will go rusty, if you havent got covers on them  :y

Years ago, when i owned a merc slk and used to let the merc dealer service it.....they used to clean it as well. Few weeks later i would be back at the dealer complaining the wheel nuts had gone rusty. I suspect they used to let a spotty 16 yo yoof clean the cars and suspect he used to brush all 4 wheels with acid based cleaner at the same time, leaving it on for way too long before rinsing it off. Merc dealer used to order up 16 new wheel nuts f.o.c. every time after they serviced it  ::) ;D
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: raywilb on 14 January 2013, 09:45:18
wheel cleaner -which ones are decent. (if any)  :-\
  tesco,s were selliing w/wheel pretty cheap.i used it on saturday and i it i thought was very good.  :y wheels were off the car so were able to get to both sides, & pleasantly surprised how far it went.  probably enough left to do them another 3-4 times.  :y :y
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 14 January 2013, 16:04:40
I never have this dust cleaning problem..   :-\
 
because I wash my cars weekly(only tap water-no soaps no detergents) .. and every season before using them I use paint protector which prevents dust accumulation..
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Andy B on 16 June 2014, 21:35:02
cough cough ..... it's a bit dusty here  ;D

Just had the wheels off my Merc to clean the insides of the rims (only got as far as the two fronts). Used Wonder Wheels which removed the vast majority of crap/brake dust and a bit of petrol to remove the tar spots & old sticky pads from previous weights. Though they're now pretty good, I just wondered what people use to remove the ingrained dust from the more matt finish inside the rims. I once used an old green scouring pad on the inside of my Omega rims & it started to remove the surface finish!  ??? ???
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 17 June 2014, 11:24:34
So....why are people paying top dollar for wonder wheels rather than getting brick acid/patio cleaner and saving a few quid?
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Nick W on 17 June 2014, 11:43:37
The same reasons they buy glasscleaner rather than a litre of ammonia and making several year's supply out of the tap.

They don't know what it is, or they just can't be bothered.
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Andy B on 17 June 2014, 12:16:15
So....why are people paying top dollar for wonder wheels rather than getting brick acid/patio cleaner and saving a few quid?

A gallon from Costco was presumably a reasonable price when I bought  ::) ::)
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Andy B on 17 June 2014, 12:17:19
The same reasons they buy glasscleaner rather than a litre of ammonia and making several year's supply out of the tap.

They don't know what it is, or they just can't be bothered.

or convenience of buying Mr Muscle in a squirty bottle  ;)
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: chrisgixer on 17 June 2014, 14:23:56
I've had a bottle of wonder wheels on the shelf for years. I only used it on two sets of wheels. Ever.

It's fine IF you can absolutely guarantee it won't get under the top layer of paint/laquer. But ime if it does, it will corrode the alloy quicker than sulphuric acid and lift the paint of the alloy in no time. Corrosion then spreads like wildfire.

It does remove brake dust ver well though, so I've used it on cast iron brake calipers that are heavily caked with good results. But I'd NEVER recommend it without caution to anyone else.

If you get it on your hands for more than two mins it will start to burn. So if it's not rinsed away from broken paint surfaces or around the valve or detailed areas like the bolt holes or torx bolts on irmscher sport stars for example, it will just lift the paint off very quickly. Presumably as it can't be rinsed out of broken areas as easily.

One to avoid IMO. Or use with great care at the very least.
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Andy B on 17 June 2014, 17:33:03
So .......... what the general consensus re removing the ingrained dust that the Wonder Wheels/other has left?  ;) ;)
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 17 June 2014, 18:14:09
So .......... what the general consensus re removing the ingrained dust that the Wonder Wheels/other has left?  ;) ;)

Clay. Or IronX.
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Andy B on 17 June 2014, 18:59:33
So .......... what the general consensus re removing the ingrained dust that the Wonder Wheels/other has left?  ;) ;)

Clay. Or IronX.

Ta! I've got a clay bar, but will look out fro IronX  :y :y
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 17 June 2014, 22:36:51
any ordinary paste and wax will do the job.. and dont damage the paint like the so called chemical..
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: Andy B on 17 June 2014, 23:03:48
any ordinary paste and wax will do the job.. and dont damage the paint like the so called chemical..

My polish wouldn't clean it all off, but I've waxed inside the rims  :y
Title: Re: alloy wheel cleaner
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 18 June 2014, 16:54:34
any ordinary paste and wax will do the job.. and dont damage the paint like the so called chemical..

My polish wouldn't clean it all off, but I've waxed inside the rims  :y


a different (harder) grade polish will do it.. but problem is this brake dust settle on wheels when its hot so there is the probability of it going deep in the laquer :-\  (as laquer softens when the wheel is hot)


ps: whatever you do , apply when the wheel surface is completely cold