MK5 Golf GTI

General => Detailing => Topic started by: ConeKiller on January 28, 2013, 10:49:58 am

Title: What does everyone use to clean their wheels?
Post by: ConeKiller on January 28, 2013, 10:49:58 am
I have the 18's on mine with the grey sides but diamond cut/polished fronts.

Over the last few months then have been neglected and they look really grubby even after cleaning, seem to have lost their shine!!

I used a few wheel cleaners but they dont shift the dirt!

What does everyone use to clean their wheels?

cheers  :happy2:
Title: Re: What does everyone use to clean their wheels?
Post by: majinvash on January 28, 2013, 11:45:01 am
Hi

I use this diluted into some hot water and then attack the wheels with a sponge.

[url]http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_794537_langId_-1_categoryId_255235#tab2[/ur] ( It is cheap online than at Halfrauds )

To do a proper job you really want to take the whole wheel off, give it a good clean and then seal it again.

After that you can use a pressure hose to get the majority of it off and then repeat with seal every couple months.

But for the quick Sunday clean this does the job great.
Title: Re: What does everyone use to clean their wheels?
Post by: andrewparker on January 28, 2013, 12:47:41 pm
Bilberry is popular round here, but you might want to decontaminate them with Iron X then give them a proper wheels-off polish and protection.
Title: Re: What does everyone use to clean their wheels?
Post by: stealthwolf on January 28, 2013, 01:19:06 pm
I was gonna post a reply but got distracted. As above, you need to decontaminate them.

1. wheel cleaner eg smart wheels, bilberry; ideally go for pH neutral (some acid-free cleaners are alkini)
2. remove tar eg tardis, autoglym tar remover
3. remove brake dust eg iron-x
4. consider claying the wheels +/- filling polish eg SRP
5. suitable wheel sealant eg rim wax, poorboys etc

As above, it's best to take the wheels off the car - even if it's one at a time. Don't rely on just the trolley jack and don't use the scissor jack unless an emergency.
Title: Re: Re: What does everyone use to clean their wheels?
Post by: maxload on January 28, 2013, 02:15:35 pm
As above. But once you have got them clean,seal them with a quality wheel wax.
Once waxed they will be so easy to keep clean you wont need to use a wheel cleaner again for a few months,just a shampoo and pressure wash ;)
Title: Re: What does everyone use to clean their wheels?
Post by: ConeKiller on January 28, 2013, 03:06:54 pm
Cheers guys!! Appreciated!

Gona do a bit of online shopping now and spend Saturday cleaning :)
Title: Re: What does everyone use to clean their wheels?
Post by: r32son on January 29, 2013, 06:28:41 pm
As above I use Diluted Bilberry and Iron X
Title: Re: What does everyone use to clean their wheels?
Post by: Jack1992 on January 29, 2013, 08:27:23 pm
I was gonna post a reply but got distracted. As above, you need to decontaminate them.

1. wheel cleaner eg smart wheels, bilberry; ideally go for pH neutral (some acid-free cleaners are alkini)
2. remove tar eg tardis, autoglym tar remover
3. remove brake dust eg iron-x
4. consider claying the wheels +/- filling polish eg SRP
5. suitable wheel sealant eg rim wax, poorboys etc

As above, it's best to take the wheels off the car - even if it's one at a time. Don't rely on just the trolley jack and don't use the scissor jack unless an emergency.

This^^^^
Title: Re: What does everyone use to clean their wheels?
Post by: Grizzle on January 30, 2013, 10:25:28 am
This is the original Bilberry wheel cleaner

http://www.angelwax.co.uk/?wpsc-product=superior-awc-con
Title: Re: What does everyone use to clean their wheels?
Post by: swgti on January 31, 2013, 02:26:05 pm
If you get them prepped right you wont need to use any type of wheel cleaner, I've managed to get a fantastic seal on mine with the wax that was supplied with the car (BMW seal & Protect package) so have never had to use anything other than my pressure washer on light and normal AG shampoo, the sh*t litterally flies off them.
Title: Re: What does everyone use to clean their wheels?
Post by: dmac1969 on February 03, 2013, 10:58:14 pm
I just wash mine with car shampoo every few weeks , and every month to 6 weeks they get a coat of AG SRP , then EGP and a coat of Wax.(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F13%2F02%2F04%2Fyhe7enan.jpg&hash=4d8e40795a98fae28b0409121beadea167a0ca55)
Title: Re: What does everyone use to clean their wheels?
Post by: Leesey on February 04, 2013, 12:38:39 pm
I try to wash mine at least once a week, using a non-acid wheel cleaner and a cheap EZ Brush. Just to keep on top of the dust and grime.