MK5 Golf GTI

General => Detailing => Topic started by: VC on November 02, 2009, 06:04:04 pm

Title: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: VC on November 02, 2009, 06:04:04 pm
Now that i have the merc rims on the car, my calipers are now far more on show and they're disgraceful at the best of times, so i guess i now have to spend a little more attention to detail with them  :ashamed:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Faa104%2FverycherryR32%2Fnewrimseos004.jpg&hash=470c0ec72d7e136c4971a07a04e345a43db68fcd)

So my questions if anyone fancies answering in a way that someone from cornwall can understand

What the best method for getting 'in' there? brush? Cleaning techniques to save knuckles
What sort of product should i be using, will it harm my rims? product recommendation?
Should i use something like an alloy wheel cleaner?
Is there a way to seal them to protect from build up of brake dust etc?

thankyou please  :drinking:

Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: Moschops on November 02, 2009, 06:19:53 pm
Righteeooo Matey...here goes in my best country speak...ooooarrrhhh!

Now I'm typing this slowly as I know you cannot read fast.... :P

You will need some of these:

RaceGlaze - Detailing Brush Set  

Rimwax Wheel Wax

Valet Pro - Bilberry Wheel Cleaner - 1 Litre

Plus one of those Ezee Details brushes that have been discussed on another thread...here:

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=8650.0

All the above I've pinched off the Auto Perfection site...but other retailers are available... :signLOL:

Start by spraying on the Bilberry juice and leave for several minutes, then get the Ezee Detail brush and work it round the wheels, now I always have a clean bucket bucket of water here as to rinse the brush the brush off, but the nice lady from Auto Perfection doesn't so it's it your choice.
Now use one the Race Glaze brush's to agitate the muck off the awkward areas of the wheel and brake calipers, you might want to spray a little more Bilberry on them and leave for several minutes just to get them ultra clean and free of carbon.
Once you've done that, rinse the wheel off with some clean water.
After this I then Snow Foam the car, leave, then rinse the car and then proceed to wash the whole car and the wheels with (Dodo Juice or Lusso in my case) whatever shampoo you use. Rinse with clean water.
Dry the car off. (with your bestest chamoise... :stupid:)
I then add a coat of Rim Wax to my wheels, (smells nice too so this will be up your street or Cul De Sac  :laugh:)
Leave to haze then buff off. I use one these (Cookie Monster Cloth..Dodo Juice - Fantastic Fur Microfibre)

Job Done... :pomppomp:
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: VC on November 02, 2009, 06:43:05 pm
all sounds good dude thanks  :happy2:

so buying that bilberry stuff by the litre i take it it's a spray bottle or something not a foaming type thing? and can be used on the wheels too

so slap it everywhere under there or use with caution?
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: Moschops on November 02, 2009, 06:47:58 pm
all sounds good dude thanks  :happy2:  No worries  :happy2:

so buying that bilberry stuff by the litre i take it it's a spray bottle or something not a foaming type thing? and can be used on the wheels too.

You will have to buy one of those spray bottles, I fill it less than a quarter will the Billberry then top the rest up with water.

so slap it everywhere under there or use with caution? I use on the wheels and tyres, but I have another "cleaner" for the underside, again Jim sells this stuff,  :happy2:  Can't remember what its called and I can't find on there site, but again I dilute this down about a 1/4 and spray it on and leave to "dwell"...then wash it off when the car gets washed... :smiley:
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: VC on November 02, 2009, 06:51:26 pm
whoa there tiger  :chicken:

cleaning the underside is for energetic people that live in the north where they have the cold as stimulus

we warm cornish dwellers dont have time for that nonsense  :grin:

just the calipers should do for now, they look rubbish behind a clean wheel...unless i hit a tourist no one will ever see my arches  :chicken:
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: Moschops on November 02, 2009, 06:53:47 pm
whoa there tiger  :chicken:  okay brakes on... :happy2:

cleaning the underside is for energetic people that live in the north where they have the cold as stimulus I don't do the whole underside well not on the Eddy any way, just the arches and front undertray

we warm cornish dwellers dont have time for that nonsense  :grin: too busy pulling turnips up... :laugh:

just the calipers should do for now, they look rubbish behind a clean wheel...unless i hit a tourist no one will ever see my arches  :chicken:
aye plenty of them... :driver:
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: JPC on November 02, 2009, 08:47:04 pm
Can I suggest a stronger mix of bilberry and to ditch the rimwax. It's pretty average I've found. Fk1000p will be better, it's a hightemp paste sealant. When I'm on my computer tomorow vc I'll send you some links.

Oh and if you ever get the time, get the wheels off and have a good scrub, it's very satisfying!
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: Moschops on November 02, 2009, 08:57:38 pm
Can I suggest a stronger mix of bilberry and to ditch the rimwax. It's pretty average I've found. Fk1000p will be better, it's a hightemp paste sealant. When I'm on my computer tomorow vc I'll send you some links.

Oh and if you ever get the time, get the wheels off and have a good scrub, it's very satisfying!

And me please... :wink:
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: JPC on November 02, 2009, 08:59:20 pm
 :signLOL: no worries!
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: VC on November 02, 2009, 09:10:24 pm
excellent thankyou  :drinking:

i fear the 12 months of cr@p thats lurking in there  :grin:
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: candy turbo on November 02, 2009, 09:15:08 pm
can use auto glym wheel cleaner to clean them , then wit wheels off uae srp with a cloth and a cotton bud for small areas , after dodo juice red mist , works great  :happy2:
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: JPC on November 02, 2009, 09:22:06 pm
Sorry to have to do this, lol but

auto glym wheel cleaner is WAAY acidic, I wouldn't want any of that being sprayed specifically do to the piston seals etc. And on the rest of the area... Hmm well put it this way, I'd pass.

Srp will be good, but following up with red mist won't protect the srp. Red mist tropical might strip out the srp, so making that pointless too.

Fk1000p is probably best for that area due to the heat and brake dust.

But cotton buds, go crazy!
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: VC on November 02, 2009, 09:24:38 pm
What's with all the fk number talk?  :ashamed:
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: JPC on November 02, 2009, 09:26:30 pm
Have a look at fk1000p. I think cleanyourcar sell it
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: keith on November 02, 2009, 10:53:44 pm
Just started using the Bilberry stuff Not valetpro's stuff and I am liking it over my current favourite AG Trade -  Acid free wheel wash.You can also get bilberry wheel wax. A lot of people swear by Poorboys rim sealer.
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: JPC on November 02, 2009, 10:57:29 pm
I've used that too and although better than rimwax, it's not as good as they fk. All IMO of course
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: stealthwolf on November 02, 2009, 11:42:49 pm
I definitely recommend taking the wheels off - much easier, and allows you to clean each wheel properly.

The right kind of brush - i use a swissvaw style brush - allows you to gt in and clean between the spokes for those times when you don't wanna take the wheels off.

Never bothered protecting them as I find the Bilberry works fine though I use it neat (spray onto brush, then clean caliper cover)
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: JPC on November 03, 2009, 12:33:07 am
Meg's do a 3 way brush that looks like a tooth brush which will be  good for the calipers
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: veedub18 on November 03, 2009, 07:46:05 am
You could use Bilberry on your calipers if you have all day to wait and re-apply it when it doesnt get them clean  :laugh:

Or... use Megs Wheel Brightener diluted 10:1 with plain water. I've been using it for years without a single issue. It works really well  :happy2:

Someone's bound to say its too acidic/alkaline and it's make your wheels fall off etc.....

As for protecting the wheels, I've been using Zaino Z2 then Z-CS on top, but will be giving Collinite 476s a go soon as its meant to be the dogs danglies on wheels.
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: matsu on November 03, 2009, 09:06:54 am
great timing- i,ll have my new wheels to put on by wkend- and i wanna clean the calipers and prep the new alloys before they go on!
looks like i,m shopping tomo- sorry jim/taryn-i doubt i,ll get your stuff in time so i,ll go local to get few bits
matsu
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: stealthwolf on November 03, 2009, 10:51:48 am
You could use Bilberry on your calipers if you have all day to wait and re-apply it when it doesnt get them clean
You seem to have issues with Bilberry that others (including me) don't. What is it that you do to your wheels that means you have to use harsher products?
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: JPC on November 03, 2009, 10:55:26 am
i was wondering the same.  :signLOL:
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: NEWEY on November 03, 2009, 01:32:50 pm
i was wondering the same.  :signLOL:

+2 i think its a fantastic product. best ive used by far.
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: candy turbo on November 03, 2009, 03:28:35 pm
Sorry to have to do this, lol but

auto glym wheel cleaner is WAAY acidic, I wouldn't want any of that being sprayed specifically do to the piston seals etc. And on the rest of the area... Hmm well put it this way, I'd pass.

Srp will be good, but following up with red mist won't protect the srp. Red mist tropical might strip out the srp, so making that pointless too.

Fk1000p is probably best for that area due to the heat and brake dust.

But cotton buds, go crazy!
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: candy turbo on November 03, 2009, 03:33:26 pm
Sorry to have to do this, lol but

auto glym wheel cleaner is WAAY acidic, I wouldn't want any of that being sprayed specifically do to the piston seals etc. And on the rest of the area... Hmm well put it this way, I'd pass.

Srp will be good, but following up with red mist won't protect the srp. Red mist tropical might strip out the srp, so making that pointless too.

Fk1000p is probably best for that area due to the heat and brake dust.

But cotton buds, go crazy!
well thats what i used on the golf and the calipers were immaculate , only used the wheel cleaner first of to get them clean , then just srp now and again
(http://)(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fn374%2Fcandyturbo_2008%2FDSCF1251.jpg&hash=444ceb7708857911c3c1cc90b716a017674e22e3)
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: JPC on November 03, 2009, 03:51:38 pm
they do look good, but was just highlighting all the possibilities  :happy2:
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: VC on November 03, 2009, 04:19:34 pm
can we highlight a little clearer then? :smiley:

from what i'm summarising it to, i need an EZ brush and some bilberry....yarp?
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: JPC on November 03, 2009, 04:23:29 pm
sorry links...


http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/accessories/two-way-mini-detail-brush/prod_194.html (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/accessories/two-way-mini-detail-brush/prod_194.html)

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/accessories/meguiars-triple-duty-detail-brush/prod_138.html (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/accessories/meguiars-triple-duty-detail-brush/prod_138.html)

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/bilberry-wheel-cleaner-5-litre/prod_504.html (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/bilberry-wheel-cleaner-5-litre/prod_504.html)

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/finishkare-1000p-hi-temp-sealant/prod_589.html (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/finishkare-1000p-hi-temp-sealant/prod_589.html)
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: Moschops on November 03, 2009, 05:51:05 pm
can we highlight a little clearer then? :smiley:

from what i'm summarising it to, i need an EZ brush and some bilberry....yarp?

YARP!!!! :signLOL:
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: veedub18 on November 03, 2009, 06:14:56 pm
You could use Bilberry on your calipers if you have all day to wait and re-apply it when it doesnt get them clean
You seem to have issues with Bilberry that others (including me) don't. What is it that you do to your wheels that means you have to use harsher products?

Only my opinion chaps  :smiley:

I tried it after WB, and found it way less effective at cleaning, even neat. Have you honestly tried WB? if not give it a try and you'll see how much a better product it is than Bilberry.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: VC on November 03, 2009, 08:46:05 pm
im in deep negotiations with the T from autoP  :party:
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: Moschops on November 03, 2009, 08:54:35 pm
im in deep negotiations with the T from autoP  :party:

50P, 2 Dolly Mixtures and a Clown shoe should settle it then... :wink:
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: VC on November 03, 2009, 09:03:39 pm
maybe i should offer trade? most local business's down here send national...

pasties, fudge, safron cake, clotted cream and mead to the value of in exchange?

 :party:
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: Moschops on November 03, 2009, 09:35:55 pm
maybe i should offer trade? most local business's down here send national...

pasties, fudge, saffron cake, clotted cream and mead to the value of in exchange?

 :party:


Yes please.... :happy2:
Title: Re: Caliper Cleaning - Please talk slowly...
Post by: pomme on November 11, 2009, 10:39:32 pm
Bring it round mine i have what people have suggested so you can see them in action before you buy as there are a few different ones, and you may get one better with certain ones and not others etc.