Scirocco Central

Hi all,

Just a general question.... I wondering what is generally thought to be the best method to clean the Roc's Alloys (or any cars for that matter.) I have heard various rumours for and against polishing, Wonder Wheels, Citrus cleaners etc.

I currently use a citrus based cleaner, but although it seems to get the worst off it always leaves little black spots which only come off with a polish.

All opinions and recommendations welcome.

Thanks
Nick

Hi Nick,

when you get a nice day, whip the wheels off and give them a good clean with a non acidic cleaner (ie avoid wonder wheels etc from Halfords as it eats into the outer coating). I use meguiars wheel cleaner, but there are a variety of products on the car detailing websites. Try http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk as a starting point for products and car cleaning advice, there are many other sites to visit such as detailingworld but it can get obsessive if you get the bug....lol

I tend to give my wheels a good couple of layers of poorboys wheel sealant once they are super clean and that way they wash clean very easily but you do have to repeat the sealing process every so often as its not a permanent product.

hope this helps mate.

just to agree about Wonder Wheels - it makes your wheels super clean but as it's acid based it will (believe me!) corrode the lacquer on your wheels. I used to use it but no more!!

When hand washing my car, I rinse the alloy with a power hose this helps get rid of most of the dirt and grit, then I use a separate sponge for the wheels (keep a separate one for the car only), warm soapy water does a sparkling job, if you maintain your wheels (i.e. no scrapes against kerbs etc) then they will remain like new every time you wash off the dirt and grit.

I sometimes use a tyre shine but haven't got round to that just yet.

Autoglym engine and machine cleaner is superb for cleaning alloy wheels, completely non corrosive and removes even tough baked on brake dust yellow stains.

Took the wheels off mine the other day, washed and clayed, polished with autoglym super resin then 3 coats of poorboys wheel wax.

Should make them easier to clean for a good few weeks. Although ti is now tucked away in the garage for at least 3 weeks as i'm offshore lol

who do you work for Andy?

albertz33 wrote:who do you work for Andy?

Subsea7, on the Diving Vessels.

Andy-GTI wrote:

albertz33 wrote:who do you work for Andy?

Subsea7, on the Diving Vessels.

Ah, just wondered, i used to work for Schlumberger years ago, dont miss the offshore life at all

I have been using the Poorboys Wheel Sealer on my wheels - its great and smells really nice!!

The alloys just need a clean with soapy water to clean. On previous cars I have used Wonder Wheels, but its too acidic and rusts the brakes etc - sure it dosn't do the alloy any good either.

Thanks for the replies and excellent advice on this gents. The Wonder Wheels is now in the bin

And I will be out with the polish a.s.a.p. while the Poorboys stuff is on order

Thanks again for advice, what an excelllent forum this is

If you use some Swissvax teflon wax on the wheels in the first place then they'll clean up fine just with shampoo when you wash the car, stops the brake dust sticking properly. I'm not big into detailing, i personally find it a futile, but i'd still teflon/wax/seal/whatever the wheels as it cuts down on maintenance.

Wonderwheels is fine if the lacquer has not been compromised. It will corrode the alloy if it is exposed by chipped lacquer. The lacquer is inert to acids and alkalis, the lacquer would be pretty pointless as a barrier otherwise.

The best way to an easy wheel clean is to wax the wheels, then the brake dust sticks to the wax and not the wheel.

There is nothing wrong with wonder wheels.If the instructions are read and it is used once or twice per year then everything will be OK Do ONE wheel at a time Apply for ONE minute NO longer Rinse with JET of water thoroughly
If you still dont fancy using wonder wheels try a CLAY BAR