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2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum Technical Topics Cosmetic Maintenance (Wash/Wax/Detailing/Exterior Restoration & Repairs) Wheel Cleaning - Easiest Method?

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      08-17-2014, 01:34 PM   #1
disco4me
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Wheel Cleaning - Easiest Method?

What is the easiest way you have found to clean the wheels?
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      08-17-2014, 01:46 PM   #2
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I use soft terry-cloth rags that I picked up at the auto parts store to dust off the wheels between car washes. These soft rags glide over the wheel finish with ease, picking up the brake dust quite well.

And periodically I use Armor-All on the tires.
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      08-17-2014, 01:49 PM   #3
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No easy way.
A) Weekly clean.
B) Mild, Quality wheel or car wash soap
1. P21 spray (may get by w/spray and rinse or spray sponge and rinse.)
C) Non abrasive wheel brush, mitts or sponge-non silicone.
D) Wash, Polish & Wax when u think necessary.
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      08-17-2014, 01:54 PM   #4
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Bought a couple of those Mircrofiber covered foams on a handle, and every 2-3 days just walk around, and slide it over and inside to get the barrel, thus not letting brake dust settle long and harden on hot wheel. Then maybe at same interval, just hit wheel with SprayonShine...and wipe it down inside and out with decent older microfiber clothes. Takes 5 minutes tops if I keep wheels "swabbed" out. But if you let it go & dust hardens, and layers up---they will need a proper wash. If you stay on top of it, on very regular basis, its easy-peasy. BTW--microfiber wands also just wash up as well later for renewal.

Otherwise, if they are covered with road film and dried from a rainy trip, its a full kit wash and then some spray on wax to give them some protection. Wheels stay clean and they are in constant use.

Last edited by zkeeper; 08-17-2014 at 02:20 PM..
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      08-17-2014, 08:35 PM   #5
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Sonax Full efect

Spray...
wait 2 minutes
Rinse

brake dust is gone
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      08-17-2014, 08:47 PM   #6
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Terry cloth towel and Wheel Woolies.

Leif W.
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      08-17-2014, 08:57 PM   #7
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No real easy way since these brakes kick up so much dust.

I use a car wash sponge and car wash solution and work all up in there to get it all off. Then between washes simply use a microfiber towel to remove any freshly accumulated brake dust.

That channel on the wheels will get to be a pain too. You'll find that brake dust starts to settle in there and soon enough you'll be scraping dust out of there.
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      08-18-2014, 05:52 AM   #8
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+1 on Sonax

Also the EZ Detail Brush Mini bent at a 90 degree angle is perfect for the channel. My regimen consists of Sonax, rinse, then with regular car wash soap wheel brush, EZ Detail (large), lug nut brush, EZ Detail mini for channel. 2-3 mins per wheel.
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      08-18-2014, 07:20 AM   #9
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another +1 on Sonax

I got Modesta coating on the wheels and if I hose it down every night, dont need Sonax or elbow grease.
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      08-18-2014, 07:55 AM   #10
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PoorBoy's Poorboy’s World Spray and PB-SRWC128 Rinse Wheel Cleaner 1
.

No wiping needed. There are good wheel cleaners on the market, just find the one you like. I get 1 gallon of the PoorBoy from Autopia Car Care via online for $39.99. Look for free shipping coupons online.
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      08-18-2014, 08:24 AM   #11
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Thanks for all the suggestions. Countdown to PCD and just getting my cleaning regiment in place.

Last edited by disco4me; 08-18-2014 at 09:22 AM..
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      08-18-2014, 08:44 AM   #12
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I find simplest way is to use a cotton wash mitt. I find it helps to reach in with your fingers through the mitt getting the little nooks and crannies. And reaching in to get the inside of the rim.

1. Spray on your choice of cleaner.
2. soak mitt with water.
3. reach in to clean.

I do also twice a year when swapping to winters and back to summers clean the rims completely while off the car. This way i can get to back side as well.

Here is what the back side of my 6 year rims off a 135i looked like.
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      08-18-2014, 09:22 AM   #13
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Do it the right way.

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      08-18-2014, 11:01 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ddas View Post
Do it the right way.

That is just too much work for me to do on my 30 month leased vehicle

My car wash routine (twice a month), wash car with clean wash mitt (15 min), Wipe dry with clean microfiber towel and Spray & Wax (20 min), Poorboy's Wash and Rinse wheel cleaner (10 min), Rain-X F&R windows (15 min). Car is done in about 1 hour and looks like new.

Twice a year get full mobile detail inside and out with paint sealer wax. Any more time that would be a waste as I always have something more important I rather be doing. I only drive my car 5-8K miles a year and is garage keep so YMMV.
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      08-23-2014, 10:08 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pikcachu View Post
Sonax Full efect

Spray...
wait 2 minutes
Rinse

brake dust is gone
This. Before moving to ceramic pads, Sonax full effect will loosen all build up on the wheels and allow it to be sprayed off with a little agitation (read soft brush, like boar hair).

It will remove any build up safely without removing finish.
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