What Wheel Cleaner do you use?
#17
#19
All I use is a mild solution of Simple Green. It takes any little grease or oil that's splattered onto my wheels during the week off, so there's nothing sticky for the brake dust to stick to.
So long as you clean it weekly, there shouldn't be any "caked-on" brake dust - Even with the '03/04 brakes. A few minutes with a nylon brush and light cleaner should take it off easily, unless you've harmed the smooth surface of the wheel with harsh cleaners.
Harsh cleaners start the vicious cycle here - the small pits in the finish catch more brake dust, which requires more cleaner to remove, which causes more pits.... Just don't start.
So long as you clean it weekly, there shouldn't be any "caked-on" brake dust - Even with the '03/04 brakes. A few minutes with a nylon brush and light cleaner should take it off easily, unless you've harmed the smooth surface of the wheel with harsh cleaners.
Harsh cleaners start the vicious cycle here - the small pits in the finish catch more brake dust, which requires more cleaner to remove, which causes more pits.... Just don't start.
#20
Very true, harsh cleaners will ruin your wheels if not used properly, that is why I use Diablo Gel, Its water based and ph neutral. As above I just use soap and water on my wheels because they have sealant on them and get cleaned weekly. Wheel cleaner is for other vehicles where soap and water just wont cut it.
#24
So basically I'm expecting to be killed on here for this, but this was my process for cleaning my wheels. I tried the Diablo Red gel from Chemical guys, that didn't work. I tried using polish and a rotary detailing brush, that didn't work. I tried using Chemical Guys 1.5 rubbing compound with a rotary detailing brush, and that worked alright on one wheel but took over an hour. I Tried using the same method on the other tire, and it wasn't working so I had to resort to wet sanding with 2000 grit paper. That FINALLY worked and the wheels look much better than they used to.
#26
So basically I'm expecting to be killed on here for this, but this was my process for cleaning my wheels. I tried the Diablo Red gel from Chemical guys, that didn't work. I tried using polish and a rotary detailing brush, that didn't work. I tried using Chemical Guys 1.5 rubbing compound with a rotary detailing brush, and that worked alright on one wheel but took over an hour. I Tried using the same method on the other tire, and it wasn't working so I had to resort to wet sanding with 2000 grit paper. That FINALLY worked and the wheels look much better than they used to.
#27
#30