Hello! While doing my wheel bearings and brakes, I will have both front wheels off of the car for a few days. They're the standard later 123 alloys. There's some brake dust on the outside of the wheels, but I'd also like to try and get the inside of the wheels nice and clean.

Any suggestions for a good solvent that'll get the dust off the wheels (I'm sure it's pretty caked-on on the inside) without damaging the wheels/whatever paint may be on them? I'm sure carburetor cleaner will work, but dunno if it'll cause any damage.

Thanks! I may try to clean the tires as well; any thoughts on a good cleaner for them?

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2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
Spark-free since 1999

get a product like meguiars wheel cleaner

I second Ned's suggestion.

You'll probably have to use a little elbow grease but a wheel cleaner will definitely make your life easier.

If you don't have wheel cleaner you can use standard car wash soap and alot more elbow grease!

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Afshin

Current:
02 C32 AMG

Previous:
92 500E
84 190E 2.3 5 Spd

Simply Green

autoglym wheel cleaner

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http://www.maxhydraulics.com
zeb..........
http://www.lo-rdz.co.uk/store/forum_sig.gif

I use a cotton rag and boiling hot water, a very conservative approach, but I am not interested in using anything that eats clearcoat and destroys the finish over time. This method works great, especially when you don't have a ton of brake dust built up over several years. If you consistently give yourself 20 minutes every month or two, they will stay reasonably clean all the time. Plus it is free and harmless.

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Pete

1986 Euro Black Metallic 190E 2.3 16V

The hot water approach sounds like a good idea, but I"ll bet that these wheels have never been cleaned before, so I should go more heavy-duty this time around.

This time around I'll probably use the Meguiars stuff, and use the water treatment afterwards.

Thanks!

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2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
Spark-free since 1999

Any insight on how to restore aging aluminum wheels to a shinny look again? I get the brake dust off ok, and the wheels shin up ok, but it never lasts more than a day or two, before the old looking wheels surface comes through again. thanks

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Bill & Monika Mercer