What is the best wheel rim cleaner? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

broyalit · #1 12-25-2006, 01:20 PM

I was just wondering what you guys use to get all of the brake suet off the rims. I've used several but I just can't seem to get them looking new.

Hatterasguy · #2 12-25-2006, 07:32 PM

Car shampoo, Griots makes a nice car wash. I don't let my wheels get dirty so no special cleaners needed.

Its just a European car thing, either let the front wheels go black and live with it. Or clean them at least once a week if not more often.

Matt L · #3 12-25-2006, 09:06 PM

It's certainly not limited to European cars, but rather any car with alloy wheels. Steel wheels and hubcaps tend to keep the dust on the inside.

I don't like the look of the dust, but I don't like cleaning my wheels either. I live with it.

haasman · #4 12-26-2006, 03:27 AM

Replace your front brake pads with PBR deluxe pads. They are very low dust and overall work quite well.

Haasman

Bob G · #5 12-26-2006, 04:27 AM

Good Question. being in the car care business for over 30 years rims and plating have changed to more delicate finishes and very elabrate design. Mixtures of machine rims with plated or painted inserts that can easly be damaged by too acidic or aliklin cleaners.
I while ago I read an article in one of the Mercedes-Benz publications about wheel restoration. In that article was amention of a company called A-glaze a manufacture of high end car care chemicals .A glaze does not use an acid base so your not over come with that pungie smell.
I contacted A-glaze and talked to Trisha in sales. I put in an order for 24 bootles with sprayers of 500 mill alloy wheel cleaner and special alloy protectant spray.
I just put another order in and cannot wait to receive it . This is such a great product because it incapsulates the grim and wit a little helpof a soft brush can be flushed away with out turning the brake rotors brown and leaving the factory finish looking like new.
A 500 mill bottle will do a set of alloy wheels four times if used sparingly. I order the 100 mill no gallons at this time as refills with another 24 500 mill spray bottles for my shop and retail sales.
I would recommand waxing your wheels to put a protectant on them and make it easy to clean.
You can check out A-glaze at www.aglaze.com
Bob Geco http://www.aglaze.com/product.asp?productid=453&subcategoryid=105&categoryid=1

haasman · #6 12-26-2006, 05:04 AM

I like these products, especially the wheel cleaning products.

Mequiars wheel cleaners

Haasman

uberwgn · #7 12-26-2006, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broyalit

What is the best wheel rim cleaner?

P21S - when cost is no object

Griot's Wheel Cleaner - a great buy in the gallon size

FK1 Wheel Cleaner/degreaser - $25 makes 6 gallons of an excellent wheel cleaner

blueeagle289 · #8 12-26-2006, 07:54 AM

Baking Soda is still one of the best cleaners around, but people forget about that with all the modern packaged chemicals that are available. Try a paste of baking soda and a sponge or brush; you will find that any film of dirt will disappear with a quick followup water spray! Also the idea of waxing the wheels is a good one, to prevent the brake dust from bonding to the metal.

Ben Carter

MattBelliveau · #9 12-26-2006, 09:19 AM

WD-40 and steel wool. No joke.

Hatterasguy · #10 12-26-2006, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

It's certainly not limited to European cars, but rather any car with alloy wheels. Steel wheels and hubcaps tend to keep the dust on the inside.

I don't like the look of the dust, but I don't like cleaning my wheels either. I live with it.

European cars seem to use softer brake pads. Ie you can wash the car pretty often but after a week the front wheels black. I see this on BMW's the most, maybe because people tend to drive them a bit harder.

My wheels are painted, so I treat them like the paint on my hood. I wouldn't use a strong wheel cleaner like the kind tha Autozone mostly sells on my hood. So I won't use it on my wheels either.

Griots wheel cleaner is quite good as well.

Another solution mentioned above is to put low dust brake pads up front. The SD has a set of these it makes a huge difference!

redassag00 · #11 12-26-2006, 04:28 PM

I use soapy water and the sheepskin mitt, followed by a light coat of wax. For more severe cleaning, I use 25% simple green, 75% water in a spray bottle on COLD wheels.

Ethan · #12 12-26-2006, 07:43 PM

I wash with car wash soap then use the CLAY & lubrication technique used on paint..

Once wheels are perfect I try to clean weekly and keep a coat of inexpensive wax on them.

Ara T. · #13 12-27-2006, 04:33 AM

Ive given up on Bundts. Just a terrible design to clean, considering how practical MB is I'm surprised they put them on the car actually!

Has anyone ordered pads off of Fastlane and gotten some that don't put out a lot of dust? I have heard the metal pads do a good job of that. I got a set of those PBR ceramic ones but they dust like hell after a week like regular pads.

Bob G · #14 12-27-2006, 05:25 PM

Ordered a set of PBR Plus from fast lane and have havethe amount of sutt on the wheels as the factory pads. the down side is you have to warm these pads up for them to be effective in heavy braking.
I am not sure I am going to order these pads again may try the factory pads again. but then I own a auto detail service so my wheels stay clean.

Bob Geco

G-Benz · #15 01-01-2007, 10:40 AM

Soapy water...all of my MBs have chrome wheels, so they aren't nearly as difficult to clean as alloys.

Between washes, a soft rag will get the brake dust off, except after driving in inclement weather...then only washing will do.