Care of Wheels/Rims

[Zippy7]

Ok. So we all have a European Car that sheds lots of brake dust.

I washed my car for the first time, and got an old cloth to try and wipe down one wheel, but it was getting dark (I had left the wheels until last, as I go top down). Anyway, when I was gently wiping, the wheels felt kind of greasy, making me think there was some wax or chemical applied to the surface?

I never got around to the rest of the wheels (must try again this weekend!!) and finish off this wheel properly. It made me feel that next time I should get a car with a simple 5 spoke design, so there are less nooks and crannys to clean!

I have previously used Meguiars Alloy Wheel cleaner, but given that there seemed to be some wax on the wheel, I was worried about this cleaner getting rid of that layer. I thought about using a brush, but I thought that might scratch the wheels.

I'm interested in what do you guys do about it...

[Lord Viykor]

I use car shampoo and a toothbrush to clean mine.

[XtRmn8]

Just use normal car shampoo and wash once a week. After time the break dust will build up and start to eat into the clear coat on the wheels and become pretty hard to clean.

I recommend you get a separate sponge for your wheels and hit them with some hot soapy water once a week and rinse and dry.

[apstar]

I am going to spray the wheels with clear lacquer spray paint hopefully it will protect the surface as the lacquer will be an barrier between the dust and the alloy
apstar

[Zippy7]

Well, I cleaned the outside of the car today...
In the end, after cleaning the wheels, I decided I might as well try using car wax on the wheels (it was suggested to me by my brother). We shall see how it goes

[LRsedan]

Originally Posted by apstar

I am going to spray the wheels with clear lacquer spray paint hopefully it will protect the surface as the lacquer will be an barrier between the dust and the alloy
apstar

The wheels are already clear-coated. No need.

I suggest washing your wheels with a car shampoo, and waxing / sealing them with the same product you do your paint with.

My wheels are sealed with Zaino Z2pro. I can go 2 weeks with no considerable brake dust buildup. They still look silver, not black.

Makes washing them super easy as well.

[apstar]

LRsedan thanks for that where do you get yours from!

apstar

[LRsedan]

Zaino from one of the following.

www.waxit.com.au
www.finalinspection.com.au (online store is down, call them and ask for Elise)

You need the z2pro and the zfx accelerator.

Its pricey, but you can do your paint as well. It offers great protection.
There are other options as well some cheaper.

If you jump on the www.detailaddiction.com.au forums, there is plenty of info and friendly people.

[apstar]

Originally Posted by LRsedan

Zaino from one of the following.

www.waxit.com.au
www.finalinspection.com.au (online store is down, call them and ask for Elise)

You need the z2pro and the zfx accelerator.

Its pricey, but you can do your paint as well. It offers great protection.
There are other options as well some cheaper.

If you jump on the www.detailaddiction.com.au forums, there is plenty of info and friendly people.

Under Wheel & Tyre there are NO discussions!!

apstar

[Zippy7]

Have you signed up/joined that forum?
I have not signed up, but then again, I also see nothing.
Perhaps they require peeps to sign up to see posts?

[apstar]

Zippy7
Normally you cannot post as a guest but still view :

apstar

[Zippy7]

Hey Apstar,

When you are not signed in on that particular forum, you cannot see anything. It does say there are threads in the main forum list, but it will not show them to you. I have since registered, and now I can view the threads.
[I know that is not normally the case, but I think you'll see "private" flagged for all their posts]

[apstar]

Thanks mate I will register

apstar

[LRsedan]

Yeah just register.

And search for wheel wax, wheel sealing etc.

Or just post a new thread and wait for a plethora of advice. The guys are super friendly!

My username there is MondeoXR5t

[Zippy7]

Originally Posted by LRsedan

My username there is MondeoXR5t

Strange "insiders club" you've got over there mate!

I registered yesterday, and today, I've been banned for no reason. I was going to recommend the site to a friend based in Melbourne, but obviously they aren't interested in expanding their circle of contacts? I'll email the guy and see what comes back, but that's very pathetic of them (never even sent me the registration confirmation).

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by Zippy7

Ok. So we all have a European Car that sheds lots of brake dust.

I washed my car for the first time, and got an old cloth to try and wipe down one wheel, but it was getting dark (I had left the wheels until last, as I go top down). Anyway, when I was gently wiping, the wheels felt kind of greasy, making me think there was some wax or chemical applied to the surface?

I never got around to the rest of the wheels (must try again this weekend!!) and finish off this wheel properly. It made me feel that next time I should get a car with a simple 5 spoke design, so there are less nooks and crannys to clean!

I have previously used Meguiars Alloy Wheel cleaner, but given that there seemed to be some wax on the wheel, I was worried about this cleaner getting rid of that layer. I thought about using a brush, but I thought that might scratch the wheels.

I'm interested in what do you guys do about it...

DP wheel glaze is your friend...you can get it from waxit.com

Its a wheel sealant, so you put it in once every 2-3 months and just use shampoo to wash each time you wash the car...Say goodbye to brake dust

[Zippy7]

Originally Posted by ozmale42

DP wheel glaze is your friend...you can get it from waxit.com

Its a wheel sealant, so you put it in once every 2-3 months and just use shampoo to wash each time you wash the car...Say goodbye to brake dust

Thanks for that - Nice photo of your wheels.
Do you take the whole wheel off and wash/apply the wheel glaze. Or is it sufficient to apply to the outside surfaces whilst the wheel is still on the car?

Cheers.

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by Zippy7

Thanks for that - Nice photo of your wheels.
Do you take the whole wheel off and wash/apply the wheel glaze. Or is it sufficient to apply to the outside surfaces whilst the wheel is still on the car?

Cheers.

I just do the outside....I'm a lazy bastard.

Before I applied it for the first time I sprayed withe Megs Hot Wheels and used a wheel scrubbing brush (avail from supercheap) to get rid of the grime that had already stuck to the rim then rinsed with water, dried off with a cotton terry toweling cloth then appllied the DP...let form a haze then buff off with a microfibre or terry towel cloth.

[apstar]

Guess what out of stock just my luck

apstar

[apstar]

Originally Posted by Zippy7

Strange "insiders club" you've got over there mate!

I registered yesterday, and today, I've been banned for no reason. I was going to recommend the site to a friend based in Melbourne, but obviously they aren't interested in expanding their circle of contacts? I'll email the guy and see what comes back, but that's very pathetic of them (never even sent me the registration confirmation).

ah it happened to me also who gives a toss anyway I'm happy here

apstar

ps I think I have worked it out if you use a non ISP account e.g. hotmail,gmail,etc that could knock us off nice to tell us first when I registered I did not see any reference to it!!

[Zippy7]

Hey Apstar,
I sent them an email and they unlocked me, so I will have a snoop around later. I tried using my fastmail email addy, and they wouldnt let me sign up with that, so I then used my hotmail, which got banned. I just emailed them using the feedback form on their website.

[Zippy7]

Originally Posted by ozmale42

Before I applied it for the first time I sprayed withe Megs Hot Wheels and used a wheel scrubbing brush (avail from supercheap) to get rid of the grime that had already stuck to the rim then rinsed with water, dried off with a cotton terry toweling cloth then appllied the DP...let form a haze then buff off with a microfibre or terry towel cloth.

I had a look at getting a wheel brush at Kmart during their 25% off sale, but those brushes seem rather stiff, and I was kinda skeptical. Will have to try out the toothbrush or find something to deal with the nooks and crannies.

So the brake dust just hoses off easy after they've been waxed?

[apstar]

We no longer stock Wheel Wax, instead recommend OCW which is a spray on Hybrid Wax and much easier to use, it is $35 for 500ml.

apstar

[Zippy7]

Is that a special price, just for you? :P (joking - I am sure he just got mixed up)

I presume this is the product - Optimum Spray Wax, also referred to as Optimum Car Wax in the description. http://waxit.com.au/proddetail.asp?prod=OP0002&cat=40

I will see how my wheels are in another week or so of driving.

[LRsedan]

Originally Posted by Zippy7

Is that a special price, just for you? :P (joking - I am sure he just got mixed up)

I presume this is the product - Optimum Spray Wax, also referred to as Optimum Car Wax in the description. http://waxit.com.au/proddetail.asp?prod=OP0002&cat=40

I will see how my wheels are in another week or so of driving.

OCW on the wheels is awesome, It will help no doubt. I even use it on my wheels from time to time (applied over the Zaino Z2pro).

OCW is also great on your paint every second wash. Very glossy and keeps the water beading. It is also safe on glass (use on the windshield, cuts down on wiper use), and plastics such as the window rubbers on top of the doors (stops them discolouring), plastics in the engine bay, use in the door jambs to keep them cleaner for longer. The list goes on.

Even if you don't use OCW on the wheels or exterior paint, its a MUST have car care product IMO.

However I've found the Zaino to be the best on wheels, it stops dust build up far longer between washes. It sheds brake dust like no other product I've tried, inluding dedicated wheel waxes.

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by LRsedan

OCW on the wheels is awesome, It will help no doubt. I even use it on my wheels from time to time (applied over the Zaino Z2pro).

OCW is also great on your paint every second wash. Very glossy and keeps the water beading. It is also safe on glass (use on the windshield, cuts down on wiper use), and plastics such as the window rubbers on top of the doors (stops them discolouring), plastics in the engine bay, use in the door jambs to keep them cleaner for longer. The list goes on.

Even if you don't use OCW on the wheels or exterior paint, its a MUST have car care product IMO.

However I've found the Zaino to be the best on wheels, it stops dust build up far longer between washes. It sheds brake dust like no other product I've tried, inluding dedicated wheel waxes.

Duragloss Aquawax is similar to OCW in all respects and half the price for a similar result

[apstar]

now I'm really confused on what to use :

apstar

[apstar]

Originally Posted by ozmale42

Duragloss Aquawax is similar to OCW in all respects and half the price for a similar result

so it will work on the alloy wheels to prevent dust build up! yes you are right its much cheaper

apstar

[paulie0735]

I have my doubts re any product that will actually prevent the dust buildup.
Some products will help it stick = not good.
Some will help it not stick = good.
But nothing will prevent it = fact.

I'm still looking for a replacement brake pad but sadly nothing yet....... :( The euro spec pads are filthy and way to hard for our conditions). I replaced the pads on my wife’s old Astra convertible after we had it 2.5 weeks. She than did over 70,000 on the factory rotors and they were still roadworthy when we sold it. The wheels were a breeze to clean after that. (Astras would tear the front rotors to pieces every 30,000 k's on the factory pads).

[LRsedan]

Originally Posted by ozmale42

Duragloss Aquawax is similar to OCW in all respects and half the price for a similar result

In my use of both products, aquawax is far less durable, and doesn't have the clarity or depth of OCW.

Aquawax also is not recommended for use on plastics as far as I know. So by buying OCW you get literally 10 products in the one bottle.

Just my opinion, I prefer the look and functionality of OCW. But yes I agree aquawax is a nice cost effective spray wax.


Yes no product will stop the dust, but they will help reduce how much dust sticks to your rim as Paul has pointed out.

I'll post up pics of my wheels after 1 week of use, let you guys see how they look...