Pic Attached: How Do I Get This Off My Wheel?

Dmillion · 09-06-2008, 08:12 PM

Any idea how to get this off? If I rub my hand across it I can actually feel it!

BeAmW335i · 09-06-2008, 08:35 PM

What is it? Try cleaner wax or a clay bar. Maybe a metal polish, if all else fails

Dmillion · 09-06-2008, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeAmW335i

What is it? Try cleaner wax or a clay bar. Maybe a metal polish, if all else fails

It's brake dust that was not cleaned off in time. I tried a wheel cleaner but that didn't help and I doubt a clay bar is strong enough. I need something fairly abrasive that WONT mess up my wheel (more than it already is).

LOLrance · 09-06-2008, 09:38 PM

$10 says clay bar takes it off.

Dmillion · 09-07-2008, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l4wr3nc3

$10 says clay bar takes it off.

Bet! I have a clay bar..I'll give you update tomorrow

328i · 09-07-2008, 03:09 AM

Just make sure you use an old clay bar that you won't be using on paint anymore, or just rip a piece of a new clay bar off and dedicate it for wheel use only.

pander5 · 09-07-2008, 10:53 AM

Tough pic to determine what it might be. When you "feel" it is it above the wheel surface or more of an indentation?

RedGT3 · 09-07-2008, 11:48 AM

wet sanding.

Dmillion · 09-07-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pander5

Tough pic to determine what it might be. When you "feel" it is it above the wheel surface or more of an indentation?

It's above...I'm about to go try the clay bar now

Dmillion · 09-07-2008, 03:24 PM

Clay bar really didnt work...grrr

Chicagobob · 09-07-2008, 08:00 PM

try tar remover first.

335iFab · 09-07-2008, 08:55 PM

i had a similar problem with my rims on my benz. Get some Strong wheel cleaner (used the CG wheel cleaner at full concentration) and spray it on and let it sit for a good 15 mins. then agitate with a wheel brush (or toothbrush if your ghetto like me) and repeat. It took me 30 mins just clean one rim.

SpecC · 09-07-2008, 10:53 PM

+1 on the clay

Dmillion · 09-08-2008, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335iFab

i had a similar problem with my rims on my benz. Get some Strong wheel cleaner (used the CG wheel cleaner at full concentration) and spray it on and let it sit for a good 15 mins. then agitate with a wheel brush (or toothbrush if your ghetto like me) and repeat. It took me 30 mins just clean one rim.

Thanks...I'll have to try something like that

L~R~G nor cal · 09-08-2008, 06:16 AM

Megs Wheel Brightener. 100% sure. There are other ways, but this is by far the easiest. Order some today and work on the wheels this up-coming weekend. You can thank me later.

picus · 09-08-2008, 08:50 AM

Or you could grab any paint polish. ScratchX will probably work. The wheels are painted.

purplewidow · 09-08-2008, 11:33 AM

i would use a cleaner fluid.. like swissvax strong.. that would get it out most likly

also i bet the clay you used wasn't very aggressive. that makes a huge difference.. i use p21s gel and a swissvax wheel brush then i use cleaner fluid.. the strong one.. then i clay then cleaner fluid again.

LENELSA · 09-08-2008, 11:41 AM

lightly with a razor blade.

BK · 09-10-2008, 12:52 AM

I'd try a harsh wheel cleaner or sap/tar remover first. If the light stuff doesn't work, you have to bring out the big guns.

FWIW, I clean my wheels thoroughly when I swap them out (summer/winter). Inevitably, there's some tar stuck on them deep inside the rim that I always missed during the weekly cleanings.

The first time, after trying wheel cleaners, cleaner wax, clay bar, and so on, I eventually tried rubbing compound, which totally cleaned it off -- but is abrasive, so it's not something to use all the time. Still, I don't even bother with the light stuff for the old stuck on tar I see when I swap the wheels. I just scrape off what I can and use rubbing compound on the mark that's left behind. The wheels end up looking perfect.

I'm not saying use rubbing compound, just that if the light stuff isn't working, don't hesitate to use stronger stuff.

Haywire · 09-16-2008, 10:11 PM

I get that shiat all the time, wouldnt worry too much about it... just like another poster said up top, something high concentrate, there is an acidic products that ive used at the dealership i do some work for that sprays on (But dont dare leave it on for more than 5 minutes) then spray it off...and well.

it will come off, its nothing that cant be removed.

09-06-2008, 08:12 PM	#1
Dmillion Private First Class 23 Rep 135 Posts Drives: 2005 bmw 545i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: houston, Texas iTrader: (0)	Pic Attached: How Do I Get This Off My Wheel? Any idea how to get this off? If I rub my hand across it I can actually feel it! Attached Images
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09-06-2008, 08:35 PM	#2
BeAmW335i Private First Class 30 Rep 184 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	What is it? Try cleaner wax or a clay bar. Maybe a metal polish, if all else fails __________________ 2007 335i Coupe Black Sapphire Metallic \| Coral Red \| Gray Poplar Wood Trim \| Sports Package \| Premium Package
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09-06-2008, 09:38 PM	#4
LOLrance The Law. 314 Rep 14,282 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SF / OC iTrader: (17)	$10 says clay bar takes it off. __________________
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09-07-2008, 03:09 AM	#6
328i Colonel 153 Rep 2,934 Posts Drives: E46 ///M Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: central NJ iTrader: (15)	Just make sure you use an old clay bar that you won't be using on paint anymore, or just rip a piece of a new clay bar off and dedicate it for wheel use only. __________________
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09-07-2008, 10:53 AM	#7
pander5 Special Forces - Discretion is superior 32 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Sapphire Black Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00]	Tough pic to determine what it might be. When you "feel" it is it above the wheel surface or more of an indentation? __________________ M3 + trailer hitch = oxymoron
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09-07-2008, 11:48 AM	#8
RedGT3 Major 83 Rep 1,253 Posts Drives: .2 GT3/M3cs Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (3)	wet sanding. Last edited by RedGT3; 09-07-2008 at 12:18 PM..
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09-07-2008, 03:24 PM	#10
Dmillion Private First Class 23 Rep 135 Posts Drives: 2005 bmw 545i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: houston, Texas iTrader: (0)	Clay bar really didnt work...grrr
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09-07-2008, 08:00 PM	#11
Chicagobob Car-Crazy 5 Rep 31 Posts Drives: 06 330xi, 02 M3, 99 911 C4 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Streeterville, Chitown, IL, USA iTrader: (0)	try tar remover first.
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09-07-2008, 08:55 PM	#12
335iFab Black Guy 7 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SF iTrader: (0)	i had a similar problem with my rims on my benz. Get some Strong wheel cleaner (used the CG wheel cleaner at full concentration) and spray it on and let it sit for a good 15 mins. then agitate with a wheel brush (or toothbrush if your ghetto like me) and repeat. It took me 30 mins just clean one rim.
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09-07-2008, 10:53 PM	#13
SpecC Completely obsessed with detailing 308 Rep 15,441 Posts Drives: E90 SG 330i, white Scion tC Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Francisco and Davis iTrader: (4)	+1 on the clay
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09-08-2008, 06:16 AM	#15
L~R~G nor cal Perfection Is In The Details 70 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: 06 E90 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Megs Wheel Brightener. 100% sure. There are other ways, but this is by far the easiest. Order some today and work on the wheels this up-coming weekend. You can thank me later. __________________ 2006 E90 SG-Dinan Ram Air Intake-Dinan Throttle Body-Dinan Exhaust-19' Hyperblack CSL's-15/5 tint-Matte Black Grills-M3 Spoiler Lip-Amber Delete-Smoke Side Signals
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09-08-2008, 08:50 AM	#16
picus Brigadier General 127 Rep 4,172 Posts Drives: e92 SG 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	Or you could grab any paint polish. ScratchX will probably work. The wheels are painted.
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09-08-2008, 11:33 AM	#17
purplewidow Lieutenant Colonel 54 Rep 1,928 Posts Drives: e92 335 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago iTrader: (2)	i would use a cleaner fluid.. like swissvax strong.. that would get it out most likly also i bet the clay you used wasn't very aggressive. that makes a huge difference.. i use p21s gel and a swissvax wheel brush then i use cleaner fluid.. the strong one.. then i clay then cleaner fluid again.
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09-08-2008, 11:41 AM	#18
LENELSA Private First Class 39 Rep 174 Posts Drives: 2016 Audi A6 3.0 /BMW M240i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	lightly with a razor blade.
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09-10-2008, 12:52 AM	#19
BK Smiling politely 179 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	I'd try a harsh wheel cleaner or sap/tar remover first. If the light stuff doesn't work, you have to bring out the big guns. FWIW, I clean my wheels thoroughly when I swap them out (summer/winter). Inevitably, there's some tar stuck on them deep inside the rim that I always missed during the weekly cleanings. The first time, after trying wheel cleaners, cleaner wax, clay bar, and so on, I eventually tried rubbing compound, which totally cleaned it off -- but is abrasive, so it's not something to use all the time. Still, I don't even bother with the light stuff for the old stuck on tar I see when I swap the wheels. I just scrape off what I can and use rubbing compound on the mark that's left behind. The wheels end up looking perfect. I'm not saying use rubbing compound, just that if the light stuff isn't working, don't hesitate to use stronger stuff. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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09-16-2008, 10:11 PM	#20
Haywire Haywire, brand new BMW owner :D 32 Rep 782 Posts Drives: 328i coupe Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	I get that shiat all the time, wouldnt worry too much about it... just like another poster said up top, something high concentrate, there is an acidic products that ive used at the dealership i do some work for that sprays on (But dont dare leave it on for more than 5 minutes) then spray it off...and well. it will come off, its nothing that cant be removed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote