[Mr.Bimmer]

Hello Everyone...I have my stock 16', 161's..(is that the right one??) on my 06 325i non sport,Bimmer. I have not been keeping them clean like I should be. Now my car has those tiny freckle black marks all over the the inside of the wheels, and by no means can it be removed by taking a towel and some meguiars soap. I've tried everything-closest that worked was a claybar, but I cannot spend 20 hours cleaning my wheels. Obviously all the brake fade, and other dirt seems to reealy on there. Am I 's' out of luck here? or is there some solution-product that can help me here? Did a search, could not find an answer to my problem, maybe that's a bad thing

any pointers(POSITIVE ONES) would be greatly appreciated, thanks

[wj4]

I wish to know this as well. On my previous wheels, I didn't clean them for several months when they were off my car and I had the black particles baked on like you're stating.

I went to a local car detail shop and they reassure me that they can clean it. I never went through because I ended up selling those wheels.

[NFS13]

Originally Posted by Mr.Bimmer

Hello Everyone...I have my stock 16', 161's..(is that the right one??) on my 06 325i non sport,Bimmer. I have not been keeping them clean like I should be. Now my car has those tiny freckle black marks all over the the inside of the wheels, and by no means can it be removed by taking a towel and some meguiars soap. I've tried everything-closest that worked was a claybar, but I cannot spend 20 hours cleaning my wheels. Obviously all the brake fade, and other dirt seems to reealy on there. Am I 's' out of luck here? or is there some solution-product that can help me here? Did a search, could not find an answer to my problem, maybe that's a bad thing

any pointers(POSITIVE ONES) would be greatly appreciated, thanks

Have you tried bug & tar remover? The couple of hours you spend to get them clean again will be well worth it if you wax the wheels every couple of washes here forward. I have not had any wheel build up since waxing.

[nmulax]

Originally Posted by NFS13

Have you tried bug & tar remover? The couple of hours you spend to get them clean again will be well worth it if you wax the wheels every couple of washes here forward. I have not had any wheel build up since waxing.

+1 on the wheel wax.

Spend the time/effort to get the nice and clean; then apply a coat or two of wheel wax. That should keep the brake dust from baking on.

[Mr.Bimmer]

Originally Posted by NFS13

Have you tried bug & tar remover? The couple of hours you spend to get them clean again will be well worth it if you wax the wheels every couple of washes here forward. I have not had any wheel build up since waxing.

Sorry, been swamped at work lately or would have responded sooner!

yes I've tried the bug/tar/adhesive remover, but unfortunately it did nothing.

and yes I know for FUTURE reference, apply a thick a** coat of wax on there for fellas such as myself who just do not have the time every singld week to wash my wheels.

If anyone has any pointers let me know, thanks.

[BK]

I have these on my 162s I removed to put on the winter tires. Bummer to hear the bug and tar remover didn't work. I want them brand spanking new clean when I put them back on. Let us know if you find something that works well.

[ctgazer]

use something more acidic but DO NOT scrub with an abrasive scrubber...dilute the solution 50/50....be sure to have a water hose handy...off the top of my head, i cant remember any of the acidic wheel cleaners....pm picus

[Mr.Bimmer]

Originally Posted by ctgazer

use something more acidic but DO NOT scrub with an abrasive scrubber...dilute the solution 50/50....be sure to have a water hose handy...off the top of my head, i cant remember any of the acidic wheel cleaners....pm picus

laquer (sp?) thinner?

I even tried that. I was thinking acetone, but that might be too strong even if I dilute it with some H20.

If no scrub, just rub with a towel then?

So far the claybar has worked best for me, but it would literally take about 2-3 hours per rim, I just don't have the time, or the strength.

[ICALL]

I have no idea what I'm talking about so take it with a grain of salt.

That said, on autopia, they are talking about the new grey clay bar from sonus being so aggressive it is slightly marring paint. I would think that would be stronger and clean the wheels faster than milder clays. I would definitely ask Picus to chime in on the forum so the info is here for others in the future.

[Mr.Bimmer]

Originally Posted by ICALL

I have no idea what I'm talking about so take it with a grain of salt.

That said, on autopia, they are talking about the new grey clay bar from sonus being so aggressive it is slightly marring paint. I would think that would be stronger and clean the wheels faster than milder clays. I would definitely ask Picus to chime in on the forum so the info is here for others in the future.

I was using the 'red' clay magic claybar, I believe it's considered their "medium grade" clay bar. Clay Magic also makes a "fine grade" and it's their blue clay bar I believe. I might try that new grey clay bar, I just want to make sure that its not going to have any ill affects on whatever coating comes on that stock wheel, if any. Picus, can I use the grey clay bar on my 161's?

thanks everyone

[MonacoBimm]

I used a wheel brake dust cleaner. It made the black dust marks dissapea instantly.

[txusa03]

well, this seems to work for me. Spent 20 minutes a week on weekend cleaning the wheel is better then going for 1-2 months of not cleaning the wheel. It keeps the brake dusts and other debris from permanently sticking to the wheel 's surface. 20 minutes of blood and sweat a week is better then 20 hrs of blood and sweat every month. Just like keeping up with tire pressure - check it once every 1-2 weeks.

[Autopia Car Care]

Originally Posted by ICALL

I have no idea what I'm talking about so take it with a grain of salt.

That said, on autopia, they are talking about the new grey clay bar from sonus being so aggressive it is slightly marring paint. I would think that would be stronger and clean the wheels faster than milder clays. I would definitely ask Picus to chime in on the forum so the info is here for others in the future.

The gray Sonus clay bar is more "aggressive" then the green clay. However if used correctly it wont mar paint or wheel clear coat.
Use plenty of lube or car shampoo to keep the bar "floating" over the surface.

For your wheels I would recommend the following steps.
1.Remove one wheel (the best way to clean them once a year I do this)
2.Wash the wheel with Sonus Rim Bright or P21S Gel.
3.Dry the wheel and spray some clay glide on a 1 foot area of the wheel and take a small piece of clay(1/3 of the bar) and rub it in back and forth motions.
4.Wipe the area to see if the black spots are gone.
If area is clean continue with the rest of the wheel(If not re clay the area)
You may find a few pieces of tar are still present if so I use a Popsicle stick or any type of small wood piece to flick or remove the tar off.
5. Once the wheel is clean always protect it to prevent further brake dust and tar from sticking.
I like Klasse AIO or Rim wax.

[TTG]

Also WD-40 works pretty well too. I had success with it in the past!

[NFS13]

Originally Posted by TTG

Also WD-40 works pretty well too. I had success with it in the past!

Wow, forgot about WD-40, +1

[JIMD1709]

+1 on the WD-40. Also I recently polished my wheels with mild polish and a Mothers power ball mini. Worked like a charm. It took a while, but you should only need to do it once a year. My wheels had spent 18 months on the road, and needed it. (They have a good sized lip)

Also, like was posted, use wax on your wheels. The only thing you need to be aware of is that if you use wheel cleaners you will strip the wax right off as soon as you spray it on. I don't use wheel cleaners on my wheels, just car shampoo, a sponge, and a small boars hair brush. I feel wheel cleaners are too harsh on my wheels, my calipers, and my rotors. You just have to stay on top of the brake dust, and don't let it sit on there for long. Just a couple notes from my experience. Take care of your wheels and brakes (no harsh chemicals)and they'll stay looking like this.

[shragon]

fyi... you have 156's.