|
|
|
|
|
|
BMW Garage | BMW Meets | Register | Today's Posts | Search |
|
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
>
Wheel Cleaning Recommendations?
|
|
10-08-2024, 12:13 PM | #1 |
Enlisted Member
57
Rep 36
Posts |
Wheel Cleaning Recommendations?
I know there thread on this already but no matter how much i scrub or how much product i use i can never get my 825m clean like new. i even ceramic coated the rims (first day i got the car) as i heard so much about how bad the brake dust is on the car.
What do you guys recommend??? Last edited by Juice26; 10-08-2024 at 12:18 PM.. |
10-08-2024, 12:34 PM | #2 | |
Lieutenant
249
Rep 539
Posts
Drives: 2025 g82 m4
Join Date: Jul 2024
Location: MA
|
Quote:
|
|
10-09-2024, 05:11 AM | #3 |
Private
65
Rep 57
Posts
Drives: 2025 M4 Competition
Join Date: Jun 2024
Location: Southern California
|
Greetings,
First - get some brushes or make your own. The more you clean your wheels, the better you will get. I use Griot's Wheel Cleaner with a variety of brushes and hand micro fiber mits. Second, after (what I think) is a thorough cleaning...the next day, I use a ceramic rinseless wash to clean them again. This pretty much returns the wheels to original condition. And finally, yesterday I applied 303 Graphene Nano spray to my wheels for lasting protection - it was easy on and easy off, and leaves a helluva shine. You'll get better the more you do it...(like everything else in life). Semper Fi |
Appreciate
1
tracer bullet3665.50 |
10-09-2024, 05:44 AM | #4 |
First Lieutenant
131
Rep 303
Posts |
Depending on your wheels. Brake dust on flat surfaces, even baked on, can easily be cleaned off using typical thioglycolicacid based wheel cleaner (the ones that turn purple and smell bad) and scrub with microfiber wash mitt and wheel brushes.
But the dust in tight corners and crevices is hard to fully clean since it accumulates and solidifies in big chunks. The only way is to clean these places frequently before they get worse. I am not sure how practical it is for you. It takes me about ~ 1hr to fully clean the rims, so it is very time consuming and tiring. I have used Adams' Wheel cleaner, Sonax Beast, Trinova wheel cleaner and honestly I cannot tell which one is noticeably better. They are all good on easy-to-clean places but suck at tight corners. Adams' Wheel & Tire cleaner is another product that's not based on TGA, but some review says it actually cleans better. I have yet to try. A more aggressive chemical is to acid based wheel cleaners. Strangely I couldn't find many products like this in the US, probably due to regulations. The acid attacks iron oxides and dissolves them much quicker. They are totally safe on clear coated wheels but can damage metal and metal oxide surfaces around. Be careful if you have to use them |
Appreciate
1
USMC G264.50 |
10-09-2024, 07:27 AM | #5 | |
Major General
8108
Rep 7,385
Posts |
Quote:
NOT WORTH IT. As others have said, nothing like a good quality wheel cleaner, a bunch of tools and time. It takes me about 30 minutes to do all 4 wheels, which means I'm nearly an hour into the wash by that time (setting up pressure washer, getting out buckets, mixing the soap, etc.) |
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-09-2024, 07:52 AM | #6 |
New Member
8
Rep 5
Posts |
In my opinion, it's not that important which chemicals you use. It's more the frequency of cleaning that makes the difference. You'll always have brake dust, you can also reduce it by braking less. Otherwise, clean the rims more often.
I've been driving my BMW for a year and wash it regularly. My rims look like new. |
Appreciate
0
|
10-09-2024, 08:47 AM | #7 |
Colonel
1755
Rep 2,833
Posts |
I like Iron X. Safe enough to use anywhere, including paint, removes steel/iron and brake dust.
__________________
2006 Z4M Coupe - ZHP knob, stubby antenna, clutch delay delete
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-09-2024, 02:45 PM | #8 |
Second Lieutenant
406
Rep 204
Posts |
I was in the same boat as you until I found a combo that really works:
Armour wheel cleaner Yum wheel foam Good brushes. This is key after the cleaners. You need good brushes with good cleaners to breakup the sticky dust. |
Appreciate
1
USMC G264.50 |
10-09-2024, 02:52 PM | #9 |
Major
679
Rep 1,393
Posts
Drives: X5M, M3 ZCP 6MT, MB E63 AMG
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Alexandria, VA
|
Why go thru this ritual, just change your OEM brake pads to carbon ceramic pads and be done with it. I did this years ago, and on my vehicles, and I can go weeks without cleaning. A little soap and water is all that is needed when it comes time to clean the wheels. No fuss or hassle.
__________________
It is never taken for granted that a commitment to speed and acceleration must be matched with an equivalent ambition when it comes time to stop!
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-09-2024, 03:15 PM | #10 | |
Private First Class
66
Rep 141
Posts |
Quote:
I’ll get a picture at the weekend but it’s no where near that size |
|
Appreciate
1
USMC G264.50 |
10-09-2024, 05:56 PM | #12 |
Private
65
Rep 57
Posts
Drives: 2025 M4 Competition
Join Date: Jun 2024
Location: Southern California
|
Rich76,
Most of those brushes are okay or too big...therefore, mistakes...the simplest is your fingers and microfiber. Semper Fi |
Appreciate
0
|
10-09-2024, 06:34 PM | #13 |
Private First Class
117
Rep 119
Posts
Drives: 2008 E91 ZSP
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Hi Desert, Ca
|
On Google Earth, I can see the brake pad stains in my driveway. Sonax full effect wheel cleaner is good, but there’s an odor that lingers after thorough rinses.
__________________
2008 E91, ARC-8, 255/40/17 NT01, ER sport cooler, TCK camber plates, coil-overs 400# front 700# rear, Koni SA shocks. M3 Subframe bushings, front + rear control arms, tension struts, strut brace. Quaife, Carbotech, Schroth.
|
Appreciate
1
ipilcher598.00 |
10-10-2024, 03:59 AM | #14 |
Private First Class
69
Rep 119
Posts |
I have been using Sonax for years. Works very well. Does have an odor. I just finished my most recent gallon and I was comparing prices with Adams and Griots. Sonax is the most expensive of the three. I picked up a spray bottle of the Griots Heavy Duty to try before I go after a gallon container again.
__________________
|
Appreciate
1
MaC-N54-E82550.50 |
10-11-2024, 12:37 PM | #15 |
Second Lieutenant
253
Rep 263
Posts
Drives: BMW Z4C 3.0si 3 pedal
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: MD
|
Tuga Alu-Teufel Spezial Special Aluminium Rim Cleaner 5 Litre Canister
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/aw/d/B...b_b_prod_image |
Appreciate
0
|
Bookmarks |
|
|