Best way to clean your wheels?

x5to330i · 05-18-2010, 11:22 AM

What methods do you guys use to clean your wheels of break dust?

I have heard that Mean Green works...I have never used it. Scared to spray chemicals around my brakes....

I have always just used water and a rag, sometimes soap.. but my wheels look cloudy afterwards..

Can anyone suggest a good cleaning solution?

IlChengis · 05-18-2010, 11:29 AM

I hear you on the brake dust pain.

You might have better luck posting this in the Detailing section. A quick search on there shows a few threads where fellow enthusiasts recommend a product that is sprayed on the wheel and rinsed off. Seems to be working well.

Share your findings if you decide to try one of those...

-Walter

jibaholic101 · 05-18-2010, 11:29 AM

sonax wheel cleaner...look it up

MB330 · 05-18-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x5to330i

What methods do you guys use to clean your wheels of break dust?

I have heard that Mean Green works...I have never used it. Scared to spray chemicals around my brakes....

I have always just used water and a rag, sometimes soap.. but my wheels look cloudy afterwards..

Can anyone suggest a good cleaning solution?

Read on another forum:
http://armorall.com/products/view_pr...ry_index=wheel

pcstuff · 05-18-2010, 12:50 PM

I've had good experience with humidifier degreaser.

Sara · 05-18-2010, 01:17 PM

I just get it detailed. I have too many spokes and can be on one wheel for 30 minutes +

slowSwede · 05-18-2010, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jibaholic101

sonax wheel cleaner...look it up

Far superior than other stuff I've tried.

gary88 · 05-18-2010, 01:52 PM

I keep a microfiber towel in the garage just for wiping brake dust off the wheels every night after I park it. Doing this makes it significantly easier to keep the wheels clean in the long term, and only takes a few minutes. Then when I wash my car it cuts way back on the amount of time/soap I have to spend/use cleaning each wheel.

335BBS · 05-18-2010, 02:05 PM

Soap and water. Same stuff you use on your car. As long as you do it every week or so it will never stain.

BMWs4ever · 05-18-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary88

I keep a microfiber towel in the garage just for wiping brake dust off the wheels every night after I park it. Doing this makes it significantly easier to keep the wheels clean in the long term, and only takes a few minutes. Then when I wash my car it cuts way back on the amount of time/soap I have to spend/use cleaning each wheel.

I totally agree with you. I do the same. When I park the car I wipe it down. This way it is very easy to keep the wheels clean

2kaccordocoupe · 05-18-2010, 02:39 PM

soap and water, takes 2 mins - I wash the car maybe monthly at best.

RoundelM3 · 05-18-2010, 04:33 PM

Wheel Wax will help keep the dust from sticking to the wheels...the stuff really works!

I just saw something in Road & Track about a new product from Mother's that you spray on both your wheels and tires and it cleans them both. Anyone try this stuff yet?

oel · 05-18-2010, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2kaccordocoupe

soap and water, takes 2 mins - I wash the car maybe monthly at best.

+1, except it takes me 10 times longer because they are 4751246 spoke wheels

hugus311 · 05-18-2010, 06:00 PM

Ive had good experiences with the OEM BMW wheel cleaner spray and P21S

scottp999 · 05-18-2010, 06:12 PM

Take each wheel off and clean it well - P21S works great. Dry the wheel.

Apply a coat of Poorboys wheel sealant
Wheel Wax - I do two coats
Then follow this procedure at car wash time: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156369

My sealant and wax lasted about 1 year as long as you use soap and water only on the wheels (no wheel cleaner or it will remove the wax and sealer).

Oh - and I put low dust pads on the car after about 18 months of fighting the brake dust. Don't regret that move at all.

Saintor · 05-18-2010, 06:40 PM

I wax my wheels along with the body 4x/year. I also use the same polymer-based wax to get rid of the yellowish deposit that sticks hard on my 161s.

subec3b · 05-18-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saintor

I wax my wheels along with the body 4x/year. I also use the same polymer-based wax to get rid of the yellowish deposit that sticks hard on my 161s.

Don't you just run the tires flat and then buy new rims and wheels??

If you are buying them new, why would you need to clean them?

Saintor · 05-18-2010, 08:23 PM

Stop being drunk and come back to us.

ENINTY · 05-18-2010, 08:47 PM

I just pee on mine. Works for jellyfish stings and brake dust.

But really, I use S100. It is a German motorcycle cleaner. I think it is the same stuff BMW uses as its P21S wheel cleaner.

subec3b · 05-19-2010, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saintor

Stop being drunk and come back to us.

Never been drink since the day you left on a month suspension and couldn't been happier.

chemgeek · 05-19-2010, 01:00 PM

Interestingly, I don't have problems with brake dust on my 2010 335 like I did on my 2008 335. I had 162 style rims and the dust would build up like crazy. I tried cleaners and waxing. The front especially, were always dusty. Interestingly, with the more open rims, 193M, there is little to no dust on them, even after two weeks with no wash.

Wosby · 05-19-2010, 02:14 PM

While we're on the topic of cleaning wheels, any recommendations for removing the old glue from balancing weights? Just had new tire install and balance, and now have the unsightly glue from the previous weights.

05-18-2010, 11:22 AM	#1
x5to330i Erode 21 Rep 100 Posts Drives: Graphite BMW 330i--2006 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Raleigh, nc iTrader: (0)	Best way to clean your wheels? What methods do you guys use to clean your wheels of break dust? I have heard that Mean Green works...I have never used it. Scared to spray chemicals around my brakes.... I have always just used water and a rag, sometimes soap.. but my wheels look cloudy afterwards.. Can anyone suggest a good cleaning solution? __________________ 2002 BMW X5---2003 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer---1996 Ford Mustang GT---2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited---1993 Jeep Wrangler ---2006 330i---2003 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab---
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05-18-2010, 11:29 AM	#2
IlChengis once Treppiede 67 Rep 915 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Miami and Atlanta iTrader: (4)	I hear you on the brake dust pain. You might have better luck posting this in the Detailing section. A quick search on there shows a few threads where fellow enthusiasts recommend a product that is sprayed on the wheel and rinsed off. Seems to be working well. Share your findings if you decide to try one of those... -Walter __________________ 2013 E92 M3 \| 6MT \| AlpWhite \| SilverNovillo \| CarbonTrim \| ZCP \| PremiumPkg \| Alarm 2009 E92 335i \| 6MT \| AlpWhite \| CoralRed \| AlumTrim \| M-Sport \| Nav \| Logic7 \| Alarm (sold to a friend - still in the family)
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05-18-2010, 11:29 AM	#3
jibaholic101 Brigadier General 174 Rep 3,496 Posts Drives: women wild Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (0)	sonax wheel cleaner...look it up __________________ some italian, german, and japanese ones; and on order more of the same
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05-18-2010, 12:50 PM	#5
pcstuff Feverish Fanatic 1 Rep 77 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 335i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	I've had good experience with humidifier degreaser.
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05-18-2010, 01:17 PM	#6
Sara Lieutenant General 5872 Rep 17,879 Posts Drives: A car Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Nola iTrader: (6)	I just get it detailed. I have too many spokes and can be on one wheel for 30 minutes +
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05-18-2010, 01:52 PM	#8
gary88 Ikea enthusiast 346 Rep 8,140 Posts Drives: '07 E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [7.96]	I keep a microfiber towel in the garage just for wiping brake dust off the wheels every night after I park it. Doing this makes it significantly easier to keep the wheels clean in the long term, and only takes a few minutes. Then when I wash my car it cuts way back on the amount of time/soap I have to spend/use cleaning each wheel. __________________ garyhebdingjr.com \| flickr \| Instagram
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05-18-2010, 02:05 PM	#9
335BBS Brigadier General 59 Rep 3,606 Posts Drives: 2009 335 coupe. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (0)	Soap and water. Same stuff you use on your car. As long as you do it every week or so it will never stain.
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05-18-2010, 02:39 PM	#11
2kaccordocoupe Brigadier General 1284 Rep 4,703 Posts Drives: Former ///M Driver Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The 6ix iTrader: (2)	soap and water, takes 2 mins - I wash the car maybe monthly at best.
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05-18-2010, 04:33 PM	#12
RoundelM3 Major General 1952 Rep 7,069 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clayton, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [8.25] 2022 BMW X3 [9.87]	Wheel Wax will help keep the dust from sticking to the wheels...the stuff really works! I just saw something in Road & Track about a new product from Mother's that you spray on both your wheels and tires and it cleans them both. Anyone try this stuff yet? __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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05-18-2010, 06:00 PM	#14
hugus311 Titanium silver + Sport + Premium 32 Rep 662 Posts Drives: 2006 330i (E90) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: west covina 626 iTrader: (6)	Ive had good experiences with the OEM BMW wheel cleaner spray and P21S
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05-18-2010, 06:12 PM	#15
scottp999 Brigadier General 138 Rep 4,764 Posts Drives: 4runner SR5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 BMW 335 [9.00]	Take each wheel off and clean it well - P21S works great. Dry the wheel. Apply a coat of Poorboys wheel sealant Wheel Wax - I do two coats Then follow this procedure at car wash time: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156369 My sealant and wax lasted about 1 year as long as you use soap and water only on the wheels (no wheel cleaner or it will remove the wax and sealer). Oh - and I put low dust pads on the car after about 18 months of fighting the brake dust. Don't regret that move at all. Last edited by scottp999; 05-18-2010 at 06:17 PM..
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05-18-2010, 06:40 PM	#16
Saintor Banned 92 Rep 2,446 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MTL, Canada iTrader: (1)	I wax my wheels along with the body 4x/year. I also use the same polymer-based wax to get rid of the yellowish deposit that sticks hard on my 161s.
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05-18-2010, 08:23 PM	#18
Saintor Banned 92 Rep 2,446 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MTL, Canada iTrader: (1)	Stop being drunk and come back to us.
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05-18-2010, 08:47 PM	#19
ENINTY Banned 190 Rep 3,415 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Sport Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I just pee on mine. Works for jellyfish stings and brake dust. But really, I use S100. It is a German motorcycle cleaner. I think it is the same stuff BMW uses as its P21S wheel cleaner.
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05-19-2010, 01:00 PM	#21
chemgeek First Lieutenant 12 Rep 317 Posts Drives: iX M60 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ladera Ranch, CA iTrader: (0)	Interestingly, I don't have problems with brake dust on my 2010 335 like I did on my 2008 335. I had 162 style rims and the dust would build up like crazy. I tried cleaners and waxing. The front especially, were always dusty. Interestingly, with the more open rims, 193M, there is little to no dust on them, even after two weeks with no wash.
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05-19-2010, 02:14 PM	#22
Wosby Lieutenant 25 Rep 403 Posts Drives: 20 G05 40i - Searching Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Poole iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 E90 335i [0.00]	While we're on the topic of cleaning wheels, any recommendations for removing the old glue from balancing weights? Just had new tire install and balance, and now have the unsightly glue from the previous weights. __________________ 08 E92 335i - Pictured Below - Sold 07 E90 335i - European Delivery - Sold 01 E46 330i - Sold 91 E30 325iX - Stolen
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