[byoung8]

I just picked up a CPO 07 e90 335i and the sport rims looked clean when I picked it up. Now I can't just wipe the wheels of the brake dust like I usually do on my cars. I tried some soap and water but it seems like i cantget rid of the "dirt". Any tips? I wonder if i can buy a buffing kit for wheels. I just can't get the rim to be perfectly dust free

[Express]

same problem. i have caked on brake dust and i have tried almost everything i had in mind.

[ChuckBMW3]

Try a clay bar. That should do the trick...

[ChuckBMW3]

^ But obviously don't use the same clay bar on the paint after using it on the wheels

[the_doctor]

I'm no detailing pro, but ....

a) I suppose you've tried a strong (but not abrasive and non-acidic) wheel cleaner like Sonax Full Effect or P21S Wheel Cleaner and agitated with a brush?

b) You can clay it as per ChuckBMW3 above.

c) Since this is an OEM wheel (your thread mentioned these are 162 rims) or one that has a painted surface, you can use a small amount of polish (like Meguiar's 205). Buff with a foam applicator pad and then wipe off with a microfibre towel.

I would do it in the above order to see if there is any progress, and then give it a good coat (or multiple coats) of sealant or wax or both. Hope this helps!!

[Envious Eric]

if they are cleared and painted, and you have tried sonax, diablo, p21s wheel cleaners, try meguiars wheel brightener and a stiff brush> DO NOT ALLOW TO DRY! its acidic but works pretty well. I would take the wheel off the car to thoroughly clean them.

clay might work, as well, but its going to require an aggressive clay bar so you are going to have to polish afterward.

[Detailed Image]

I would suggest a pH neutral wheel cleaner like the P21S Gel Wheel Cleaner or the Chemical Guys Diablo Gel Rim and Wheel Cleaner. If they are clear coated a stronger cleaner like the Poorboy's World Spray & Rinse is a very effective cleaner. Just rinse thoroughly when you are done and avoid use in direct sun for best results.

If that doesn't work try a polish like Optimum (OPT) Metal Polish which helps clean and shine the wheels in one step. If it's really bad step and you have a clear coated wheel try a light cutting polish like the Meguiar's Ultra Finishing Polish M205. That should remove all the most common detailing problems wheels experience. Let us know if you have any other questions.

[jopa489]

All good advice above. Could we see a picture of what you're talking about?

[byoung8]

Wow, what a great response to this thread. Thanks guys. I'll go out and try and take a pic of my wheels now.

Here are just a few shots of different spots. The face of the rim wipes clean and is smooth, it's just the inside of the spokes and it feels rough...definitely not as smooth feeling as the face of the rim

[Detailed Image]

Glad to hear the info was helpful. I think the cleaners listed above will definitely remove the vast majority of the contaminants we see in the pictures. It looks like a few specs of brake dust or tar may be on there as well, which a polish would take care of if you were looking for perfection. You may also want to consider a brush to help you with the corners. The E-Z Detail Brush (see brush below) is great for the corners and breaking up loose contaminants.

[byoung8]

Thanks I'm going to see what the local auto store has in stock today

[Express]

p21s taw and a detail brush didnt do shit for me.

i would try sonax or something stronger

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by byoung8

Wow, what a great response to this thread. Thanks guys. I'll go out and try and take a pic of my wheels now.

Here are just a few shots of different spots. The face of the rim wipes clean and is smooth, it's just the inside of the spokes and it feels rough...definitely not as smooth feeling as the face of the rim

An abrasive paint polish will get rid of this. Followed up by a finer, finishing polish, and finally a coat of sealant/wax.

I have had this and clay bar does not work. You need to polish the clear coat.

[byoung8]

Fdriller, I read your comments on another thread. Did you ever get your Braille battery installed? And did you register it with "ITSA"?

[roundle]

Klasse AIO will likely remove a lot of the mess. Once cleaned up, use the P21S often.

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by byoung8

Fdriller, I read your comments on another thread. Did you ever get your Braille battery installed? And did you register it with "ITSA"?

No. I am debating whether or not to register it with my BT tool or take it to an indy.

The 2 entries in my BT tool are redundant: Battery adaptation reset and battery registration send the same commands.

There is no way to change the type of battery in the BT tool. Since my new Braille is an AGM I need to have the car recoded.

I think the BT tool is only useful if you replace the battery with the same type and spec.

I think it only resets the "learned charging program."

I'm going to call Bav Tech tomorrow, Monday the 3rd and depending on their response I will make a decision to take it to an indy or not. I'll be writing up a new thread on my experience.

[SpecC]

I have had the same problem as you have for many years. This is also a slippery road towards buying many other detailing products. My 162s are finally clean now though.

You'll need.
1. Meguiar's wheel brightener - Strongest wheel cleaner so far. Mine's diluted 4:1 and it destroys my supposedly chemical resistant spraying nozzles.
2. Brushes/sponges/whatever you use to clean wheels. The EZ-detail brush linked up before is a good start. I like to use the Swissvax brushes for the wheel face, studs and just the crevices of the wheel.
3. Gloves because the acid BURNS.

Now, whatever's left should probably come off with a good claying. This will be demoralizing as well because the clay will be ruined after a few swipes. After all this, I put a coat of Rejex on it, and now it's great. They're much easier to clean with protection on.

gl hf

[biz77]

Agreed on the Meg's wheel brightener. The stuff is amazing, but very caustic. I would not use it at a higher strength than diluted 3 parts water to 1 part brightener and I would only venture there after higher dilution ratios have not performed.

[byoung8]

seems like so much work for such a little "problem". lots of advice. I'm going to stop by the local auto shop on the way home from work and see what they have. I wonder if they'll have any "gauranteed to work or your money back policy". Sounds like the heavy duty stuff will work, but gonna need heavy duty protection to clean (if you need gloves, then goggles and mask won't be a bad idea if acid is involved)

[mattsten]

That rim in the pictures has been refinished. That is why the texture is so rough in the crevices. That combined with the corrosiveness of brake dust will create a surface that is very pitted and hard to clean. You can try all of the above methods but you really need to get the wheel refinished by someone who uses a base/clear/buff method if you want it to consistently clean up as you desire. Even better would be to get them powdercoated, but that would require demounting the the tires.

[byoung8]

Originally Posted by mattsten

That rim in the pictures has been refinished. That is why the texture is so rough in the crevices. That combined with the corrosiveness of brake dust will create a surface that is very pitted and hard to clean. You can try all of the above methods but you really need to get the wheel refinished by someone who uses a base/clear/buff method if you want it to consistently clean up as you desire. Even better would be to get them powdercoated, but that would require demounting the the tires.

I thought that because the texture is different than the face of the wheel

[fisherbln]

Originally Posted by mattsten

That rim in the pictures has been refinished. That is why the texture is so rough in the crevices. That combined with the corrosiveness of brake dust will create a surface that is very pitted and hard to clean. You can try all of the above methods but you really need to get the wheel refinished by someone who uses a base/clear/buff method if you want it to consistently clean up as you desire. Even better would be to get them powdercoated, but that would require demounting the the tires.

Really? I've removed very similar looking imperfections from multiple OEM BMW wheels with just a claybar and a little bit of time.