Wheel cleaning tips?

[derekh25]

Any tips for cleaning the barrel portion of the wheel. I use wheel cleaner, dedicated wheel mitt and a long detailing wheel brush and it gets them fairly clean, but i still end up wiping out the barrel with 2 damp rags to get it all out. Even after that, I still see spots of brake dust/rust colored water coming off the rotor.

Photo of my used towel

[Speedwell-Industries]

Sounds like you're doing everything right. Maybe try an acid based wheel cleaner if you haven't already? Works on pretty much all OEM or Clear coated wheels.

[Foggins]

I would also consider getting low dust brake pads...I didn't do that when I had my M3 but have heard it is a game changer. I did ceramic coat my rims and that helped with the cleaning process quite a bit.

[allinon72]

Check into wheel woolies.

[derekh25]

Originally Posted by Speedwell-Industries

Sounds like you're doing everything right. Maybe try an acid based wheel cleaner if you haven't already? Works on pretty much all OEM or Clear coated wheels.

Originally Posted by Speedwell-Industries

Sounds like you're doing everything right. Maybe try an acid based wheel cleaner if you haven't already? Works on pretty much all OEM or Clear coated wheels.

Any type you'd recommend? Although the "acid" around my car scares me

[f80NJ17]

Sonax

[HMM]

When I rotate my tires I take extra time to clean the wheels with them off. It seems there's always some spots I can't reach with them on...

[HRE_Wheels]

Originally Posted by derekh25

Any tips for cleaning the barrel portion of the wheel. I use wheel cleaner, dedicated wheel mitt and a long detailing wheel brush and it gets them fairly clean, but i still end up wiping out the barrel with 2 damp rags to get it all out. Even after that, I still see spots of brake dust/rust colored water coming off the rotor.

Photo of my used towel

You'll want to stick with PH-Neutral wheel cleaners to avoid wheel cleaners which have lots of acid to break down the brake dust. There are two brands I can recommend for wheel cleaning:

This is personally what I use - https://www.esotericcarcare.com/gyeon-q2m-iron/

This is another good brand to consider, Sonax, whom more people are probably aware of - https://www.esotericcarcare.com/sona...-cleaner-plus/
I also use this wheel brush - https://www.esotericcarcare.com/esoteric-wheel-brush/

First, don't ever wash the wheels after driving, the wheels and rotors have to be cool enough to touch with your hand. Rinse them, spray on the wheel cleaner and let sit for 2 minutes (DO NOT LET IT DRY). Once the 2 minutes are passed, agitate with the wheel brush and rinse off the wheel once done, it should be spotless (certainly with a pressure washer).

Originally Posted by Speedwell-Industries

Sounds like you're doing everything right. Maybe try an acid based wheel cleaner if you haven't already? Works on pretty much all OEM or Clear coated wheels.

Sorry but that's bad advice. As a wheel manufacturer for 40 years I would highly advise against the use of Acidic wheel cleaners as they etch into the powdercoat, they can leave stains, or even worse...

Originally Posted by derekh25

Any type you'd recommend? Although the "acid" around my car scares me

IT SHOULD SCARE YOU. When I was working for EAS way back in the day, I had someone want to use an acidic wheel cleaner. This is what happened - https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=406357



Using Acidic wheel cleaners isn't the answer, that's pure nonsense and terrible advice that is only going to lead to more frustration.

[damageprone]

Originally Posted by HRE_Wheels

You'll want to stick with PH-Neutral wheel cleaners to avoid wheel cleaners which have lots of acid to break down the brake dust. There are two brands I can recommend for wheel cleaning:

This is personally what I use - https://www.esotericcarcare.com/gyeon-q2m-iron/

This is another good brand to consider, Sonax, whom more people are probably aware of - https://www.esotericcarcare.com/sona...-cleaner-plus/
I also use this wheel brush - https://www.esotericcarcare.com/esoteric-wheel-brush/

First, don't ever wash the wheels after driving, the wheels and rotors have to be cool enough to touch with your hand. Rinse them, spray on the wheel cleaner and let sit for 2 minutes (DO NOT LET IT DRY). Once the 2 minutes are passed, agitate with the wheel brush and rinse off the wheel once done, it should be spotless (certainly with a pressure washer).




Sorry but that's bad advice. As a wheel manufacturer for 40 years I would highly advise against the use of Acidic wheel cleaners as they etch into the powdercoat, they can leave stains, or even worse...



IT SHOULD SCARE YOU. When I was working for EAS way back in the day, I had someone want to use an acidic wheel cleaner. This is what happened - https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=406357



Using Acidic wheel cleaners isn't the answer, that's pure nonsense and terrible advice that is only going to lead to more frustration.

Spoken from a wheel maker themselves. You can't get any better advice than that.

[louielouie]

+1 for wheel woolies.

I use Iron X for decon which is similar to Gyeon Iron.

[Eric S]

Remove the wheels for this first time
clean them with sonax or gyeon, or ironx
once clean, wipe with IPA and then coat them
remount, torque to factory specs
drive it

or have a shop do it for you, price will vary on total time needed and coating product used. There are cheap products that you will have to re-apply every year or two, or there are stronger coatings that will last longer and work better

[derekh25]

I think I figured out the issue. After washing the wheel, rusty/dirty water is accumulating in little spots on the rotor. So when I drive the car, the rotor spins and splashs the dirty water all over the barrel. I dont see anyway to avoid this unfortunately.[IMG]undefined[/IMG]

[Eric S]

use forced air to dry the wheels and rotors, then take it for a quick spin, then dry them again. otherwise, no way around it...

[cfung0517]

Originally Posted by Eric S

Remove the wheels for this first time
clean them with sonax or gyeon, or ironx
once clean, wipe with IPA and then coat them
remount, torque to factory specs
drive it

or have a shop do it for you, price will vary on total time needed and coating product used. There are cheap products that you will have to re-apply every year or two, or there are stronger coatings that will last longer and work better

What products do you suggest for coating? Something that can be done by me and not a professional.

[HRE_Wheels]

Originally Posted by cfung0517

What products do you suggest for coating? Something that can be done by me and not a professional.

This is what I use - https://www.esotericcarcare.com/kami...-coat-pro-kit/

Comes in a kit with applicators and all the necessary accessories to get the job done. And it comes with a bottle of the wheel cleaner I use so you can test it out too.

Here's details on this one:

[derekh25]

Originally Posted by Eric S

use forced air to dry the wheels and rotors, then take it for a quick spin, then dry them again. otherwise, no way around it...

Originally Posted by Eric S

use forced air to dry the wheels and rotors, then take it for a quick spin, then dry them again. otherwise, no way around it...

Good call, will try that next time

[allinon72]

If you have black 437m, it's an ongoing battle. My wheels are coated, I clean and dry with a leaf blower and wipe the rotor surface down with a towel right away to prevent rust from forming. Unfortunately, you can't physically wipe down the back side of the rotor, so it creates fine dust that gets on the rims immediately after. I usually take it for a quick drive then use compressed air on the rims.

[Eric S]

gyeon rim is supposed to be really good over the counter.

[KevinM]

+ 1 on Wheel Woolies

https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Car-Wheel...es+3-piece+kit

[Alvinized52]

Get POWERSTOP pads... GAME CHANGER!!!

[Poiseuille]

I have two of these from Griots Garage, they reach right between the spokes and clear the rotors, clean the inside of the wheel in a couple minutes.

[SanchoDivine]

I didn't find the sprays to be worth using. I used a whole bottle of Sonax and still have to clean my wheels with the trusty bucket of water and brush.

I actually found the best way to clean my wheels is to use a bucket of soft water along with this cheap duster that I got from Target

[IMG]https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram...96398336_n.jpg[/IMG]

After cleaning, I leave the car parked for a while to ensure everything dries before driving and the wheels stay clean for a while. If you drive while the wheels and rotors are wet then all that brown rusty water will be all over the place.

Example of the results