Detail advice needed

squeak93 · Jan 19, 2009

I'm no pro by no means, I do not have a buffer or polishing tools. What I need is a way to clean the inside of my wheels. They are nasty. I half ass attempted to clean them by hand a week ago when I did my calipers and wheel wells. Well, u can imagine how that ended. Now I really need to get them clean. They are driving me crazy esp with the wheel wells and brakes looking so good. What can I do? I need a reasonably cheap solution. I have air tools, drills and such. Is there an attachment I can buy to buff them clean? Do I use very very light sand paper to clean the inside then re buff it? How do i attemt this. I have chrome finish on the outside obviously so thats very easy to clean. I have some never dull and it seemed to make them look better but won't get the "big" chit off of them. There seems to be a bit of rust and corrosion that u'd expect from a car the was daily driven and a bit neglected over time......

Ideas? remember, average joe here with above average handyman skills. Not a pro, but a reasonably smart cat. I can build my own stuff, work on everything, just not sure what to use here, never been worried about how "clean" my stuff was till now. Guess I'm getting old.

GettinThere · Jan 19, 2009

Maybe get a mitt and only use it on (the inside of) your wheels?

I rotate my wheels every oil change, at 5000 miles. With the wheels off, I use Simple Green to wipe the inside of my stock bullit-type wheels, they look ok. There's probably better stuff to use, but I've never pursued it further.

Good luck.

streethorse · Jan 19, 2009

I just cleaned some major gunk out of my daughters Honda wheels.
Try a good amout of WD-40 and a wire brush or steel wool and rags.
That should break it up, then go with soap and water.

Matt's 03 GT · Jan 19, 2009

Just get a proper wheel cleaner.

I use Wheel acid diluted 10 to 1 for my stock bullets and you can eat off of them after i am done! It just works through the brake dust and you can wipe it off with a mit and some soap.

Check first to be sure the product you are buying is safe for Chrome and you should be fine... IIRC Megiuars has a product that will work just fine!

squeak93 · Jan 19, 2009

Will it eat the rust spots on the. I imagine the spots are from salt and such. I used simple green non diluted the first time, it got the dirt off but they still look like chit. I know they will prob never look brand new again, but was hoping for a bit more.

isjoining · Jan 19, 2009

stay away from wheel cleaners that are acidic.

I also use the EZ detail brush to clean the inside of the wheels without having to take it out.

if the inside already is clean but still needs to look better, you can try using a product called Metal Rx. You can do it by hand or buy an attachment polishing ball for the drill and use that.

http://www.obsessivedetail.com/metalrx.html

tag4car · Jan 19, 2009

if you have all chrome OEM 03/04s hit it with aircraft remover and 0000 steel wool, i did this and it's awesome Terminator FAQs , if they aren't all chromed spray the inside with a heavy coat of bug&tar remover, (Tarminator by Stoner IMO) get a mesh wrapped sponge and some meguiars hot rims all wheel and go to town on it. As far as the wheel well area, Stiff brush, same wheel cleaner, let/wipe dry. spray down with some trim detailer/accent dressing

mustang50v8 · Jan 19, 2009

i just took a bottle of simple green and a brush and some elbow grease...both the stockers and my FR500's came out great

tag4car · Jan 19, 2009

Ok, you're going to need to stop the rust asap.
I suggest using Loctite Consumer Retail Products | Product Detail or Loctite Consumer Retail Products | Rust Treatments to neutralize the active corrosion process

But are you sure it is rust?
I believe you're wheels are aluminum, Brake dust can be misleading in heavy layer and look alot like rust, Chalky orange color or dry graphite color

squeak93 · Jan 20, 2009

It may not be rust, but just heavy deposits of salt and road grime. Just looks bad. They are NOT OEM.... but fobras instead. Only chrome on the outside Inside looks to be steel/alum... (terrible at telling metal apart, would assume alum) I just want them to look showroom clean as This is a weekend/nice weather only car and no need to look the way it does.

The wheel wells are already done, beautiful too. Thanks 04sleeper for that one.

04sleeper · Jan 23, 2009

squeak93 said:
The wheel wells are already done, beautiful too. Thanks 04sleeper for that one.

tag4car · Jan 23, 2009

squeak93 said:
Inside looks to be steel/alum... (terrible at telling metal apart, would assume alum)
The wheel wells are already done, beautiful too. Thanks 04sleeper for that one.

Got a magnet?

Detail advice needed

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tag4car

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squeak93

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