How to Clean Alloy Wheels

[3djam]

Hi,

I wonder how you guys clean your alloys? I have 108s on my z4 and I'm keen to keep them in good nick (I've noted all the corrosion issues related to these wheels).

Autoglym do an alloy wheel cleaner. Is this any good?

What do you recommend?

Thanks in advance for all replies!

 

[ksher]

Autoglym wheel cleaner cannot be used on split-rim wheels. Use BMW Wheel Rim Cleaner.

 

[3djam]

Thanks for the tip!

Why can't Autoglym be used?

 

[ksher]

Thanks for the tip!

Why can't Autoglym be used?

The instruction on the Autoglym said it cannot be used on split-rim wheels.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm a big fan of the Meguiars NXT range of cleaning products.

Their Hot Rims wheel cleaner is particularly good and is safe for split rims they say.

http://www.meguiarsshop.co.uk/?gclid=CPK71b298ZoCFZwA4wod5BjZJA

 

[gannet]

I'm a big fan of the Meguiars NXT range of cleaning products.

Their Hot Rims wheel cleaner is particularly good and is safe for split rims they say.

http://www.meguiarsshop.co.uk/?gclid=CPK71b298ZoCFZwA4wod5BjZJA

I tried that on my wheels and it didnt touch the brake dust

 

[gers]

I'm a big fan of the Meguiars NXT range of cleaning products.

Their Hot Rims wheel cleaner is particularly good and is safe for split rims they say.

http://www.meguiarsshop.co.uk/?gclid=CPK71b298ZoCFZwA4wod5BjZJA

billy,how was the evo 8 as a car ?

 

[Bradders]

This: http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/blackfire-gel-wheel-and-tyre-cleaner-wheels.html ...

... this ... http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/ez-detail-wheel-brush-wheels.html and ...

... this ... http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/poorboys-wheel-sealant-wheels.html ...

... would all be excellent additions to your wheel-care collection IMHO

Megs Hot Rims is quite acidic IIRC (??) :|

 

[srhutch]

I'm a big fan of the Meguiars NXT range of cleaning products.

Their Hot Rims wheel cleaner is particularly good and is safe for split rims they say.

http://www.meguiarsshop.co.uk/?gclid=CPK71b298ZoCFZwA4wod5BjZJA

I tried that on my wheels and it didnt touch the brake dust

that's because you dont clean it enough.

I dont use any cleaner on mine, use a wash mit and clean the inners everytime I wash the car with Megs shampoo, and 2 coats of wax every three months seem to do the trick.

 

[ali_b]

Bilberry Wheel cleaner. No acids, widely used by Pro's over on Detailingworld.

http://www.valetpro.co.uk/Products/Exterior+Cleaners/Item1184

 

[Anonymous]

I'm a big fan of the Meguiars NXT range of cleaning products.

Their Hot Rims wheel cleaner is particularly good and is safe for split rims they say.

http://www.meguiarsshop.co.uk/?gclid=CPK71b298ZoCFZwA4wod5BjZJA

billy,how was the evo 8 as a car ?

Magic - they're great cars - especially the MR version that I had - that's the one to go for. Not a bad word to say about it really - if you fancy some 4WD, turbo silly BHP action then it's an obvious choice.

I had mine for two years then decided I wanted to go back to RWD and something that would cost a bit less to run. I owned an S2000 before the EVO and loved that but had always wished they'd made a Coupe version of it so the Z4 Coupe seemed like an obvious choice - and it was as I'm really enjoying driving it

 

[Anonymous]

I'm a big fan of the Meguiars NXT range of cleaning products.

Their Hot Rims wheel cleaner is particularly good and is safe for split rims they say.

http://www.meguiarsshop.co.uk/?gclid=CPK71b298ZoCFZwA4wod5BjZJA

I tried that on my wheels and it didnt touch the brake dust

Needs a good bit of elbow grease with a decent wheel brush if you have really bad brake dust

 

[gannet]

I'm a big fan of the Meguiars NXT range of cleaning products.

Their Hot Rims wheel cleaner is particularly good and is safe for split rims they say.

http://www.meguiarsshop.co.uk/?gclid=CPK71b298ZoCFZwA4wod5BjZJA

I tried that on my wheels and it didnt touch the brake dust

Needs a good bit of elbow grease with a decent wheel brush if you have really bad brake dust

thread with a picture on it with my question...

and I did use a fair bit of elbow grease - maybe I need a different brand of grease :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

and I did use a fair bit of elbow grease - maybe I need a different brand of grease :lol:

I use the Scottish stuff - seems to work better

 

[Ian_Mac]

Thumbs up for the Bilberry here also, all I use on mine. Just leave it a few mins to work it's magic. Smells nice and once diluted goes a long way.

 

[shabba]

I use a tooth brush, old one of course. Wonder wheels is good.

 

[flimper]

Autoglym wheel cleaner cannot be used on split-rim wheels. Use BMW Wheel Rim Cleaner.

Stupid question coming up What is meant by 'split rims'? Do I have these on my M? If so, I've been using the Autoglym wheel cleaner on them, is this a problem?

 

[Ian_Mac]

Dont worry yours aren't split rims. Our wheels are 1 piece where split rims are 2 or 3 sections which can be taken apart. Split rims can usually be identifed by the small bolts round the rim which hold the different sections together. Many Z4's have the 108 style split rims.

 

[Zed_Steve]

I clean mine weekly just with soap and water, then a wipe over with the chamois. Would only use alloy wheel cleaning products if there was stubborn grime to move.

 

[Mr Whippy]

I'd stay away from anything acidic, as if you have stone chips/nicks in the lacquer and these products get under, even if left to linger on a short while, they will attack the finish badly over time. Ie, even if you apply it once, 6 months later the product that got under the lacquer and never dried/removed/rinsed down, will have done damage.

That is why you should not use it on split rims at all really, the acid gets between the two parts and held there by surface tension, so it doesn't rinse off or dry off easily...

Dave