Wheel Cleaner
- Thread starter Nanu
- Start date
I have bought both Dragon's Breath and Bilberry. The process, which I've used from 6 months ownership onwards, to clean them and keep them clean is quite straightforward - maybe I'm doing something right for a change! After initial protection, any dust really does just fly off, but I always do a contact wash with the wheels, I never just power wash them with Bilberry. Despite the adverts/videos, I don't believe that's enough cleaning power.
Probably up to twice a year (I suppose I'm talking about November then April-ish sort of times, before each season starts), take the wheels off, and give them a really good clean using DB with plenty of brush agitation, then power wash off. I use two brushes, a standard bottle brush-type one, quite big so it will reach the back of the barrel if the wheels are on the car, with soft bristles and one detailing brush, again, reserved only for wheel duties - dreadlock style. Then I do a lighter wash with Bilberry (make sure all the DB stuff is gone is the motivation here) again using those two brushes and this time with the wheel-dedicated wash mitt. I have another brush for round the edges of the tyre but you could even use an old shoe polishing brush - I seem to have amassed loads of those and do occasionally use them. All washes use the two bucket method.
As I bought a second set of wheels this year, the process then varies but I'll give you the long version - but with the admission that I did not do the polishing stage on my new wheels, because they were brand new.
On the original 224s, I then polish the wheels using a dual action polisher for the barrel (obviously the face makes this difficult so that is by hand). Wipe down as ever with polish and repeat if you're not satisfied. Once all the polish is off, apply a wheel sealant. I bought the Chemical guys Wheel Sealant about two years ago and still have a third of the pot left. Just follow the instructions and buff off after 20 mins. A couple of coats of wheel shine (I'm still using the Endurance gel from Meguiars you can get from Halfrauds), wiping down the wheel rim afterwards and that's it. Repeat x 4. If you are going to polish the wheels it will take longer but I did the new wheels in about 45 mins working time per wheel (not including the time you leave the wheel sealant or the tyre shine to dwell).
Washing the wheels is a doddle now - so much so that I can afford to leave the brake dust on for weeks, probably a month or more in reality between standard washes of the wheels.
So, in summary, I only use the DB for a deep clean, then protect the wheels. Services washes, I use Bilberry diluted 5:1 and it still works perfectly every time. For those doing, say, more than 5k miles per year, the protection, at least annually, must be worth it. I do about 6k annually at current rates.
I got the inspiration/method from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gYre5Rn-YE&index=2&list=PLWLjv7NsMIEK0-7fVLm3l5wIhFS1a-Ehv before which I was a true beginner! The guy in the vid, Greg, is a bit of a douche, but his method is good
Current wheels are piss-easy to clean, so a service wash takes marginally longer then it takes to run the buckets of water! No more than 10 mins per wheel including washing the arches (long brush). Service wash removes the DB steps, the polishing steps and the wheel removal steps - but still uses two buckets and all of the brushes with diluted Bilberry.
Final thought - if you're going to do the deep clean method, you might as well seal the wheel arch inners/liners and give the caliper and suspension struts a good clean whilst you're in there.
Stevo
Probably up to twice a year (I suppose I'm talking about November then April-ish sort of times, before each season starts), take the wheels off, and give them a really good clean using DB with plenty of brush agitation, then power wash off. I use two brushes, a standard bottle brush-type one, quite big so it will reach the back of the barrel if the wheels are on the car, with soft bristles and one detailing brush, again, reserved only for wheel duties - dreadlock style. Then I do a lighter wash with Bilberry (make sure all the DB stuff is gone is the motivation here) again using those two brushes and this time with the wheel-dedicated wash mitt. I have another brush for round the edges of the tyre but you could even use an old shoe polishing brush - I seem to have amassed loads of those and do occasionally use them. All washes use the two bucket method.
As I bought a second set of wheels this year, the process then varies but I'll give you the long version - but with the admission that I did not do the polishing stage on my new wheels, because they were brand new.
On the original 224s, I then polish the wheels using a dual action polisher for the barrel (obviously the face makes this difficult so that is by hand). Wipe down as ever with polish and repeat if you're not satisfied. Once all the polish is off, apply a wheel sealant. I bought the Chemical guys Wheel Sealant about two years ago and still have a third of the pot left. Just follow the instructions and buff off after 20 mins. A couple of coats of wheel shine (I'm still using the Endurance gel from Meguiars you can get from Halfrauds), wiping down the wheel rim afterwards and that's it. Repeat x 4. If you are going to polish the wheels it will take longer but I did the new wheels in about 45 mins working time per wheel (not including the time you leave the wheel sealant or the tyre shine to dwell).
Washing the wheels is a doddle now - so much so that I can afford to leave the brake dust on for weeks, probably a month or more in reality between standard washes of the wheels.
So, in summary, I only use the DB for a deep clean, then protect the wheels. Services washes, I use Bilberry diluted 5:1 and it still works perfectly every time. For those doing, say, more than 5k miles per year, the protection, at least annually, must be worth it. I do about 6k annually at current rates.
I got the inspiration/method from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gYre5Rn-YE&index=2&list=PLWLjv7NsMIEK0-7fVLm3l5wIhFS1a-Ehv before which I was a true beginner! The guy in the vid, Greg, is a bit of a douche, but his method is good
Current wheels are piss-easy to clean, so a service wash takes marginally longer then it takes to run the buckets of water! No more than 10 mins per wheel including washing the arches (long brush). Service wash removes the DB steps, the polishing steps and the wheel removal steps - but still uses two buckets and all of the brushes with diluted Bilberry.
Final thought - if you're going to do the deep clean method, you might as well seal the wheel arch inners/liners and give the caliper and suspension struts a good clean whilst you're in there.
Stevo
I've previously used a number of wheel cleaners, the latest being BMW'S own, which whilst OK didn't give the results I wanted (brand new look with zero scrubbing).
I thought I'd give Bilt Hamber a go as the reviews seemed on the whole pretty good. Tried it this morning and the results are awesome. One generous spray, leave for 5 mins and pressure-wash off and the good as new. Best look I've achieved to date. Thoroughly recommend this especially if you're like me and want top results from minimum effort.
I thought I'd give Bilt Hamber a go as the reviews seemed on the whole pretty good. Tried it this morning and the results are awesome. One generous spray, leave for 5 mins and pressure-wash off and the good as new. Best look I've achieved to date. Thoroughly recommend this especially if you're like me and want top results from minimum effort.
stevengude
Member
I find bilberry great for use with a brush. I bought based on advice that it was non acidic and prevented wheel paint from bubbling.. how true that is i dont know.