Wheel cleaning problem

S

_Si_

Member
 Cheshire
Good afternoon folks.
Got a problem and I wondered if anyone else had come across this (and what to do about it)
I've been cleaning the wheels on my E89 with Meguiar's Wheel Brightener with sparkling results. BUT after cleaning and rinsing the wheels thoroughly the hubs are becoming tarnished and are going a rust colour! this is really noticeable against the alloys and white paint.
Has anyone else had this problem and what do y'all think is the best remedy?
Cheers
Si
 
I had rusty hubs.... sanded them and coated with Hammerite

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They now look as good as new :thumbsup:
 
Yup, almost all BMW's will do it after a short while - one of my biggest gripes with them. That and the wheelnuts.

I keep meaning to do mine.
 
Prestige? lol.


This happens on pretty much all cars apart from those who buy disks that are treated - which is rare as its so expensive to do. Also, if you're going to paint them - get hammerite spray, there's nothing that spells half-arsed like paint strokes.
 
Yep was gonna do mine but could not release the wheel when bolts removed. Dont they have ever been off. Need a couple of axle stands before i start hitting them with a rubber hammer or similar. :?
 
marypoppins said:
Yep was gonna do mine but could not release the wheel when bolts removed. Dont they have ever been off. Need a couple of axle stands before i start hitting them with a rubber hammer or similar. :?
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Make sure you put a few blobs of copper grease between the hub & wheel (just on the high spots) when you replace it, that will prevent anything like this in the future
 
I was told by manager at tyre fitters not to use copper based grease with alloy wheels as over time they would react. Does anyone know if this is true and what alternative to use.
 
Jbtco said:
I was told by manager at tyre fitters not to use copper based grease with alloy wheels as over time they would react. Does anyone know if this is true and what alternative to use.
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Not heard of that before, used coppergrease on the hubs of the Z3 when fitting the new alloys the other week, don't think it will do any harm, BMW alloys are notorious for sticking to the hub,

I honestly think rusty hubs are partly down to using aggressive wheel cleaners. Never had a problem with my first 1 Series but the second was a 4 month old demo and all the hubs were bright orange, when I mentioned it to the salesman he said they use strong cleaners to make the job easier. The Zeds hubs are like brand new after 6 months no trace of rust.

I never use wheel cleaners but prefer to use sealants and wash with a shampoo.

Tim.
 
Jbtco said:
I was told by manager at tyre fitters not to use copper based grease with alloy wheels as over time they would react. Does anyone know if this is true and what alternative to use.
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Copper reacting with aluminium?! Pish. You'll only get galvanic corrosion (and therefore adhesion) if you don't put copper grease on the alloy/steel mating surfaces. As said, most manufacturers will buy cheap discs to cut down production costs, which will inevitably rust. I painted the rear bells on my Z4M silver and they're fine, i've done this on all my cars and never had an issue.
 
Steve220 said:
Jbtco said:
I was told by manager at tyre fitters not to use copper based grease with alloy wheels as over time they would react. Does anyone know if this is true and what alternative to use.
Click to expand...

Copper reacting with aluminium?! Pish. You'll only get galvanic corrosion (and therefore adhesion) if you don't put copper grease on the alloy/steel mating surfaces. As said, most manufacturers will buy cheap discs to cut down production costs, which will inevitably rust. I painted the rear bells on my Z4M silver and they're fine, i've done this on all my cars and never had an issue.
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A poster on this thread on Pistonheads takes a different view. Living in Shetland we have plenty of salt water around :D . will be taking the CSLs off for the winter anyway.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=969689&mid=59080&i=20&nmt=Copper+grease+on+bolts&mid=59080
 
Seems to be a controversial topic I am an accountant so know nothing about the subject just don't want to damage my shiny new CSLs , managed to keep a set immaculate on my first Z back in 2006 and got a great price for them ( should of course have kept them but didn't realise how much I would miss the Z and that it would lure me back to the fold) :-) xxx
 
You won't damage them. You're preventing galvanic corrosion by adding a high temperature grease based barrier between the 2 surfaces.
 
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