Cleaning my BBS's

[stevo_sideways]

HI Lads,

Ive finally got around to doing a proper cleaning up job on my 325 but the problem im having is that normal wheel cleaners just arent taking off the heavily built up grime and brake dust on my wheels.

Does anyone have any tips for what is good to get my wheels sparkling again??

Thanks,

Stevo

[eko]

steam cleaner maybe?

[stevo_sideways]

steam cleaner maybe?

Tried it mate but it just isnt working. I think i need some sort of industrial detergent but im worried about damaging the alloys if it is too harsh.

[ian332isport]

That Wonder Wheels stuff is supposed to be pretty good for shifting heavy deposits, but I would only use it occasionally to shift stubborn stains.

Ian.

[Widge]

Wonder wheels, with a bottle brush for between the spokes and a scrubbing brush for the front of the wheel.

[rare]

The serious way to do it is to take them off and clean them off the car. I wash mine at least once a week, spend about 10 minutes on each wheel, with a paint brush/sponge Worth it though. A few weeks ago I took them all off and polished them by hand, came up a treat.

Took this rather dodgy photo on my phone, but gives you an idea.



Its a lot of work I know, but it is worth it.

[ian332isport]

Good work

That's one very clean cross spoke. Give yourself a good pat on the back

[Kedge]

Just had mine refurbed so just cleaning them with what i use on the car, dead easy is you keep on top of them. Don't really like using these wheel cleaners, just give your wheels a proper good clean then clean them regularly.

[Bob_S]

bit of cream cleaner and a toothbrush works well, I'm refurbing mine as we speak so mine are going to be lookin good!

[moonraker]

I used Wonder Wheels (WW), and their brush is very good too. My wheels were quite dirty but nothign serious. Actually, I found WW even a bit strong ... and a friend advised me to dilute it ... but I was already using it in diluted form!). Great value, remember to soak before brushing.

Nice pix Rare but I am surprised how many people have great alloys but keep the ugly, black balancing weights on the outside of the wheels!!? Surely when you balance the wheels you could ask to stick them inside? Just a tip.

[Treeman612]

Good point about wheel balancing weights - my wheel people tell me that unless an alloy is badly dented or has been seriously curbed, a good balancer can get them spot on using stick-on weights on the inside only. Apparently it takes a bit longer to get right, so some lazy wheel balancers don't bother!!

[Bob_S]

going to get my fronts done in a bit lazy arse balencers

[topspark]

Ive used flash spray with bleach with good results. Just wash wheel first then spray all over. Put some safety specks on and work the flash with bleach in with abrush. Leave for 5-10 mins and wash off . And they shpould be gleaming. Ogh forgot to mention , i took each alloy off the car to do it properly!!

lee

[rare]

Nice pix Rare but I am surprised how many people have great alloys but keep the ugly, black balancing weights on the outside of the wheels!!? Surely when you balance the wheels you could ask to stick them inside? Just a tip.

Yeah I know mate, I will get round to taking it somewhere to get it done, its just one of them things!

[astondg]

Nice pix Rare but I am surprised how many people have great alloys but keep the ugly, black balancing weights on the outside of the wheels!!? Surely when you balance the wheels you could ask to stick them inside? Just a tip.

Not just ugly but they can damage the wheel when they are taken off.

Aston

[A1BMW325iSport]

caustic soda ?

[stevo_sideways]

Thanks for the tips lads and keep any other suggestions coming.

For the moment i reckon i;ll try the Wonder Wheels, i wanted to buy that originally but forgot the name and ended up uying 4 or 5 other types of stuff all of which have been crap.

I was worried about trying the caustic soda cause i thought it might ruin the alloy.

Thanks again!!

[A1BMW325iSport]

use a mild mix of caustic it does the job, but wear gloves and goggles

i used it a while back to clean my old ford cosworth alloys

[Adammcf]

I hate cleaning mine. It usually takes as long to clean the wheels as it does to do the entire car!

[MISSY30]

My kit consist's of Autoglym alloy wheel cleaner (Don't breath it in and don't get it on anything plastic like centre cap's) a saucepan scourer pad and a heavy duty toothbrush I bought from a car show.

[Simon13]

get them refurbed and keep on top thats what i did, still brake dust free a year on!

Nothing pisses u off more when u spend all that time cleaning and theres still sh!te on them and kerb marks from some other helmet who had them before u!

[ian332isport]

Just had mine refurbed so just cleaning them with what i use on the car, dead easy is you keep on top of them. Don't really like using these wheel cleaners, just give your wheels a proper good clean then clean them regularly.

I'm with you on this one.

I have never had to use anything other than my regular car wash solution to clean my wheels. I pull them off the car a couple of times a year, and give them a good going over with tar remover and give them a good waxing.

As long as you keep on top of this, the dust just washes away without wheel cleaners or harsh chemicals. I bought my wheels about 5 years ago, and they are almost as good as the day I bought them.

Ian.

[Simon13]

ditto Ian i just use what i wash the car with comes away with the sponge great!

[AndyTouring]

Wonder Wheels to get them clean then Mer's Wicked Wheel Wax to protect them.

Works for me.

[Stevin]

Oven Cleaner .... not joking the stuff in the can, I used it too clean my old wheels, works like a charm, u just spray it on, and le it foam for a bit, then wash off, and scrub with a tooth brush or something, whack some more on... spray off after a little while, and wipe off the grunge