Autoglym Clean Wheels = Win

Tom|Nbk · 16 Mar 2008 at 18:53

My alloys were caked in baked on brake dust and just looked pretty dull, so this afternoon I set about work with a toothbrush and a bottle of this stuff and a whole load of elbow grease

. I was amazed at how much brake dust was lifted up and how effective it is. Anyone else used this stuff?

My alloys were washed with a sponge/soap in this picture so they were as clean as soap could get them

This is after the Clean Wheels application

Also can I use Collinite 476S wax on the alloys or is there a particular product for waxing alloys?

Luseac · 16 Mar 2008 at 18:59

The place where I work at weekends sells autoglym and I get 20% staff discount so use it all the time. The clean wheels stuff is excellent, I think autoglym also do a product which protects the alloys from any further dust. I'm not sure what it's called though, something like Alloy wheel cleaner/sealant. Not sure though.

Just purchased some of the Autoglym High defination wax the other day too, can't wait to try that out

Awesome wheels Tom, I really need to get a set for my focus...

Burned_Alive · 16 Mar 2008 at 19:01

Yes, i've used clean wheels, but i thought it was terrible at removing baked on dirt. Actually, i found it to be pretty useless. However the dirt on your wheels looks fairly light, so probably why you found it ok.

Mark A · 16 Mar 2008 at 19:02

lucasade1 said:
Awesome wheels Tom, I really need to get a set for my focus...

Same here, they put my 15" wheels to shame

.

going to order some of that wheel cleaner.

Tom|Nbk · 16 Mar 2008 at 19:02

Yea guess it depends how bad the baked on dirt is. Seems the person who had them before didn't clean them much

Burned_Alive · 16 Mar 2008 at 19:05

Chances are the fact you used a toothbrush and a lot of elbow grease had more effect on how well they came out, rather than the actual cleaning product.

Tom|Nbk · 16 Mar 2008 at 19:07

Burned_Alive said:
Chances are the fact you used a toothbrush and a lot of elbow grease had more effect on how well they came out, rather than the actual cleaning product.

Not sure tbh. Soap and a toothbrush didn't shift any of it. Decided I needed some divine intervention so went and got this stuff from Halfrauds.

kirbrot · 16 Mar 2008 at 19:07

i hate the focus ST wheels, I have to spend as long on them as i do on the rest of the car.

The collinite 476 will be fine, I use Poorboy's wheel sealant on mine.

DannyW · 16 Mar 2008 at 19:07

are steam cleaners any good for removing baked on brake dust??

Tom|Nbk · 16 Mar 2008 at 19:08

DannyW said:
are steam cleaners any good for removing baked on brake dust??

Doubt they would shift any tbh you really need some cleaning product and a lot of work with a toothbrush

Phate · 16 Mar 2008 at 19:08

Your hose is alive and i trying to make a very sly escape without you noticing!

DannyW · 16 Mar 2008 at 19:09

how does it get baked on so well in the first place?

Tom|Nbk · 16 Mar 2008 at 19:10

Phate said:
Your hose is alive and i trying to make a very sly escape without you noticing!

......

Tom|Nbk · 16 Mar 2008 at 19:11

DannyW said:
how does it get baked on so well in the first place?

Heat?

Not sure really I guess if you don't give your alloys good enough treatment it just sticks and stains. Probs years of build up on my alloys before I got most of it off. Just a few tar spots to tend to tmo

schnipps · 16 Mar 2008 at 19:14

Just use wonder wheels and a jetwash first, the autoglym alloy wheel sealant is pants. I get it quite cheap from wholesalers, about 2.60 a tin, used it once and it made the wheels harder to bloody clean. The wheel cleaners i have found are tatt, just use the full on acid that is wonder wheels.

Tom|Nbk · 16 Mar 2008 at 19:15

Will try the wonder wheels next time I clean the car

Not sure what sealent to use till then.

Burned_Alive · 16 Mar 2008 at 19:20

schnipps said:
Just use wonder wheels and a jetwash first, the autoglym alloy wheel sealant is pants. I get it quite cheap from wholesalers, about 2.60 a tin, used it once and it made the wheels harder to bloody clean. The wheel cleaners i have found are tatt, just use the full on acid that is wonder wheels.

Think Wonder Wheels is actually Alkaline based, best thing with all these wheels cleaners (acid or akaline) is not to use them regularly, get the wheels clear of dirt, then polish/seal them properly, to stop dirt sticking and wash regularly to avoid build-up. Regular use of acidic or akaline cleaners will damage the lacquer.

Phil W · 16 Mar 2008 at 20:21

The only thing i don't like about Clean Wheels is how acidic it is.

They have brougth a new one out now, which isn't anywhere near as acidic as the Clean Wheels stuff is

Mark A · 16 Mar 2008 at 20:26

Phil W said:
The only thing i don't like about Clean Wheels is how acidic it is.

They have brougth a new one out now, which isn't anywhere near as acidic as the Clean Wheels stuff is

Yeah Ive just seen this stuff on ebay, is it any good?. Says its more suited to chrome, polished alloy tho so might not be as effective on lacquer finishes.

Might try the wonder wheels stuff, its made not far from where i live actually.

schnipps · 16 Mar 2008 at 20:30

Burned_Alive said:
Think Wonder Wheels is actually Alkaline based, best thing with all these wheels cleaners (acid or akaline) is not to use them regularly, get the wheels clear of dirt, then polish/seal them properly, to stop dirt sticking and wash regularly to avoid build-up. Regular use of acidic or akaline cleaners will damage the lacquer.

Aye, using WW all the time is bad crack, will rot your alloys. I use it once a month and use quite a lot when i do. To be honest as long as you jet wash it all off properly and dont leave it on longer then 5 mins it wont do anything nasty, does the job though.