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Topic: Cleaning alloy wheels. (Read 1616 times) |
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ron_c
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Why did I buy this thing????
 
Posts: 119
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Cleaning alloy wheels.
« on: Sep 18th, 2004, 10:49pm » |
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This may be a bit extreme for those who pamper their motors but, If there is anyone else out there like me who only cleans cars and wheels when the get really dirty or inherits (buys) uncared for lumps, this may be useful.
Try Brick Acid or patio cleaner from B&Q or Wykes at about a fiver a gallon and apply with a tooth brush, preferably someone else's. leave to soak for a few minutes and wash/brush off with lots of water. It may be necessary to scrub well if there is a heavy build up but keep going untol it all feels smooth. Wear plastic gloves 'cos it can sting a bit!
Make sure that you hose the brake disks well and preferably go for a run to dry them off.
It's active ingredients are Hydrochloric acid and detergent and I've been using it on the asme wheels for 7 or 8 years with no ill effects but it may depend on the quality of the wheels. It also cleans a lot of stuff off paintwork. My newish (as it was then) Granada Scorpio got showered with iron filings and rain and it was the only thing that dissolved it off without scratching and it caused no noticable ill effects so I've used it ever since and a 1 gallon tub lasts for ever.
Do not use it on any bare metal although it does clean copper quite well!
Please note that I've never had a problem but cannot promise that no-one else will. I've still got may granny wheels and they are as good now as when I bought the car 190k ago. (apart from damage inflicted by tyre fitters.)
Ron
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Eric_R
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Cosworth Owner 1998 - 2006 & site co-founder
Posts: 1792
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Re: Cleaning alloy wheels.
« Reply #1 on: Oct 5th, 2004, 11:30am » |
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AHHHHH 
Brick acid? Patio cleaner?
It's much better to take time to wash the wheels regularly. See http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/alloys.htm
Once the protective layer of lacquer has been removed from the metal of the wheel the appearance is dulled and it's much harder - if not impossible - to keep them clean. Prevention is better than cure. 
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ron_c
Full Member
Why did I buy this thing????
Posts: 119
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Re: Cleaning alloy wheels.
« Reply #2 on: Oct 5th, 2004, 7:37pm » |
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I was wondering how long it would take for anyone to come back on this one. I can understand your comments but the only thing I can suggest is to try it. I only buy sad examples because at 50k per year, it's what works best, so I need something that works. On my last grannie, it cleaned off all of the 'pitting' and at nearly 200k the wheels were the best part of the car. I doesn't damage the laquer or paintwork but it can be a bit startling on brake disks, but then, so can water if you leave it.
Honestly, it shifts just about anything and leaves only what you care about. when you're doing 2k per week and working 80 hours a week, cleaning is a when absolutely necessary job and you need something that works. I does lots of things that it doesn't say on the tin but I've never seen it do any harm.. to my car at least.
Oh! and it doesn't damage the ozone layer.
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Badboytunes
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Re: Cleaning alloy wheels.
« Reply #3 on: Oct 7th, 2004, 11:46am » |
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I use "wonder Wheels". I have used it on all types of alloys with no probs at all. Not sure if it works with chrome wheels. Im a one of those sad b*ggers who cleans their wheels every week . I can recommend an "Oral B" toothbrush to reach those difficult spots as well
Cheers Nick
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wumpster
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Re: Cleaning alloy wheels.
« Reply #4 on: Oct 7th, 2004, 12:37pm » |
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you must be doing the same as me executive travel as i cover 1500 per week going to london ect not had a car yet that matches the scorp for comfort and that includes the mercs had them before me scorp Where are you give ya a flash on me travels
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Badboytunes
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Re: Cleaning alloy wheels.
« Reply #5 on: Oct 7th, 2004, 4:45pm » |
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Soz m8y, no executive travel for me. I just go to and from work (about 4 miles each way) and thats it. I just like to have a clean car but i have been slipping l8ly
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ron_c
Full Member
Why did I buy this thing????
Posts: 119
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Re: Cleaning alloy wheels.
« Reply #6 on: Oct 7th, 2004, 5:29pm » |
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Happily I no longer do the huge mileage but I can sympathise with wumpster - strewth! London from Cheshire - you're a saint - or mad! I used to be a contract programmer until I became too old to employ and the old grannies were my home. They seem to thrive on careful neglect and never fail to get you home. The trouble is, there just isn't another motor that provides anything like the same all round sense of well being and we, the lucky ones, should be eternally grateful theat the rest of the world hasn't discovered them.
I just wish that the scorpio, well mine at least, was anything like as reliable as the old grannies. Still, the same sentiments apply as it does keep going even if at any one time only half of the gadgets work. Never mind, I don't really use them anyway.
Back to the path cleaner. Has anyone tried it yet?
Ron.
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simonmd
Junior Member
Another GSO person!
Posts: 80
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Re: Cleaning alloy wheels.
« Reply #7 on: Nov 5th, 2004, 2:21pm » |
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My Tip. Don't bother with strong acid or expensive 'specialist' alloy cleaners. I use Mr Muscle with Orange Oven Cleaner! Sounds silly but this stuff will shift anything, is kinder to the environment (ahh!) and you don't even need to wear gloves. Just use with a kitchen sponge with a scrubber on one side and they'll come up like new. Added bonus is your wheels will smell nice and orangy!
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Richard
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Re: Cleaning alloy wheels.
« Reply #8 on: Nov 6th, 2004, 11:04am » |
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on Nov 5th, 2004, 2:21pm, simonmd wrote:| Added bonus is your wheels will smell nice and orangy! |
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Have you got some sort of smelly wheel fetish then Simon,lol.
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simonmd
Junior Member
Another GSO person!
Posts: 80
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Re: Cleaning alloy wheels.
« Reply #9 on: Nov 6th, 2004, 7:54pm » |
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