Alumnium Wheels

[tkr128]

I have just a quick question. I bought a Viking Brake Dust Brush for my wheels, but on the back it says "Not for use on clear-coated mag wheels." The wheels on my Accord are clear-coated aluminum. But i was just wondering if I'm not supposed to use the brush on a clear-coated rim of one type, will it hurt to use them on my clear-coated rims? Thanks!

 

[Preachers Sheets]

Your stock rims are pretty durable. As long as the brush is soft I doubt your rims are in any type of danger. I use a second brush (bough two); the same as the one I use to shampoo my interior for my rims. It's wicked soft and it takes a good amount of rubbing to get a small amount of brake dust off. I rather use a weaker brush and work harder than those stiff brushes.

 

[Onehole]

...never needed to use a brush to clean the alloys on my Boxster. P21S Wheel Cleaner and Griots 3 finger sponge. I wash the outside and insides once a week...only a 15 minute job max.



About twice a year I give my wheels a coat of Klasse SG, that helps to keep them clean.

 

[tkr128]

The brake dust on the Accord is almost as bad as on most BMW's. I've tried a bunch of wheel cleaners and while the outside of the rims are clean, the insides are still covered in brake dust and it looks horrible. I bought a couple brushes to help clean them. The Eagle One Wheel Scrubber does not work, the GripTech Deluxe Wheel Brush does not reach into the spokes easily. The Viking brush is the only one that will reach into it. I haven't used it yet though because of my concern. I've also applied Zaino on them and it seems to help keep the dust from sticking a bit, but after a week of driving, the rims are still unbelieveably dirty.



The brush isn't very stiff, but I'm still a little concerned about the whole "Do not use on clear-coated mag wheels." Any other thoughts on the brush?



Here's a picture of a clean wheel.

 

[debric]

It was a precaution we used back before all wheels essentially became clear coated. The new packaging no longer has the warning.

 

[Preachers Sheets]

About the inside of the rim...... best you can do is squirt the inner rim with some cleaner and scurb it the best you can. The only way I have found to keep them really clean is to remove them. I'll just let the inside of the rim stay like it is for now. I de-mount the rims quite often in the spring/summer. I also plan to purchase drilled rotors and aftermarket pads which really really reall cut down on the brake dust.



My Camaro is worse than BMW's! It is truly horrible. One day of driving, 75 miles and light braking and you can wipe a good amount of brake dust off of the rim. It's a clean silver rim where I wipe and the rest looks like a charcoal color rim. Really annoying.



About layering Zaino or wax on yours rims....... why even bother if your going to use a rim cleaner, your going to strip everything after your first cleaning unless you wash your rims with water. :nixweiss

 

[shaf]

Once you get the wheels fairly clean and then just need to maintain it during regular washes maybe all you need is one of those 1" foam paintbrushes you can get for under $0.50. I've found this tool good for lightly rubbing in hard to reach areas because it's small and not as limited in angle as a toothbrush, and the foam rubs more evenly than brush bristles. It's not heavy duty, but it's small and cheap to replace.

 

[tkr128]

It was a precaution we used back before all wheels essentially became clear coated. The new packaging no longer has the warning.

Would I be correct to assume that it is perfectly fine to use?

About layering Zaino or wax on yours rims....... why even bother if your going to use a rim cleaner, your going to strip everything after your first cleaning unless you wash your rims with water.

I stoped using wheel cleaners when I found that they didn't clean them very well. Sorry I forgot to mention that.

Originally posted by 4DSC

Once you get the wheels fairly clean and then just need to maintain it during regular washes maybe all you need is one of those 1" foam paintbrushes you can get for under $0.50. I've found this tool good for lightly rubbing in hard to reach areas because it's small and not as limited in angle as a toothbrush, and the foam rubs more evenly than brush bristles. It's not heavy duty, but it's small and cheap to replace.

I'll have to try that out. Thanks!

 

[Brodydog]

The brake dust on the Accord is almost as bad as on most BMW's...

...About twice a year I give my wheels a coat of Klasse SG, that helps to keep them clean.

My vote is with Klasse SG, too! I find that it not only sheds brake dust a bit, but I can also clean the wheels with a jet of water followed by a quick wipe. I've tried all kinds of combinations. With a couple coats of SG, I don't really need wheel cleaner, so long as I stay on top of squirting away the brake dust.