Porsche Boxster owners...got a wheel/brake cleaner Q
- Thread starter ka1srs
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chevyguy28
New member
Every Boxster I've seen has painted calipers, either black or red depending on the model. In any case...
My car has brembos on them, of which the fronts are painted. I use the same car wash for the paint as I do for the wheels. If you keep up with your wheels, you will never need anything stronger than this. Rotors of course rust almost immediately after they get wet. Driving for a short period of time solves this. Good luck.
BTW, your car should stop wonderfully now! Let me know how they do.
My car has brembos on them, of which the fronts are painted. I use the same car wash for the paint as I do for the wheels. If you keep up with your wheels, you will never need anything stronger than this. Rotors of course rust almost immediately after they get wet. Driving for a short period of time solves this. Good luck.
BTW, your car should stop wonderfully now! Let me know how they do.
I use P21S GEL on my Porsche wheels and calipers (though my calipers aren't anodized). P21S wheel cleaner is recommended by the German car manufacturers, and I have never had a problem with it causing damage to the finish (have used it for many years). It's not a strong acid formula like some others. P21S is intended for painted, polished or anodized wheels. RobD
Brad B
New member
Any non-acidic cleaner will work fine. I have used Eimann Fabrik All Purpose Cleaner (my personal favorite wheel cleaner) on my Boxster wheels at least twice weekly for three years (you do the math 
) and they look brand new still!
) and they look brand new still!
Brad B
New member
I seal my wheels with Meguiars #20 Polymer sealant twice a year on the inside.
I didn't pick #20 specifically other than I literally have a gallon of it. Any quality sealant will work. The idea is to fill the pours and add some slickness.
I use a small amount of EFHI and a lot of water when I wash the wheels so I don't remove the #20 so quickly.
My favorite Boxster wheel cleaning tool, by the way, is a foam-ended bottle brush, the kind with a bunch of little foam "fingers" on the end. It reaches way back into the wheel and around the brake. I can clean all the wheels in less than 5 minutes. Cost $2 at WalMart.:up
I didn't pick #20 specifically other than I literally have a gallon of it. Any quality sealant will work. The idea is to fill the pours and add some slickness.
I use a small amount of EFHI and a lot of water when I wash the wheels so I don't remove the #20 so quickly.
My favorite Boxster wheel cleaning tool, by the way, is a foam-ended bottle brush, the kind with a bunch of little foam "fingers" on the end. It reaches way back into the wheel and around the brake. I can clean all the wheels in less than 5 minutes. Cost $2 at WalMart.:up
Brad B
New member
Irvin said:
This is it.
Brad B
New member
gs3_4me said:
Well, if you have noticed negative effects I would stop immediately and examine the situation. It shouldn't be the HI. What brush or sponge are you using? Try further dilution, or use a milder auto soap. Chrome is the easiest to clean.
I used auto soap on my chrome Jag wheels and simply touched up with quick detailer as needed. Chrome needs the least cleaner of any wheel coating so maybe tone it down a bit.
imported_Intel486
New member
gs3_4me said:
are they clearcoated?
if not, are you polishing the chrome?
The Chrome (a year and a half years old) just seems to have lost it's depth a bit, and almost seems "dry". Kinda hard to explain, but the rims are super clean.
I've been just using a separate Chenille Wash Mitt after cleaning the rest of the car. I spray some cleaner, let it sit 30 seconds, agitate the area, and rinse well.
Also, I try to polish the rims every 2 months with Never Dull. I applied AIO and SG 3 months ago when I fully detailed the car. I have some Luster Lace that I was thinking of applying as well.
I'll try to take some pics over the weekend.
I've been just using a separate Chenille Wash Mitt after cleaning the rest of the car. I spray some cleaner, let it sit 30 seconds, agitate the area, and rinse well.
Also, I try to polish the rims every 2 months with Never Dull. I applied AIO and SG 3 months ago when I fully detailed the car. I have some Luster Lace that I was thinking of applying as well.
I'll try to take some pics over the weekend.
Brad B
New member
I never let the cleaner sit on the rims. Just no reason to do so, especially if you clean at least weekly. Chrome is so slick and has vewer pores so the dudt sticks less. It comes off without requiring soaking. The less soaking the better on the finish.
I would use a quality chrome polish "one time" to be sure to bring the chrome to as good a luster as possible. Don't rub hard. Rub in one direction only. This way you know where you stand.
The SG is a good idea. Give it a coat or two of protection. I used a cheap polymer wax like NuFinish. Use HI sparingly from here on out. It takes very little cleaner of any kind on chrome wheels. And consider a shampoo instead. It's even gentler and unless you have strong brake residue will often work on your wheels. It did on my Jag.
I would use a quality chrome polish "one time" to be sure to bring the chrome to as good a luster as possible. Don't rub hard. Rub in one direction only. This way you know where you stand.
The SG is a good idea. Give it a coat or two of protection. I used a cheap polymer wax like NuFinish. Use HI sparingly from here on out. It takes very little cleaner of any kind on chrome wheels. And consider a shampoo instead. It's even gentler and unless you have strong brake residue will often work on your wheels. It did on my Jag.
chevyguy28
New member
A related note then...
I have polished stainless steel exhaust tips, then look almost like chrome.
I use never dull frequently on them because it's the only thing that has been able to remove the black grime that accumulates there week to week. Is this harsh for the them?
I have polished stainless steel exhaust tips, then look almost like chrome.
I use never dull frequently on them because it's the only thing that has been able to remove the black grime that accumulates there week to week. Is this harsh for the them?
Brad B
New member
Perfect for stainless steel which is very hard and durable.
Wenol and Semichrome will also pull the dirt out of the pores quite well.
Wenol and Semichrome will also pull the dirt out of the pores quite well.
chevyguy28
New member
Thanks Brad.
Some guys on a mercedes forum told me they use simple green at full strength to clean their wheels. I advised them strongly against it because it is so strong and will hurt the clearcoat. Even the manufacturer's instructions say not to let it sit on bare metal too long. What other arguments should I raise? So far they don't believe me that it could be bad.
Some guys on a mercedes forum told me they use simple green at full strength to clean their wheels. I advised them strongly against it because it is so strong and will hurt the clearcoat. Even the manufacturer's instructions say not to let it sit on bare metal too long. What other arguments should I raise? So far they don't believe me that it could be bad.
Brad B
New member
I totally ruined a set of clearcoated Speedline wheels on my Audi over the coarse of a year with SG. The change was so slow so I didn't notice the damage occuring. I used all the proper cleaning techniques just the wrong product! By the end of a season I had to change a tire from the trunk and #@&%$@ I couldn't believe the difference in the shine/gloss of the clearcoat.
I contacted the manufacturer and talked to many others and each one stated they would NEVER use that product on their wheels.
I guarantee you, I have proof, that it WILL eat away at your clearcoat or paint and leave a dull, lifeless finish. I had to pay to have the wheels stripped and refinished.
It's not worth the risk. Why clean your paint with a chemical that was designed to clean industrial and farm equipment? It's just too harsh!:nono
I contacted the manufacturer and talked to many others and each one stated they would NEVER use that product on their wheels.
I guarantee you, I have proof, that it WILL eat away at your clearcoat or paint and leave a dull, lifeless finish. I had to pay to have the wheels stripped and refinished.
It's not worth the risk. Why clean your paint with a chemical that was designed to clean industrial and farm equipment? It's just too harsh!:nono
BoxsterCharlie
New member
...which I read about a while back on PPBB (986board.com) is that (with the black calipers), they allegedly tend to go from black to gray pretty quick with certain cleaners.
I've used P21S wheel cleaner for over a year, and I love it. But I admit my calipers look a bit gray--but I'm not sure how much they may have changed, if at all, since new. Of course, it would be different you have the "S" calipers, which are painted red. Haven't heard anything negative in this regard...and I know lots of Boxster owners, everyone uses P21S.
Good luck and enjoy your new stopping power!
-Charlie
I've used P21S wheel cleaner for over a year, and I love it. But I admit my calipers look a bit gray--but I'm not sure how much they may have changed, if at all, since new. Of course, it would be different you have the "S" calipers, which are painted red. Haven't heard anything negative in this regard...and I know lots of Boxster owners, everyone uses P21S.
Good luck and enjoy your new stopping power!
-Charlie