What is your favorite wheel cleaning tool?

I

imported_Ronin

New member
What do you guys use? What is most effective? Currently I use an old wash mitt (works well I suppose), but am thinking of trying something new. Any suggestions?
 
I use Griots wheel cleaner, let is sit for 5 min. rinse it off, wheel is clean..no need for manual cleaning as long as I do this once a week.



If and when I do let it go for longer than a week, I use an old wash mitt. I have a wheel brush, but they never get dirty enough to justify it.
 
I've used Brad B's recommendation of a foam ended bottle brush....works great! Allows me to get in all the little spokes and even behind the wheels.
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by Brad4rdHay [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>I too have used Griots wheel cleaner. Good but Ef-Hi is much better for dirty wheels and rinses off easier [/b]</blockquote>
Brad, I like to test products, where is this sold, (and is that an acronym for the brand?)

Thanks
 
Only on cool wheels and rinse well, very well at first.



I use a hard brush on the tires and a soft brush on the wheels at first with a wheel cleaner either Meguires or other Wal Mart best. Then I wash them again with mit and car shampoo.



As long as the clear coat does not get messed up brake dust should be easy to remove. Even easier if you wax/polymer them once in a while.



At least once a year you should remove the wheel and clean the inside as well and coat with a wax/polymer.



The pain is getting in and around the lug nut openings for that I use a kitchen glass sponge on a stick. It compresses and fits into tight openings well.



Tip when you do your wheels, do the wheel wells and any suspension components.



Also when all wheels complete I rinse the driveway around the vehicle before beginning to wash it.
 
If you are refering to me, the product i like to use is Eiman Fabrik Hi-Intensity cleaner. (many here use the acronym EF=eiman fabrik). It is a strong, safe non-acid cleaner, that like i said, is much better than the Griots. Also works great as a tire cleaner too. I do like the Griots garage three finder detail mitt alot for wheels and highly sugest that you try em out.
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by Brad4rdHay [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>If you are refering to me, the product i like to use is Eiman Fabrik Hi-Intensity cleaner. (many here use the acronym EF=eiman fabrik). It is a strong, safe non-acid cleaner, that like i said, is much better than the Griots. Also works great as a tire cleaner too. I do like the Griots garage three finder detail mitt alot for wheels and highly sugest that you try em out. [/b]</blockquote>
Yes, I have the 3-finger mitts, have yet to use them (new cars don't produce alot of brake dust at first...)

Where can I find this "EF" product?
 
Are you kidding? My 2001 330i dusts worse than my other car, which has racing pads on! Not to mention the wheels are a PITA to clean thoroughly!



I use car wash (Simple Green if I REALLY have to, which I havent yet), lots of water, an OXO wheel brush, and LOTS of elbow grease.
 
I have never seen worse brake dust than on the 330i. The discs are oversized and the front ones dust worse than the others. I noticed that even after cleaning the wheels, there was still embedded particles. I ended up using some Armour All Wheel cleaner (not recommended for regular use) for about a min and scrubbed with an Oxo brush. Rinsed thoroughly, dried and then used AIO with foam finger pads. Since then I use EF HI or Amazing Roll Off and a tiny tad of a brush with Oxo brush and they come clean very easily. Yesterday I just sprayed with water and dried with a towel and they came clean, so I think the AIO really helps!



H
 
The EF HI is really good and rinses off well. Compared to the Griot's wheel cleaner, I think that I'm 50/50. I just use the freebie sponge that Griot's includes (but you have to buy a sprayer head unlike CMA which includes one with the HI).

Frankly, I switch between the 2, but lean towards the HI when the wheels are really dirty. But the Griot's smells better to me.

HI also works well as a general purpose cleaner. My wife works in a warehouse and her PC gets horribly yucky. A couple of squirts on a cotton towel and <strong class='bbc'>SHAZAAAM[/b] a new-looking computer!
 
Anyone have tips or pointers for cleaning the inside walls of the rim without taking the wheel off. I use Brad's suggestion of foam tipped bottle cleaners with decent success.... just wondering what else might be out there for those w/out a garage.



Steve
 
You could jack up the car, put in on jack stands, and clean the wheels without taking them off, but that's probably not what you meant. ;)
 
I use a diaper or other towel and a tongue depressor to get the hard to reach area's on my wheel. Wheel brushes are to big for the slots inbetween my 5 point "star" wheel.
 
Cleaning wheels? Argh....



I first brush off what I can with a pretty soft wheel brush. Then, I use a foam paint brush for the sides of the spokes. I use old cotton socks to reach in back of the spokes and the hub. I also use a clean paint brush for the detailed parts, and a toothbrush for the finger-squeezing areas. Then for the inside of the wheel, I use a home-made thing... a wooden chopstick wrapped with those yellow/green 3M sponges, tied together with a rubber band.



After I wash, I drive the car up a ramp, get under it, and wipe off the brake dust that I couldn't reach before with a moistened, cheap shop towel.



This is the best I can do without removing the wheels.
 
haha, BW we can really freak out my neighbors if you come over and clean your wheels with sponge and chopstick and I use the diaper and popsicle stick :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top