Wheels need a good cleaning!

S

shirtman

New member
MIataWheels001a.jpg


MIataWheels002a.jpg




OK, so last year, after 12 years of doing it right - washing and polishing my alloys prior to putting them away for the winter - last winter I didn't. What's more, I ran too late in the season, and they were salty and dirty when I put them away :der: . Anyway, as you can see from the photos (hopefully) they now look stained and dirty and the Griots Wheel Cleaner that I typically use won't touch it. I have been trying to talk myself into thinking I should get a new set of wheels, but I really fo like the OEM wheels - I just ca;t stand them now because they look pretty bad. Anyone with suggestions as to what product I can use to bring these back?



Thanks!



Jeff
 
Meg's WB is pretty powerful stuff, or you may need to try a clay or polish to get that out. Either way it's probably gonna be a "patience is a virtue" sort of thing. At least you have wheels off so it'll be a bit easier and less of a pain on your back.
 
the wheels don't look that bad so before buying anything i would try claying and polishing first. some other products that may work gg heavy duty wheel cleaner, 3d's yellow degreaser, megs wheel brightener, one of ardex's wheel cleaners and several others.
 
Thanks guys. I think I will try some Megs WB... I'll definitely staart with some claying. Thanks. I'll post up some after shots as soon as I have a chance at them....



Jeff
 
if megs wb and claying doesn't work try giving barry theal a call he's in lancaster. he has some wheel cleaner that make wb look pretty mild.
 
LOL. I have been trying to get to Barry for a while now... He is a VERY busy man lately. He is a super guy and a very, very knowldgeable detailer. Helped me out last year with wetsanding my hood and trunk when the paint shop that I had it to could not get the clear sanded and buffed properly. In fact, I was trying to let the clear properly cure last year for a final session with him when the snow and yuck started and I had to pull the wheels off. Again, stupid me. The wheels had been degreased but not repolished, and the salt and dirt just had its way with them when I neglected to clean them up before storage. A lesson learned well at this point!



Jeff
 
Not sure.... I went to the garage in an attempt to get these things clean, and went looking for my clay..... I love that my son has found himself a job and is now living in his own apartment, but I am finding things... um.... missing. The clay was one of them. Determined to try something I used a strong dilution of simple green and a scrub brush. They look somewhat better, but still have some significant grunge. In some places, it looks like the surface has worn through? Does anyone know what the composition of the stock Miata 15" wheels are? I know they are alloys, but are they painted or powdercoated, and/or coated? THey look particualrly bad on the backside of the wheel, but they are not cleaning up particularly well. I think I have been spoiled by taking continual care of them in the past and have not faced a challenge like this with them.....



I will try to take some pics tomorrow when it is light out.



Jeff
 
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