Can these wheels be saved?

YouTookMyName

Would it be possible to get these into decent shape?

Years of dust and tar seem to be baked on, what would be the best product to use?

Any suggestions would be helpful sort of a refurb!

Thanks.

randy hickey

Absolutely!
Here's a set of alloys in even worse condition than yours, that I cleaned up recently:

Here's what we started with - likely they haven't had a proper clean in six years!



[IMG][/img]

After a quick powerwash, Autosmart Wheel Cleaner, Autosmart Tardis and finally Autosmart G101, we end up with this:

[IMG][/img]

Black_Knight

God yeah those wheels can be saved. They're in grand condition.
Mine started like this:


Gave them a wash, a couple of coats and agitation with Iron-X for breakdust (I hear iron cleans is just as good). Dried them down and applied tardis all over to remove tar spots.

georgefalls

Would Tardis not dissolve the glue holding the balance weights in place..?

Just a thought..!

Black_Knight

georgefalls wrote: »

Would Tardis not dissolve the glue holding the balance weights in place..?

Just a thought..!

Maybe if I let it sit and agitated it plenty it might. As you can see from the after pic of the inside of the rim, the old weights tape didnt even come off.

georgefalls

Black_Knight wrote: »

Maybe if I let it sit and agitated it plenty it might. As you can see from the after pic of the inside of the rim, the old weights tape didnt even come off.

I see that all right.. Just wondering if they'd still be on after a few miles down the road...:D

doc_a6_avant

Hi guys,

New to boards as of today. didnt even know there was a detailing section on here!! Just a little tip for all of the above, when using Iron X and also Tardis (or any tar remover) use the Tardis first then hit the wheel with Iron X. Brake dust deposits can be trapped under tar spots so by removing the tar first it will save you having to hit the wheel a second time with the Iron X. Its pretty pricey so save as much of it as you can :-)

Hope this helps and ill be putting up an intro post as soon as i get a chance

Shane

Black_Knight

Well those wheels were cleaned about 5-6 months ago. About 6-7k miles ago, and the weights are still holding strong.

YouTookMyName

Cheers for all the reply, a bank holiday and looking for decent products don't mix.

So bought carplan wonder wheels and autoglym intense! tar remover.



Worked out ok, tons of elbow grease and a lot of swearing....











Wasn't arsed doing the back of the spokes in the first 2, but made a good go of it in the other 2. impossible to remove weight tape.

Painted drum for good measure.

stimpson

Just a warning on Wonder Wheels - it's essentially dilute Hydrochloric acid. It cleans the wheels, but will make **** of lacquer in no time. My old man used to use it on his jeep and the surface of his alloys are now in bits.

Turtle Wax ICE Wheel Cleaner is pH neutral, changes colour when it's time to wash off and gives excellent results. Smells absolutely horrible, but gets the job done.

Chimaera

Must have been crappy lacquer. I've been using Wonder Wheels for a long time and my wheels are fine.

stimpson

Chimaera wrote: »

Must have been crappy lacquer. I've been using Wonder Wheels for a long time and my wheels are fine.

Do a search for "wonder wheels" lacquer damage and you'll see plenty of cases where it has caused damage. It may be that his wheels had some chips in the lacquer to begin with, but they ended up a dark grey, heavily pitted and impossible to clean.

EDIT: Here's what I mean http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=85185

dredg

This stuff and this stuff and this stuff make cleaning wheels a breeze.