Cleaning alloys: products/accessories/recommended cleaning regime

M S E

I want to become more knowledgeable about the process of cleaning alloys properly-(BBS CH 19 Inch- Silver)
I would really appreciate
(a) opinions about the products I am thinking of buying (any changes/additions welcome)
-One of the following-Chemical Guys Wheel Guard /Collinite 845/ ODK Momentum/CarPro Reload (These products may be more suitable for me as I wouldn’t know enough about the prep work/curing of sealants 12 mths +).
-Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel
-Bilt Hamber Korrosol Fall Out Remover
-CarPro TarX
-Long-handled/ Short-handled brushes/Mitt
-Microfibre Cloths

(b) advice regarding a step by step guide to cleaning alloys.

As always thank you for the help.

Curran

Out of the protection mentioned, ODK Momentum would be my choice; however none of the ones mentioned will ever come close to the performance of the nano/ceramic coatings; which offer excellent durability and ease of cleaning. CarPro Reload would be the easiest to apply given its a spray on, buff off product

A wheel cleaner will strip away any of the ones youve mentioned quite quickly, and re-applying protection to every square cm of the wheel surface that frequently will become painful; thats why the coatings are so suited to wheels and trims; not always the right choice for paintwork.

Wheel Woolies are a firm favourite among anyone who has used them, as the set of 3 brushes covers 95% of any wheels style/configuration. Some do like using a dedicated wash mitt for cleaning wheels, but most will find a brush does a good job.

Microfiber Cloths, I assume you are querying in terms of what to use to buff off the chosen protection; that will be down to the choice of protection you go with.

Personally the best approach is to coat the wheels. Wash them regularly with a wheel cleaner, at a mild dilution (as they are being cleaned regularly and coated) and every 3rd or 4th wash to use Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel on them to remove the fallout and keep the wheels in tip top shape.

Cannon_fodder

I'd second the wheel woolies. Just recently got a set and they reach the inside on the alloy pretty easy. I use Auto Glym alloy protector but it is not easy to apply. I use the W7 GTechniq tar remover, the jury is still out on that product.

M S E

Thanks for the responses.

-In relation to a good wheel cleaner what would ye recommend?

-I would prefer to get a ceramic sealant on them alright but I would be apprehensive about doing it myself. Is there anywhere that I could get sealants (12mths +) applied?

-Finally was thinking of something like the following regime- would appreciate thoughts on it-
Rinse wheel thoroughly-Apply alloy cleaner to wheel including barrels-Allow to dwell-Use long handled brush for barrels-Use short handled brush for spokes-Maybe detailing brush or similar for face of wheel/wheel lug holes-Clean tyre-Rinse both thoroughly-Apply fall out remover (if needed)-Dwell/Agitate with detailing brush-Rinse thoroughly-Dry with a different microfibre cloth-Apply sealant-Cure-Remove with a microfibre cloth-Apply tyre dressing.

PGE1970

The best advice that I can give you is to get Wheel Woolies.

I got a set recently from Detailing Shed having used Meguiars and other brands before that. They are more expensive but are brilliant. They are also good to use in other hard to reach parts.

I use BH alloy cleaner about once every 3 to four washes and 50 cal for the others. Both work fine for me. I'm a complete amateur so if the product works, I'm happy.:D

M S E

PGE1970 wrote: »

The best advice that I can give you is to get Wheel Woolies.

I got a set recently from Detailing Shed having used Meguiars and other brands before that. They are more expensive but are brilliant. They are also good to use in other hard to reach parts.

I use BH alloy cleaner about once every 3 to four washes and 50 cal for the others. Both work fine for me. I'm a complete amateur so if the product works, I'm happy.:D

I am definitely going to get the wheel woollies/BH alloy cleaner. I am still putting the list of products together so sound for the advice. Two of the biggest mistakes I made starting out were not getting the alloys sealed day one and using polishing cloths instead of wheel woollies. I have put scratches on them because I rubbed the tar onto parts of the alloys with the cloths. Was sickened because they are only a few months old-looked so nice when they were in the box day one-but sure you live you learn. If I had my time back I would have researched how to look after alloys properly before I put them on for example sealants/accessories/products/regime. I am getting a person to look at them Monday-he was familiar with the problem with the scratches when I mentioned it to him- so finger crossed. The plan then is to get them sealed for 12mths+ (hopefully he can do them or know someone who can), then start using wheel woollies/products. If I can't get them sealed 12 mths+ I will use ODK Momentum or CarPro Reload.

Do you use 50cal as your normal alloy cleaner when not using BH Alloy Cleaner or do you have another alloy cleaner?

PGE1970

M S E wrote: »

I am definitely going to get the wheel woollies/BH alloy cleaner. I am still putting the list of products together so sound for the advice. Two of the biggest mistakes I made starting out were not getting the alloys sealed day one and using polishing cloths instead of wheel woollies. I have put scratches on them because I rubbed the tar onto parts of the alloys with the cloths. Was sickened because they are only a few months old-looked so nice when they were in the box day one-but sure you live you learn. If I had my time back I would have researched how to look after alloys properly before I put them on for example sealants/accessories/products/regime. I am getting a person to look at them Monday-he was familiar with the problem with the scratches when I mentioned it to him- so finger crossed. The plan then is to get them sealed for 12mths+ (hopefully he can do them or know someone who can), then start using wheel woollies/products. If I can't get them sealed 12 mths+ I will use ODK Momentum or CarPro Reload.

Do you use 50cal as your normal alloy cleaner when not using BH Alloy Cleaner or do you have another alloy cleaner?

Yes, 50cal every 3 out of 4 washes.

You won't regret Wheel Woolies!!

M S E

Last week I got the scratches removed from the alloys (there are a few left but can only be fixed by powder coating them at a later date-they don't need powder coating yet). He mainly used the following products- 3M Perfect-it III Fast Cut Plus Compound (50417),3M Perfect-it III Extra Fine Compound (80349),3M Perfect-it III Ultrafina SE Polish (50383)

I got the calipers resprayed as well as getting the hubs resprayed silver. I bought the woollies and I am very happy with them-thanks to all for the advice on them.

I am using Halfords microfibre cloths at the moment to dry the alloys.
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/sponges-brushes-buckets/halfords-microfibre-cloths-x-10

Was just wondering which microfibre cloths ye would recommend for specifically drying alloys?

Cannon_fodder

Use this myself and it works very well. I ordered a few bits here myself and delivered to Addresspal which was cheaper (and that includes wheel whoolies)
http://www.in2detailing.co.uk/products/towels-cloths-and-wash-mitts/drying-towels/16-x-16-mini-twist-grey-korean-microfibre-car-alloy-wheel-drying-cloth.html