Steam Your Wheels?

mbmbm&w · 11-09-2008, 06:39 PM

I did a site search and came up empty. I've been seeing the commercials for the small steam cleaners - some recommend auto usage. I'd like to give one a try on my alloy wheels. I also did search of the internet and saw some for, some against. Does anyone have any experience? I'm looking at the small home units, not the monster industrial units.

Pyrat 2 · 11-09-2008, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbmbm&w

I did a site search and came up empty. I've been seeing the commercials for the small steam cleaners - some recommend auto usage. I'd like to give one a try on my alloy wheels. I also did search of the internet and saw some for, some against. Does anyone have any experience? I'm looking at the small home units, not the monster industrial units.

You'll absolutely destroy the finish with a steamer.

There are much better ways to clean the wheels that won't ruin the finish.

Jescar335 · 11-09-2008, 08:48 PM

If not steam, what alternatives can you suggest?

mbmbm&w · 11-09-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jescar335

If not steam, what alternatives can you suggest?

The bucket, BMW wheel brush, microfiber towels, and a low, comfortable stool. Followed by a good waxing.

normtrum · 11-09-2008, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jescar335

If not steam, what alternatives can you suggest?

This will work for a variety of wheels. Believe me...I have tried everyting. I wouldn't use steam however.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=morr

Dmitriy@AUTOcouture · 11-09-2008, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbmbm&w

I did a site search and came up empty. I've been seeing the commercials for the small steam cleaners - some recommend auto usage. I'd like to give one a try on my alloy wheels. I also did search of the internet and saw some for, some against. Does anyone have any experience? I'm looking at the small home units, not the monster industrial units.

After steaming, will you serve your wheels with a side of broccoli?

montreal red · 11-09-2008, 10:53 PM

usually steamers are used for carpet or other interior upholstery... never heard of steam being used for the exterior of the car.

positiveions · 11-09-2008, 11:59 PM

good 'ol elbow cranking is the way u do it; meaning a bucket, some foam brushes, a towel, and a brush for the tire.

riceqx2 · 11-10-2008, 04:18 AM

Bug and Tar remover works excellent.

Spydeputy · 11-10-2008, 05:10 AM

I use my power washer f/ time to time. but i use a wide tip, so the psi is much lower (ie- safe). if i take the wheel off i9t looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor.

island111 · 11-10-2008, 05:59 AM

A little simple green on COLD wheels and some soap and a rag after/ Works fine and will never hurt the rotors or wheels

Hoothout · 11-10-2008, 09:13 AM

what works perfect is at this car cleaning place i go to, its a machine that cleans your wheels, im not sure what it is, but it looks big and expensive

chazzz · 11-10-2008, 10:14 AM

First, I use spray-on wheel cleaner (Turtle Wax F1, no acid) and wait 3 minutes or so, then I use 1300 psi water pressure to wash my wheels. Fast and easy...it removes most of brake dust. Then use the brush (about 30 seconds) and that's it.

11-09-2008, 06:39 PM	#1
mbmbm&w 6407-5 3 Rep 145 Posts Drives: 2008 E91 Montego Blue & Terra Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cottage City, MD iTrader: (0)	Steam Your Wheels? I did a site search and came up empty. I've been seeing the commercials for the small steam cleaners - some recommend auto usage. I'd like to give one a try on my alloy wheels. I also did search of the internet and saw some for, some against. Does anyone have any experience? I'm looking at the small home units, not the monster industrial units. __________________ My other car is a '64 Rambler American 440 Convertible.
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11-09-2008, 08:48 PM	#3
Jescar335 New Member 0 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2009 335i X-Drive Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	If not steam, what alternatives can you suggest?
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11-09-2008, 10:53 PM	#7
montreal red chris 278 Rep 12,144 Posts Drives: White Boat Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (31)	usually steamers are used for carpet or other interior upholstery... never heard of steam being used for the exterior of the car. __________________ Current: 2013 F10 M5 & 2016 Mini JCW 2013 GLK350 (gone), 997.1 GT3RS (gone), 2009 WRX STI (gone), e92 M3 (gone)
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11-09-2008, 11:59 PM	#8
positiveions Lieutenant General 961 Rep 11,722 Posts Drives: 19 Tacoma, 16 Golf wagon Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upland, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2019 Toyota Tacoma [0.00] 2016 VW Golf Sports ... [0.00] 1998 BMW M3 [0.00] 1990 BMW 325is [0.00]	good 'ol elbow cranking is the way u do it; meaning a bucket, some foam brushes, a towel, and a brush for the tire.
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11-10-2008, 04:18 AM	#9
riceqx2 Private 1 Rep 67 Posts Drives: 335XIC... Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	Bug and Tar remover works excellent.
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11-10-2008, 05:10 AM	#10
Spydeputy Brigadier General 205 Rep 3,523 Posts Drives: 2015 F23 M235i/2008,E90,335xi Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: The County, Maryland iTrader: (19) Garage List 2017 X5 M Sport Pac ... [0.00] 2015 M235i, F23 [0.00]	I use my power washer f/ time to time. but i use a wide tip, so the psi is much lower (ie- safe). if i take the wheel off i9t looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor.
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11-10-2008, 05:59 AM	#11
island111 Private First Class 7 Rep 138 Posts Drives: 335 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA East Coast iTrader: (0)	A little simple green on COLD wheels and some soap and a rag after/ Works fine and will never hurt the rotors or wheels
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11-10-2008, 09:13 AM	#12
Hoothout Colonel 59 Rep 2,799 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW E92 328i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Brentwood, TN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 e92 328i [0.00]	what works perfect is at this car cleaning place i go to, its a machine that cleans your wheels, im not sure what it is, but it looks big and expensive __________________ 2008 SG E92 328i iDrive,Premium Pkg,Sport Pkg,Cold Weather pkg,Black Dakota Leather,GP Thunder 8500k cornering,drl,and foglights, ,Blacked Out Grills,Painted Reflectors,Shadowline Emblems,Hardwired Beltronics V-995, AFE Intake, Muffler Delete, Berger tune
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11-10-2008, 10:14 AM	#13
chazzz Captain 116 Rep 712 Posts Drives: 2018 Chrysler 300S Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southern California iTrader: (4)	First, I use spray-on wheel cleaner (Turtle Wax F1, no acid) and wait 3 minutes or so, then I use 1300 psi water pressure to wash my wheels. Fast and easy...it removes most of brake dust. Then use the brush (about 30 seconds) and that's it. __________________ SOLD - 2007 BMW 335i Sedan, Montego Blue with Lemon seats, AluFelgen CS7 rims & Continental DW tires CURRENT - 2018 Chrysler 300S, Crystal Granite Metallic.
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