Best way to clean your wheels?

subec3b · 05-19-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saintor

I wax my wheels along with the body 4x/year. I also use the same polymer-based wax to get rid of the yellowish deposit that sticks hard on my 161s.

I thought you are supposed to use soap to get rid of stains and wax to protect your car? When you enter an automatic car wash, have you ever wondered why soap is applied to your car at the very start and wax is applied at the last step? Anyone who knows how to wash a car will know you need to use soap to clean everything off the car before you can wax it.

I guess when you send someone to a penalty box for a month the player should be smarter when he gets released. I guess that is not the case here.

Envious Eric · 05-19-2010, 03:31 PM

wow, a little hostility between a couple here huh?

wash wheel, apply wheel cleaner, agitate and reapply as necessary to clean wheel, rinse thoroughly, dry, use a sealant on wheels

wash weekly, or daily (the nightly trick works VERY well!!!)

as for the adhesive, try some goo gone for automotive use, rubbing alcohol, even claying might work.

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 05-19-2010, 03:47 PM

On the topic of cleaning wheels...

Who has found the best brush to buy to clean the inside of the wheel?

I used to have the EZ detail brush but they keep breaking.

chemgeek · 05-19-2010, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPSlick

On the topic of cleaning wheels...

Who has found the best brush to buy to clean the inside of the wheel?

I used to have the EZ detail brush but they keep breaking.

I use the EZ detail brush for far reach. I use a lambskin four finger mit from Griot's Garage for the surface of the wheels. Both are excellent products and make life easy.

Envious Eric · 05-19-2010, 05:03 PM

the EZ detail brush is NOT a scrub brush, but rather an agitator! you need the right brushes for the right process! I hear more and more people trying to use lots of pressure and snapping the brush, I'll admit I have too - twice! but since using less pressure, its worked the same and lasts longer!

Bimmerdriver17 · 05-20-2010, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leaker

Soap and water. Same stuff you use on your car. As long as you do it every week or so it will never stain.

+1

Just use a different sponge on your car, than what you use on your wheels.

1N54E92 · 05-20-2010, 09:15 AM

P21S wheel cleaner, P21S wheel polish, and Poorboy's wheel wax.

x5to330i · 05-20-2010, 11:29 AM

Interesting tidbit for you,

If you have any tar from the roads on your rims you can use a little bit of starter fluid on a rag to get it off easy....seriously one quick swipe...gone..wouldn't do it too often though, might eat the clear coat.

hugus311 · 05-21-2010, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x5to330i

Interesting tidbit for you,

If you have any tar from the roads on your rims you can use a little bit of starter fluid on a rag to get it off easy....seriously one quick swipe...gone..wouldn't do it too often though, might eat the clear coat.

good to know

also check this out

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=388496

Olagüe · 05-21-2010, 07:24 AM

sonax yeah

cncmastr · 10-30-2013, 07:16 PM

I had some really good sucess with the new BMW wheel cleaner. I did a video review here:

Bobble · 10-31-2013, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cncmastr

I had some really good sucess with the new BMW wheel cleaner. I did a video review here:

Which I believe, unless I was lied too by the BMW parts counter, is rebadged P21s S100. You can usually source that, the P21S, cheaper. I personally use P21S Gel Wheel cleaner and have coated my wheels but I also switched to Ceramic pads when my fronts were done and really I can go weeks before the buildup occurs.

PTek Will · 10-31-2013, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jibaholic101

sonax wheel cleaner...look it up

+1 for Sonax. Strongest wheel cleaner on the market. Safe on all wheels. Safe on brakes.. not that you are aiming to spray on your brakes anyways. But if you are getting a cloudy finish, it could be the clearcoat on your wheels that is fading and may need a polish, and not the fact that you aren't cleaning your wheels properly. Pictures?

PTek Will · 10-31-2013, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

On the topic of cleaning wheels...

Who has found the best brush to buy to clean the inside of the wheel?

I used to have the EZ detail brush but they keep breaking.

Wheel woolies my friend

Rick328 · 11-01-2013, 10:02 AM

To follow this thread resurrection... A pressure washer does wonders for maintenance.

cncmastr · 11-03-2013, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobble

Which I believe, unless I was lied too by the BMW parts counter, is rebadged P21s S100. You can usually source that, the P21S, cheaper. I personally use P21S Gel Wheel cleaner and have coated my wheels but I also switched to Ceramic pads when my fronts were done and really I can go weeks before the buildup occurs.

The new BMW Wheel cleaner or the old style one where the bottle looked just like the Sonax Full Effect?

This new cleaner sprays out light purple and then turns red. P21S if I remember does not change color and sprays on light yellow / clear.

TeinBMW · 11-03-2013, 08:25 AM

I just use soap and just scrub. Always looks really good. Labour intensive but worth it.

Otruba_843 · 11-03-2013, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick328

To follow this thread resurrection... A pressure washer does wonders for maintenance.

This! I nice, powerful gas pressure washer does wonders. I have my wheels sealed with BFWD right now and I only brush clean my wheels every 3 weeks. Between those weeks, I just pressure wash them every weekend and they are about 95% clean.

Rickstir · 11-11-2013, 05:34 AM

Its a two step process to remove brake dust and keep it off the wheels for as long as possible !

First clean the wheels with sonax wheel cleaner. I've tried several and Sonax seems to be best.

Second, its about keeping the dust off and making it easier to clean the next couple of times. I use wheel wax. It seems to help for 3-4 cleanings after application. I'm able to rinse the wheels with water and get most of the brake dust off.

With BMW's it's a losing battle, but this method seems to work well for me.

tony20009 · 11-11-2013, 05:40 AM

My preferred method: let someone else do it. Whatever the do at the car wash seems to work fine, but I know wheel designs vary and some don't come clean as easily as others.

SHEEDI · 11-11-2013, 07:03 AM

i have coated my wheels with carpro dlux and they become easy to clean

pj.rodriguez · 11-12-2013, 09:22 AM

sonax full effect wheel cleaner. Get's the tough stuff out and then you can wash it with your wash soap, then detail with a MF towel to dry.

Apply a wheel sealant such as poorboys or any other that you would like. Also some people choose to opti-coat their wheels. Seems to work wonders. Hose off the brake dust rather than sit at it for an hour per wheel haha. Sealant sealant sealant!

05-19-2010, 03:31 PM	#24
Envious Eric Banned 37 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: nissan xterra, 335 soon Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: orange county, ca iTrader: (1)	wow, a little hostility between a couple here huh? wash wheel, apply wheel cleaner, agitate and reapply as necessary to clean wheel, rinse thoroughly, dry, use a sealant on wheels wash weekly, or daily (the nightly trick works VERY well!!!) as for the adhesive, try some goo gone for automotive use, rubbing alcohol, even claying might work.
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05-19-2010, 03:47 PM	#25
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3441 Rep 79,211 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	On the topic of cleaning wheels... Who has found the best brush to buy to clean the inside of the wheel? I used to have the EZ detail brush but they keep breaking.
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05-19-2010, 05:03 PM	#27
Envious Eric Banned 37 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: nissan xterra, 335 soon Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: orange county, ca iTrader: (1)	the EZ detail brush is NOT a scrub brush, but rather an agitator! you need the right brushes for the right process! I hear more and more people trying to use lots of pressure and snapping the brush, I'll admit I have too - twice! but since using less pressure, its worked the same and lasts longer!
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05-20-2010, 09:15 AM	#29
1N54E92 Colonel 81 Rep 2,046 Posts Drives: BSM F30 M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mid-Atlantic, USA iTrader: (4)	P21S wheel cleaner, P21S wheel polish, and Poorboy's wheel wax. __________________ *"Join the BMWCCA today! referral member # is 423910"* F30 328i M-Sport (current), F30 328i Luxury (retired), E92 335i Sports ( retired), E30 325 ( retired)
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05-20-2010, 11:29 AM	#30
x5to330i Erode 21 Rep 100 Posts Drives: Graphite BMW 330i--2006 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Raleigh, nc iTrader: (0)	Interesting tidbit for you, If you have any tar from the roads on your rims you can use a little bit of starter fluid on a rag to get it off easy....seriously one quick swipe...gone..wouldn't do it too often though, might eat the clear coat. __________________ 2002 BMW X5---2003 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer---1996 Ford Mustang GT---2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited---1993 Jeep Wrangler ---2006 330i---2003 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab---
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05-21-2010, 07:24 AM	#32
Olagüe Brigadier General 106 Rep 4,502 Posts Drives: 333i e92 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New York City iTrader: (0)	sonax yeah
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10-30-2013, 07:16 PM	#33
cncmastr Colonel 1590 Rep 2,411 Posts Drives: E30 M3 Cecotto, F85, G05, G07, Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Outside Atlanta iTrader: (3) Garage List 2018 X5 M [0.00] 2020 M2 CS [10.00] 2005 BMW X5 4.8is [0.00] 2006 BMW M3 [10.00]	I had some really good sucess with the new BMW wheel cleaner. I did a video review here: __________________
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11-01-2013, 10:02 AM	#37
Rick328 Second Lieutenant 40 Rep 245 Posts Drives: 2009 328 xDrive ZSP Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Quebec iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 328 xDrive [10.00]	To follow this thread resurrection... A pressure washer does wonders for maintenance.
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11-03-2013, 08:25 AM	#39
TeinBMW Lieutenant Colonel 133 Rep 1,945 Posts Drives: 2011 335xi Msport, Conv, Tech Join Date: May 2013 Location: Calgary iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW 335xi [7.00]	I just use soap and just scrub. Always looks really good. Labour intensive but worth it. __________________ \|11 335XI N55 \| M SPORT \| VRSF CP \| BMW PE \| BMS INSTAKE \| VRSF 7" IC \| MHD STAGE 2+ \| ER CP \|
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11-11-2013, 05:34 AM	#41
Rickstir Private First Class 1 Rep 131 Posts Drives: 2009 335xI Couple Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Md. iTrader: (0)	Its a two step process to remove brake dust and keep it off the wheels for as long as possible ! First clean the wheels with sonax wheel cleaner. I've tried several and Sonax seems to be best. Second, its about keeping the dust off and making it easier to clean the next couple of times. I use wheel wax. It seems to help for 3-4 cleanings after application. I'm able to rinse the wheels with water and get most of the brake dust off. With BMW's it's a losing battle, but this method seems to work well for me.
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11-11-2013, 05:40 AM	#42
tony20009 Major General 1046 Rep 5,660 Posts Drives: BMW 335i - Coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	My preferred method: let someone else do it. Whatever the do at the car wash seems to work fine, but I know wheel designs vary and some don't come clean as easily as others. __________________ Cheers, Tony ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ '07, e92 335i, *Sparkling Graphite, Coral Leather, Aluminum, 6-speed*
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11-11-2013, 07:03 AM	#43
SHEEDI Banned 602 Rep 2,703 Posts Drives: 2009 335i - Sport PKG Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i [8.50]	i have coated my wheels with carpro dlux and they become easy to clean
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11-12-2013, 09:22 AM	#44
pj.rodriguez Lieutenant Colonel 84 Rep 1,623 Posts Drives: Alpine White 128i Cabrio Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (9) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i E88 [9.00]	sonax full effect wheel cleaner. Get's the tough stuff out and then you can wash it with your wash soap, then detail with a MF towel to dry. Apply a wheel sealant such as poorboys or any other that you would like. Also some people choose to opti-coat their wheels. Seems to work wonders. Hose off the brake dust rather than sit at it for an hour per wheel haha. Sealant sealant sealant! __________________ 2008 128i E88 / Alpine White / Boston Leather Sport / 6AT / M3 Paddle Shifters / Bilstein B8 / H&R Springs / Dinan Fixed Camber Plates / BMW 335i Front Brakes / PIAA Xtreme White 4150K Angel Eyes / Rear Fogs Enabled / Cyba Air Scoops / Euro Airbox / BMW Performance Exhaust / Stubby BMW Antenna
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