Cleaning the hard to get spaces on multi-piece wheels

Kandy OrangeZ · 10-07-2011, 05:54 PM

Ive got a set of 20" Venaci Spirits. Where the face/spoke meets the Lip, there is excessive brake dust built up. A huge Pain to get to! What do you guys do to in between such a small area?
Also, what do you use to polish the wheels? Ive got some water spots that WILL NOT come off.

Waiz · 10-07-2011, 06:11 PM

First off, nice wheels!

You just have to use a soft chamois cloth and try to get as much dirt off as possible.

For the water spots I normally use quick detailer and it removes all the spots

XLR8SN · 10-07-2011, 06:56 PM

For multi piece rims you will need to take a heck of a lot more time to clean them. Invest in air cans. Look at this website for products that will help you remove the water spots and help to "seal" the metal against brake dust.

Chrome polish, aluminum polish, stainless steel polish, metal sealant, Wolfgang metal polishes, Wenol metal polishes, Rolite metal polish, Flitz metal

You might need to invest in a power ball type polisher to generate the heat and RPM's needed to help remove really stubborn water spots.

Also make sure that there is no clear coat on your rims before you use some of these polishes. It will "rip off" the coating.

I have used Wenol on my HRE rims and that did seem to work well.

azn370z · 10-07-2011, 07:03 PM

Get a brush, you can buy a quality one off the g37 forum, it's been tested to not scratch wheels and cost about $15. Honestly I use spray wax on my wheels because my wheels are 3 piece and there are a lot of places for paste wax to get stuck. I would use turtle wax to remove the water spots.

fuct · 10-10-2011, 08:58 AM

stop using hard water and wash in the shade, that will eliminate the spots.

kenchan · 10-10-2011, 10:52 AM

i use a boar's hair brush with long handle to wash my 3pc wheels and then use my shopvac in blower mode to blast the water out.

there's some other tools like this you can use:
Two Micro Fiber Wheel Wands - Cleaning Tools - Wheels & Tires - Car Care - Griot's Garage

Wheel Cleaning Kit - Cleaners - Wheels & Tires - Car Care - Griot's Garage

Kandy OrangeZ · 10-11-2011, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuct

stop using hard water and wash in the shade, that will eliminate the spots.

They were on the wheels when i got them, i use whatever water the carwash offers, dont really have a choice

Baer383 · 10-11-2011, 06:52 PM

I just use my air compressor and blow the wheels dry,but first I take a towel and soak up the water behind the wheel (in the middle).

1325 · 10-11-2011, 07:27 PM

Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner and a pressure washer should do the job, then dry using a blower.

fuct · 10-12-2011, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kandy OrangeZ

They were on the wheels when i got them, i use whatever water the carwash offers, dont really have a choice

so you are using a high powered hard water sprayer on that beautiful car? ouch

kenchan · 10-12-2011, 10:09 AM

i think he's using an auto-wash..

no high pressure water for me.

Kandy OrangeZ · 10-12-2011, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuct

so you are using a high powered hard water sprayer on that beautiful car? ouch

Its factory paint, its not going anywhere.

fuct · 10-13-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kandy OrangeZ

Its factory paint, its not going anywhere.

true, but i bet your clear coat has tons of scatches. to each his own....

kenchan · 10-13-2011, 11:49 AM

this thread went from informative to who gives a crap.

fuct · 10-13-2011, 03:30 PM

pretty much

10-07-2011, 05:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kandy OrangeZ Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Jackson Posts: 268 Drives: 2010 370Z sport Rep Power: 14	Cleaning the hard to get spaces on multi-piece wheels Ive got a set of 20" Venaci Spirits. Where the face/spoke meets the Lip, there is excessive brake dust built up. A huge Pain to get to! What do you guys do to in between such a small area? Also, what do you use to polish the wheels? Ive got some water spots that WILL NOT come off. __________________ If you even dream of beating me, you better wake up and apologize.

10-07-2011, 07:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
azn370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,722 Drives: z34 - R1 Rep Power: 489	Get a brush, you can buy a quality one off the g37 forum, it's been tested to not scratch wheels and cost about $15. Honestly I use spray wax on my wheels because my wheels are 3 piece and there are a lot of places for paste wax to get stuck. I would use turtle wax to remove the water spots. __________________ 2010 k23 H&R sport springs / Spc rear camber arms / SSR SP1 / Berk cbe / Varis cf lip / Nismo S-Tune side skirts

10-11-2011, 06:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
Baer383 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lawrenceville,Ga Posts: 4,293 Drives: My foot up your azz Rep Power: 29	I just use my air compressor and blow the wheels dry,but first I take a towel and soak up the water behind the wheel (in the middle). __________________ 2013 ZL1 754 rwhp 747 rwtq

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10-07-2011, 06:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Waiz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 9,262 Drives: Z33 & GE8 Rep Power: 459	First off, nice wheels! You just have to use a soft chamois cloth and try to get as much dirt off as possible. For the water spots I normally use quick detailer and it removes all the spots

10-07-2011, 06:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
XLR8SN Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Hawaii Posts: 363 Drives: Nissan Rep Power: 15	For multi piece rims you will need to take a heck of a lot more time to clean them. Invest in air cans. Look at this website for products that will help you remove the water spots and help to "seal" the metal against brake dust. Chrome polish, aluminum polish, stainless steel polish, metal sealant, Wolfgang metal polishes, Wenol metal polishes, Rolite metal polish, Flitz metal You might need to invest in a power ball type polisher to generate the heat and RPM's needed to help remove really stubborn water spots. Also make sure that there is no clear coat on your rims before you use some of these polishes. It will "rip off" the coating. I have used Wenol on my HRE rims and that did seem to work well.

10-10-2011, 08:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 23	stop using hard water and wash in the shade, that will eliminate the spots.

10-10-2011, 10:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	i use a boar's hair brush with long handle to wash my 3pc wheels and then use my shopvac in blower mode to blast the water out. there's some other tools like this you can use: Two Micro Fiber Wheel Wands - Cleaning Tools - Wheels & Tires - Car Care - Griot's Garage Wheel Cleaning Kit - Cleaners - Wheels & Tires - Car Care - Griot's Garage

10-11-2011, 07:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
1325 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 287 Drives: 10 370Z BLK 6M Rep Power: 14	Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner and a pressure washer should do the job, then dry using a blower.

10-12-2011, 10:09 AM	#11 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	i think he's using an auto-wash.. no high pressure water for me.

10-13-2011, 11:49 AM	#14 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	this thread went from informative to who gives a crap.

10-13-2011, 03:30 PM	#15 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 23	pretty much