Question about XLE wheels

[BlueFusion6851]

My XLE wheels are beginning to get this caked on 'dirt' and some of it almost looks like a varnish, and I'm curious, what would YOU use to get it off?
I was thinking of Brake parts cleaner, or an abrasive rubbing compound of some sort. What would you recommend, or what have you used that works?
Thanks.

edit: If you can see my signature, it's in between my spokes and on them, if that helps to visualize where I'm having this problem.

[renmike]

I'm not sure if the OEM wheels are clear-coated, but if they are, things like brake cleaner are abrasive enough that it'll eventually mess them up. Have you tried just using regular polish and seeing if it pulls the stuff up?

[renmike]

I'm not sure if the OEM wheels are clear-coated, but if they are, things like brake cleaner are abrasive enough that it'll eventually mess them up. Have you tried just using regular polish and seeing if it pulls the stuff up?

EDIT: oops computer froze, sorry about the dup post.

[Venom_5]

any cleaning solution, like windex or some auto soap, along with a rag should wipe it right off

[bigbird]

i wouldnt use windex, amonia isnt good for anything but windows. i had some caked on break dust on a pair of wheels and i used a steam cleaner(not carpet cleaner) to get it off.

[midnightmach]

Mine wheels are done lol, im planning on painting them.

[bigbird]

get em chromed, ive seen the XLE wheels in chrome and they are really nice, like AMG nice.

[Venom_5]

windex definitely wont hurt ur hubcaps or wheels ... ive watched people do it for years on end

[BlueFusion6851]

Ok thanks everybody... I think that if I find some wheel cleaning paste or something I will use that.

[jhbhatia]

Originally Posted by Venom_5

windex definitely wont hurt ur hubcaps or wheels ... ive watched people do it for years on end

Your kidding me right....just some polish or wheel cleaner should be suffice. If you can't afford a 7-8 dollar cleaner, then your up to no good belonging to a car-modding community!

[Mike Gerber]

Use a good wheel cleaner and a scrub brush. Don't use a metal scrub brush, just a good bristle brush, something like a stiff tooth brush. Take your time and they will eventually come clean. I have never liked the generation 3 alloy wheels. I like their looks, but that textured finish gives the brake dust a place to grab hold and stick. I have had my 94 XLE since new and cleaning those wheels has always been a bear. Once they are clean, I just use some dishwashing detergent and a terrycloth rag to keep them clean. You really have to stay on top of cleaning these alloys, as once they get too dirty, they really are a pain to get clean again.

Mike

[EvoFire]

I have exactly that problem. I didn't have a chance to wash them through winter.... the salt, road grime, and brake dust got in together caked the thing. The rim was still yellow after one completely wash.

To this day after approx 10 washes I still haven't been able to get the black stuff off between teh spokes, help anyone? And I DO use wheel cleaner.

[BlueFusion6851]

Originally Posted by EvoFire

To this day after approx 10 washes I still haven't been able to get the black stuff off between teh spokes, help anyone? And I DO use wheel cleaner.

That's the stuff that is bothering me, I wonder if that steam cleaning that was mentioned would work?

[bigbird]

das what i used, mixed in some wheel cleaner and it helped pull it off, still needed a little scrubbing though.

[EvoFire]

I don't have a steam cleaner though.