What is a good wheel cleaner?

[machman]

I recently purchased some 15" factory alloys from another member. I put them on my 98 Camry LE V6. They are in perfect condition. After having them on for a few weeks, I have noticed some brake dust shit that is hard to get off.

What is a good wheel cleaner that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Thanks for suggestions.

Here is a few photos of my sleeper Camry.

[mcv30]

I've got this information from another website:

I'd just apply a polymer for protection then use car shampoo and water to keep them clean, nothing harsher. If you tend to them regularly, they'll never get dirty or dull enough to require something strong. Whatever you do, avoid spray on acid based wheel cleaners.

If they require polishing to keep up the shine, something like NevrDull or this;

http://concourswest.com/Polish/products.html

I wouldn't personally use a natural wax on wheels, the heat from braking and friction would melt it too fast. A polymer however can withstand ~400 degrees. Cheers.

OR
Here's another one method/response from a different member:

Honestly, new wheels like that - I'd just apply a polymer for protection then use car shampoo and water to keep them clean, nothing harsher. If you tend to them regularly, they'll never get dirty or dull enough to require something strong. Whatever you do, avoid spray on acid based wheel cleaners.

If they require polishing to keep up the shine, something like NevrDull or this;

http://concourswest.com/Polish/products.html

I wouldn't personally use a natural wax on wheels, the heat from braking and friction would melt it too fast. A polymer however can withstand ~400 degrees. Cheers.

a response was using this product

Gold Class Instant Wheel Cleaner is a powerful and highly effective formula for removing baked on brake dust and road grime without scrubbing – just spray on and hose off. Safe on chrome wheels and all factory clear coated wheels, this formula is ideal of wheels with hard to clean crevices, grooves, and intricate designs. Special ingredients with anti-static action help prevent future brake dust build up.

After cleaning, follow up with NXT Tech Wax, a polymer sealant, which stands up to the heat well and the brake dust will wash away much easier in the future.

Here is TIRE cleaning:

I've used these products on dirty tires;
Eimann Fabrik Tire Cleaner
Eagle One Tire Cleaner
Orange Blast diluted 50% with water

I also like the way a pressure washer cleans tires. It gets the gunk out of the grooves better than a brush can. I spray the cleaner on the tire let it sit for about 5 minutes then hose it off. I follow up with the pressure washer. The tires then are clean as new. I think a brush would work but you need to scrub a lot to remove the old dressing and anti-ozonant from all the groves. The pressure washer takes this grime right off. The Michelin Energy has a lot of small grooves that ring the tire for this stuff to collect in..

Hope this helps
-courtesy from ClubLexus

[Mikey21]

Wow that was a lot of info for just rims.

I spray my car down with H2O, then I squirt some dishwashing liquid into a bucket and then I wash my rims. I frequently dunk my rag in the soapy water to keep the dirt flowing down off the rim. I hose down the rims, throw away the rag then I wash my car.

Old School I guess.

[Mike Gerber]

I second the use of dishwashing liquid. I have tried everything I could think of in the past and dishwashing liquid works best. Just be sure the wheels are cool before applying the dishwashing liquid. Be glad you don't have a generation 3 with alloys. With the textured finish on those wheels the brake dust gets in there and they are a PITA to keep clean.

Mike

[SmokingTires]

All those cleaners suck! I have used them all. None of them will take of caked on brake dust.

Fast Orange with Pumis is the best at cleaning them up. Here, I did a whole write-up on cleaning alloys:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...&postid=443450

[mcv30]

to be honest... i never used any of those methods above.

just wanted to post something up and researched it on ClubLexus.

but other than that; i always just hose down with water and car wash soap and clean it up with a cotton towel... so i don't really have to go through all those hardcore detailing. but i will have to soon on a different car

[machman]

Well, I bought some Castrol wheel cleaner at Wally world for $3.96 today. I will let everyone know how it works.

Dishwashing liquid is a good idea on wheels, just don't wash your car with it.

Thanks,

[machman]

Also, what do they mean by "apply a polymer for protection"? What polymer are they talking about?

[mcv30]

The ClubLexus detail forum is sponsored by Zaino...

So the polymer protection; they have some sort of product to detail the wheel/rim/tires. However quite often I would hear members would put some kind of sealent of some polish of some sort, using their Zaino product. Because I've always heard they applied something and their rims is slippery and smooth, therefore, when it's like that they have an easier time to wipe brake dust as well as hosing their wheels down at ease...

But definately its something like that