Wheel Cleaning 101 Advice?

madeinhongkong · 10-03-2011, 03:41 PM

Hey guys i have a set of HRE 540R's... they are 19x8.5 and 19x10 in the back... anyways long story short i got them used and it looks like the original owner didn't take such good care of them, there not curbed just oxidized. I still cleaned them weekly regardless the lips were polished and face was matte black.

They are currently being redone, taken apart, bends fixed, powder coated inside out and the lips are being repolished and clear coated. The face will be a textured color.... Is there any special way to take care of my wheels? I have bought a new lamb wool mitt for just the wheels. I have also recently bought Mother's Wheel Cleaner safe for powder coat, painted, etc and non acidic. What should i apply on the face and polished lips with clear coat? Wheel Wax from tirerack??? Thanks

335xi_zer0 · 10-03-2011, 04:14 PM

You're on the right track.

1. Get a good wheel cleaner. You'll find some people here swear by Sonax. I love it especially with the amount of brake dust the bimmers make. After the Sonax I'd still wash it and go over with a wash mitt (SEPARATE from the car mitt), but the Sonax does help take most of the contaminants off and I feel it breaks up the tougher ones.

2. Get a good wheel sealant. Theres a number to choose from, I don't have a preference but I'm sure others do.

And from there just do routine maintenance, don't let them get too gross/faded/gunky.

boostd92 · 10-03-2011, 04:17 PM

I use "Wheel Wax" brand wheel wax and it's awesome. It can be a little tedious to remove if you put it on too thick, but I have 19's with the bolts around the edge of the rim, and washing them is a BREEZE with a few coats of wax pre-applied. I can usually spray a mild wheel cleaner (Sonax is pretty strong... I might be concerned it would remove the wax), then a simple medium pressure spray and it's super clean.

Very rarely do I even have to take a mitt to them.

To note.... the 2011 models came with different/newer brake pad formulation. There is SIGNIFICANTLY less dust, and it's a grayish color, very easy to remove. For 07-10 cars that have the super black dusty pads, SONAX is a lifesaver.

10-03-2011, 03:41 PM	#1
madeinhongkong Brigadier General 301 Rep 4,126 Posts Drives: e90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NYC iTrader: (26)	Wheel Cleaning 101 Advice? Hey guys i have a set of HRE 540R's... they are 19x8.5 and 19x10 in the back... anyways long story short i got them used and it looks like the original owner didn't take such good care of them, there not curbed just oxidized. I still cleaned them weekly regardless the lips were polished and face was matte black. They are currently being redone, taken apart, bends fixed, powder coated inside out and the lips are being repolished and clear coated. The face will be a textured color.... Is there any special way to take care of my wheels? I have bought a new lamb wool mitt for just the wheels. I have also recently bought Mother's Wheel Cleaner safe for powder coat, painted, etc and non acidic. What should i apply on the face and polished lips with clear coat? Wheel Wax from tirerack??? Thanks
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10-03-2011, 04:14 PM	#2
335xi_zer0 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 280 Posts Drives: Monaco Blue 2007 335xi Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (3)	You're on the right track. 1. Get a good wheel cleaner. You'll find some people here swear by Sonax. I love it especially with the amount of brake dust the bimmers make. After the Sonax I'd still wash it and go over with a wash mitt (SEPARATE from the car mitt), but the Sonax does help take most of the contaminants off and I feel it breaks up the tougher ones. 2. Get a good wheel sealant. Theres a number to choose from, I don't have a preference but I'm sure others do. And from there just do routine maintenance, don't let them get too gross/faded/gunky.
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10-03-2011, 04:17 PM	#3
boostd92 Captain 62 Rep 759 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i M-Spo ... [7.26]	I use "Wheel Wax" brand wheel wax and it's awesome. It can be a little tedious to remove if you put it on too thick, but I have 19's with the bolts around the edge of the rim, and washing them is a BREEZE with a few coats of wax pre-applied. I can usually spray a mild wheel cleaner (Sonax is pretty strong... I might be concerned it would remove the wax), then a simple medium pressure spray and it's super clean. Very rarely do I even have to take a mitt to them. To note.... the 2011 models came with different/newer brake pad formulation. There is SIGNIFICANTLY less dust, and it's a grayish color, very easy to remove. For 07-10 cars that have the super black dusty pads, SONAX is a lifesaver.
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