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      06-13-2014, 09:30 AM   #1
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Cleaning Tips for M235i Rims

As everyone warned me about, the brake dust on my rims builds up pretty quickly. But damn ... the M235i's rims have more surface area than any rim I've previously owned and cleaning them is an absolute pain.

How do you clean them? Is there a more efficient tool or method that gets your rims cleaned faster and makes your life a little easier? Any tips or secrets would be greatly appreciated.
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      06-13-2014, 09:34 AM   #2
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      06-13-2014, 09:52 AM   #3
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I find the best cleaning tool is a wash mitt. I have one specifically for rims only. You can reach into the rim and get the inside. Just makes it easier then a brush.
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      06-13-2014, 10:04 AM   #4
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I pretty much let Eagle One All Wheel Cleaner do all the work. I go over the outer surface area with a soft wash mitt after rinsing but only get the inner wheel every 3 or 4 washes. I absolutely love the color of these wheels because it hides the dust so much better than silver wheels. There is a poor design feature, that 1/2 inch wide groove all the way around the wheel where the water just sits after you wash it. I cannot figure out what the hell were they thinking. Without that deep groove the wheel would drain off any rinse but it just collects at the bottom.
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      06-13-2014, 10:06 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky13 View Post
I pretty much let Eagle One All Wheel Cleaner do all the work. I go over the outer surface area with a soft wash mitt after rinsing but only get the inner wheel every 3 or 4 washes. I absolutely love the color of these wheels because it hides the dust so much better than silver wheels. There is a poor design feature, that 1/2 inch wide groove all the way around the wheel where the water just sits after you wash it. I cannot figure out what the hell were they thinking. Without that deep groove the wheel would drain off any rinse but it just collects at the bottom.
If you have an air compressor just use that to blow off the water. I use it to blow off water in door handle, emblems just about anywhere you can't get a towel in to dry it up.
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      06-13-2014, 10:11 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky13
I pretty much let Eagle One All Wheel Cleaner do all the work. I go over the outer surface area with a soft wash mitt after rinsing but only get the inner wheel every 3 or 4 washes. I absolutely love the color of these wheels because it hides the dust so much better than silver wheels. There is a poor design feature, that 1/2 inch wide groove all the way around the wheel where the water just sits after you wash it. I cannot figure out what the hell were they thinking. Without that deep groove the wheel would drain off any rinse but it just collects at the bottom.
The groove is the worst. I wash in driveway and dry in garage, always brake really hard when parking seems to knock most of the water out.
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      06-13-2014, 11:28 AM   #7
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get the EZ Detail Brush (don't get the mini). it cut down my wheel washing by way more than half! it will not scratch the surface and can be bent to reach tough angles. i use it for cleaning the inside and crevices of the wheels, and the brake calipers. for the front, i just use a wash mitt.
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      06-14-2014, 11:34 AM   #8
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All the above works. One other thing I have done on all my good wheels for several years now and especially with these new ones, is I don't let the dust collect.
Every 2-3 days, I walk around with a microfiber "muff" on a stick, [got it from AutoZone a couple years ago], run it thru spokes to barrel, thus keeping the dust from hardening up much, especially when hot. Then hand spraying every once in a while with a good spray wax, like a Griots Speed Shine, a rag inside and out and they stay fresh without a lot of water, hoses, and extra work. Headed for a fun street show tonight, so will go out this afternoon. I can have inside and out all cleaned in less than 10 minutes, dry because it had not built up. Just some thots that might help. Its like keeping a stove clean--do it often, and its great. Let it build up and you have work to do.
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      06-14-2014, 11:56 AM   #9
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My 'not so brilliant' plan for wheels.

I don't like using compressed air - except for inflation/nitrogen- around brake dust. Not even worried about asbestos, or if they still use asbestos, just the particulate and breathing in the dust. When I do brake work I wear a respirator and face shield

I think you should clean wheels like your paint: wash with a P21/ Griot's style ph 'wheel' cleaner or a quality car wash soap. Use a purpose only microfiber of quality rag.
Coat with a quality wax and determine a plan for how often to polish and wax.
Most important is the frequency ~ once a week, any longer and the brake dust etched into the finish. I don't really understand how the brake dust imbeds onto the wheel finish, though, it seems as if the dust sits on the finish for more then a week it really starts to bond onto the metal.
I also like to wash my tires, but I'll use a cheaper car wash soap for that.
Washing a tire helps you inspect and observe small leaks around the valve stem or puncture hole.
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      06-14-2014, 01:25 PM   #10
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Use Sonax it's the best

http://www.autogeek.net/sonax-wheel-...m_campaign=CSE
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      06-14-2014, 02:31 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pikcachu View Post
Agreed! Sonax is some serious stuff. That and a couple wheel brushes and cleaning them is a breeze.
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      06-14-2014, 04:27 PM   #12
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Poorboy's Spray and Rinse Wheel Cleaner

Took a chance and purchased the 128 oz bottle. Works as advertised. Spray, wait 5 minutes and rinse with hose. Perfectly clean, even in the grooves.

Last edited by Delnari; 06-15-2014 at 08:15 AM..
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      06-14-2014, 09:25 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mperfection View Post
Agreed! Sonax is some serious stuff. That and a couple wheel brushes and cleaning them is a breeze.
Do you need to still clean the wheel with soap and water in addition to the sonax? Or is this something you just spray on after you wash the car and then rinse?
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      06-14-2014, 10:10 PM   #14
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you spray.... wait till it changes from green to red... and then just rinse...

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      06-25-2014, 06:38 AM   #15
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I used that and it was a nightmare, had to clean the wheels again just to get that stuff off, and I kept getting red coming from the centre cap for days after
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      06-25-2014, 11:06 AM   #16
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well... cause you didn't use it right.... you don't have to let it dry.... as soon as it turns red you rise it with water

it can't be easier really
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      06-25-2014, 11:12 AM   #17
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I used it just like it said, it was only on the wheels for about 3-5 mins and out of the sun, some of it washed off but left so many marks on the wheels and hubs I had to wash them like I said, really I need to remove all the wheels now to clean the stains off the hubs, would have been 10x faster just to wash them in the first place
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      06-25-2014, 03:39 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steven1077 View Post
I used it just like it said, it was only on the wheels for about 3-5 mins and out of the sun, some of it washed off but left so many marks on the wheels and hubs I had to wash them like I said, really I need to remove all the wheels now to clean the stains off the hubs, would have been 10x faster just to wash them in the first place
I've never had a problem with residual, but then I use a pressure washer to rinse off the wheels.
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      06-25-2014, 04:21 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mperfection View Post
I've never had a problem with residual, but then I use a pressure washer to rinse off the wheels.
Be very careful with pressure washer PSI and contact of the tire sidewall.
Prolonged HIGH pressure water aimed at the sidewall results in an harmonic frequency that tears apart the carcass.

That's what I read at least.
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      06-25-2014, 06:06 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by notime View Post
Be very careful with pressure washer PSI and contact of the tire sidewall.
Prolonged HIGH pressure water aimed at the sidewall results in an harmonic frequency that tears apart the carcass.

That's what I read at least.
It's not that high pressure of one. It's a light duty. The ones at a manual car wash are probably higher PSI that mine.
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      06-25-2014, 08:30 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steven1077 View Post
I used it just like it said, it was only on the wheels for about 3-5 mins and out of the sun, some of it washed off but left so many marks on the wheels and hubs I had to wash them like I said, really I need to remove all the wheels now to clean the stains off the hubs, would have been 10x faster just to wash them in the first place
mmm... that's really weird....
What kind of marks?

This product is supposed to work mostly on the brake dust else it won't react...
Are you sure the marks were not there already ?
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      06-25-2014, 09:40 PM   #22
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Sonax works perfectly every time. Is the best product out there.
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