MINI Cooper MINI Cooper specs
MINI Cooper MINI Cooper Forums MINI Cooper Pictures
Mark Forums Read MINI Cooper radio MINI Cooper latest news
 

Go Back   North American Motoring > MINIs in General > Detailing 101
Sign in using an external account
Register Forgot Password?

Welcome to North American Motoring !
Welcome to North American Motoring,

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!


» Latest Main Topics
Go to first new post New MCS owner!
by kablam
0 Replies, 1 Views
Go to first new post Lets post some GP pics
81 Replies, 5,455 Views
Advertisement

Reply
 
 
 
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1  
Old 10-17-2005, 05:59 AM
robert hodor robert hodor is offline
Neutral
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 7
Gallery
wheel cleaner

what are best products for cleaning s spoke wheels?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-17-2005, 07:07 AM
fasn8n fasn8n is offline
Neutral
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1
Gallery
Eagle One All Finish (A to Z) wheel cleaner. Safe on all wheels and does a great job. I have used it for years and have no complaints.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-17-2005, 08:23 AM
blitz64's Avatar
blitz64 blitz64 is offline
2nd Gear
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 135
Gallery
is that the orange color bottle one?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-17-2005, 08:37 AM
L8RG8R L8RG8R is offline
2nd Gear
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 150
Gallery
I use the MINI wheel cleaner sold at the dealer. It might cost a buck or so more, but it works great.
__________________
"Hi"|MCS05|PW/B|Prem/Cold/Spt w/ HK|Anthracite|Moss 15%|Mania CAI|Alta Intake Hose|m7 TB|JCW ECU|Borla Sport|Kingsbourne/SD/NGK|VGS|MINI iPod adapter

Winter project: 400cc injectors, M7 springs, H-sport control arms, H-sport rear sway, Dinan S5 ECU, Alta 2%
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-17-2005, 10:32 AM
Hammer's Avatar
Hammer Hammer is offline
4th Gear
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Hurricane Alley, FL
Posts: 450
Gallery
My experience with the Mini wheel cleaner from the dealer was horrible. It did nothing.
__________________

Hammer
2005 DS/B MCS
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-17-2005, 10:37 AM
L8RG8R L8RG8R is offline
2nd Gear
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 150
Gallery
sorry to hear that. i use a tire brush to help the cleaner, but i've always had to use one and have never found a cleaner that worked without one.
__________________
"Hi"|MCS05|PW/B|Prem/Cold/Spt w/ HK|Anthracite|Moss 15%|Mania CAI|Alta Intake Hose|m7 TB|JCW ECU|Borla Sport|Kingsbourne/SD/NGK|VGS|MINI iPod adapter

Winter project: 400cc injectors, M7 springs, H-sport control arms, H-sport rear sway, Dinan S5 ECU, Alta 2%
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-17-2005, 12:11 PM
Shazam's white lightning's Avatar
Shazam's white lightning Shazam's white lightning is offline
3rd Gear
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Colour-ado
Posts: 165
Send a message via MSN to Shazam's white lightning
Gallery
Krud Kutter

That stuff is like a wonder drug for wheel cleanin'! I found it at Lowe's for 5 bucks in a spray version.
__________________
2004 MCS PW/PW, Sports/Winter PKG, UJ Mirrors, Rallye Graphics, Silver Tint, HK, alta, UK Crest, custom wing/stripe *PEERAGE #59*
2000 Aprilia Mille, track/road
2006 1875watt Conair
"Yes, I'm an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial"

Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-17-2005, 12:29 PM
BradB's Avatar
BradB BradB is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 1,237
Gallery
What I have had excellent luck with:

Mothers All Wheel version
Rim Brite
Eagle One All Wheel version
EF Hi Intensity
P21S But you rarely need the Gel version
And if you wash them regularly you can simply use regular shampoo...the safest. And be sure to wax your wheels inside and out. It makes them MUCH easier to clean.
__________________
Bloomquist Garage!
'04 PW Mini Cooper S....Gone but still here in spirit!
My Other Rides.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-17-2005, 12:34 PM
kyriian's Avatar
kyriian kyriian is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 2,501
Gallery
i use the sonus wheel cleaner, ive tried also griot's garage wheel cleaner and the eagle one all wheel cleaner

honestly, if its really bad, ill use the eagle one... othewise for my weekly wash, the sonus does the job with power to spare... the griot's garage maybe very nice to the wheel, and smells nice, but it takes a bit more effort to use
__________________
03 DS/W MCS; Alta, H&R, PIAA, Sparco, Rota, Falken, H-Sport, Wilwood, Ferodo, M7, RMW, Volt, Quaife, Clutchmaster, Fidanza, OBX, Webb and LOTS more!
DSOC 17


Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-17-2005, 07:50 PM
whovous whovous is offline
5th Gear
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 686
Gallery
The guy who buffed my bonnet today suggested using Soft Scrub. Just might be a good idea!
__________________
It was a beautiful day.
The sun beat down.
I had the radio on.
I was driving.
'10 MCS Mayfair - HC/B
'04 MCS - BRG/W (174,000 miles!)
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10-17-2005, 09:15 PM
lotsie lotsie is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 15,383
Gallery
I wash my WHITE wheels at least once a week, and just use shampoo. But I also wax them with Nu-tone wax about once a month. Seems to last the best, and it is so easy to keep them clean.

The MINI/BMW brand wheel cleaner works ok. Just make sure you rince it off really well. Everything sticks to it if you don't. Found out that the hard way,once

After 40k miles







Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 10-17-2005, 09:32 PM
Bilbo-Baggins's Avatar
Bilbo-Baggins Bilbo-Baggins is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Middle Earth
Posts: 1,177
Gallery
I just use Mothers car wash and a scrub brush. Does a great job. I should wax them but don't usually.
__________________
Honorary RSR pit crew
MC#290
'06 MCS SB/S, LSD, DSC, OBC, CWP, MFSW, Xenons, R84(summer), R81(winter w/studded Hakkapeliitta 2s), silver bonnet stripe, f&r fogs, MINI roof rack, www.LightInSight.com, Ultrik shrt shft, Momo knob, clr headlamp covers, yellow fog light covers, frt mud flaps, 2-touch up, Uni panel filter, Garmin Nuvi 360, one ball conversion, Koni Sport shocks
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 10-18-2005, 04:00 PM
bolar's Avatar
bolar bolar is offline
3rd Gear
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Indiana
Posts: 179
Gallery
I use micro-fiber gloves. I wash the wheels last and just use the soap/water I used on the car. With the gloves it's easy to get in the wheel and behind the spokes. Waxing also helps the process go quick.

I've only been able to find them on-line at this place: http://www.topoftheline.com/tolae/mi...er-gloves.html . They don't seem as popular anymore .
Attached Images
File Type: gif detailGlove.gif (8.7 KB, 46 views)
__________________
#44
2011 MCS, Chili Red/White.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 10-18-2005, 06:55 PM
agranger's Avatar
agranger agranger is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,992
Gallery
Like Brad suggested, you probably won't need wheel cleaner with the S-Lites unless you let them get really, REALLY nasty! Just keep a good coat of sealant (recommended: Zaino or Klasse), NXT, or wax on them. Wash weekly with shampoo (after you wash the rest of the paint).

You might want to switch to EBC Greenstuff pads... much less dust, but there's a different forum for that mod...
__________________


Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 10-19-2005, 05:45 AM
fairmont fairmont is offline
2nd Gear
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: kansas city
Posts: 90
Gallery
Best Wheel Prodct

Strange as it sounds, the best wheel product I've found costs only a buck or two. It's the sponge strip type dish washer. With any wheel cleaner it's great getting all over the wheel, into little tight spots and won't scratch. Better than any brush.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 10-19-2005, 04:51 PM
Absorbine_Sr's Avatar
Absorbine_Sr Absorbine_Sr is offline
3rd Gear
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NW Indiana
Posts: 163
Gallery
Early last summer at Costco I bought a huge bottle of Meguiars Car Wash (gold color) for $7. I mix this 50/50 with water in a spray bottle, spray it on, let it soak a little and then scrub with these from Griot's. Cleans up the Kosei's quick and easy.

A_Sr.
__________________
Founding Member of Team Craptastic!
"Fafner"
:'05 MCS w/JCW Tuning, DS/DS, No Bonnet Stripes, Premium & Cold Weather, DSC, LSD, Chrome Line Exterior/Interior, Gray Leatherette, Anthracite Trim/Headliner, HK, Aux Input, S2000 Antenna, Whalen Shift Machine, 17" Kosei K1-TS w/ Avon Tech m500 215/45/17
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 10-19-2005, 07:11 PM
BradB's Avatar
BradB BradB is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 1,237
Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by fairmont
Strange as it sounds, the best wheel product I've found costs only a buck or two. It's the sponge strip type dish washer. With any wheel cleaner it's great getting all over the wheel, into little tight spots and won't scratch. Better than any brush.
I know what you mean. I use one of these to get the tightspots and inside my wheels.
__________________
Bloomquist Garage!
'04 PW Mini Cooper S....Gone but still here in spirit!
My Other Rides.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 11-16-2005, 08:54 AM
paul_'s Avatar
paul_ paul_ is offline
4th Gear
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Philly, PA/Melbourne, FL
Posts: 379
Send a message via AIM to paul_ Send a message via Skype™ to paul_
Gallery
Can I still wax my wheels even if I have a bit of road rash already?
__________________

'05 LY/B MCS - Factory LSD, 17" OZ Ultraleggeras with Hankook V12 Evos, Helix CAI, Helix 15% Pulley, Minspeed One-Ball Exhaust, 19mm Sway Bar, Tein SS Coilovers w/ EDFC, TSW rotors, SS lines, PBR Ceramic pads, ATE fluid, Whalen 50th Anniv. Shift Machine
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 11-16-2005, 10:55 AM
Boondox's Avatar
Boondox Boondox is offline
3rd Gear
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 278
Gallery
One of the first things I did when Nugget came home was to remove, wash, and apply Griot's Paint Sealer to all four wheels. It lasts a long time and makes removing crud exceptionally easy!
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 11-16-2005, 12:05 PM
BradB's Avatar
BradB BradB is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 1,237
Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by paul_
Can I still wax my wheels even if I have a bit of road rash already?
Absolutely.
__________________
Bloomquist Garage!
'04 PW Mini Cooper S....Gone but still here in spirit!
My Other Rides.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 11-16-2005, 12:17 PM
J0kER's Avatar
J0kER J0kER is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: EastSide .: =0)
Posts: 2,546
Send a message via Skype™ to J0kER
Gallery
i've only used soap & water & light wax on mine and 33k miles later wheels still l00k/clean like new.....i also use vaseline on the inside of my wheels for brake dust ...werks NiCE!

***this i will try..... "Absorbine_SrEarly last summer at Costco I bought a huge bottle of Meguiars Car Wash (gold color) for $7. I mix this 50/50 with water in a spray bottle, spray it on, let it soak a little and then scrub with these from Griot's. Cleans up the Kosei's quick and easy."

A_Sr.

***+souds like an excellent idea
__________________
'63 SS Impala :: '63 ragtop VW BUG :: '67 VWtype III Fastback :: MkI R53 :: MkIV 2.8l 24v Vr6 GLi


///got PETR0L?
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 11-16-2005, 12:49 PM
Red Ryder's Avatar
Red Ryder Red Ryder is offline
Coordinator :: Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 872
Gallery
I put NuFinish on when I first got the car. Now all I have to do is lightly dust with an old T-shirt. It looks like new. Additionally, since NuFinish makes the wheel so slick, most never attaches to the wheel.
__________________

CROC #32 '06 MCa CR/B PP SP, Aero Kit...........Magoo meets Mater
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 11-16-2005, 04:33 PM
William Courant William Courant is offline
2nd Gear
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 107
Gallery
I've tried a lot of different cleaners/brush combos since owning my Mini. What works best for me is automotive simple green and a bug sponge. You know, the kind with the mesh bag around it. I don't wax my wheels and they still come out looking like new. In fact, the Simple Green seems to loosen and lift the dust and grime better than the dedicated cleaners. And the bug sponge gets into all the nooks and crannies easily and doesn't scratch!
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 11-22-2005, 11:02 PM
LagunaSol LagunaSol is offline
4th Gear
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ogden, Utah
Posts: 302
Gallery
I've been happy with P21S (the spray, not the gel), but it's flippin' expensive.

Spray it on, let it sit for a minute, and the brake dust just rinses away. Good stuff.

But I need to find something cheaper that works just as well...
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 11-22-2005, 11:46 PM
J0kER's Avatar
J0kER J0kER is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: EastSide .: =0)
Posts: 2,546
Send a message via Skype™ to J0kER
Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by LagunaSol
I've been happy with P21S (
is this an acid based product?
__________________
'63 SS Impala :: '63 ragtop VW BUG :: '67 VWtype III Fastback :: MkI R53 :: MkIV 2.8l 24v Vr6 GLi


///got PETR0L?
Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2005, 11:46 PM
 
 
 
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

Forum Jump


MINI CooperMINI Cooper PrivacyMINI Cooper Terms of UseMINI Cooper Guidelines MINI Cooper Advertising The North American MINI Cooper Community
  MINI Cooper news, forums, FAQs, and reviews for enthusiasts and owners of the North American MINI Cooper
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:19 PM.
 Copyright © 2002-2008 North American Motoring. All Rights Reserved.     Powered by vBulletin and vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:19 PM.


Powered by vBulletin and vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.
North American Motoring is an independently operated web site supporting MINI owners and enthusiastsworldwide. As such it has no official relationship with MINI USA, BMW AG, or BMW of North America.All original artwork and design is Copyright © 2002-2004 North American Motoring.
Admin Account Passwords

Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2