On a normal weekly wash, I wash as much of the backside of the wheel as I can reach. When the wheels come off the car for rotation, every 3500 miles or so, or they need a real cleaning, I completely wash/wax the whole wheel.

A lot of the dirt, brake dust, crud that's on the back of the wheel, does migrate to the outside of the wheel.

Mark

 

Mark,
Just figured out your signature. CUTE!

 

The link part, or the motor in a smartly fashion part

Mark

 

Both! Just joined.

 

OK so I've been reading through these threads, some good info. I got a used Mini and they didn't do a very good job of keeping the wheels clean. Basically I have some small bits of tar and such on the wheels and want to remove it without damaging the wheels. Does anyone have a good solution for getting everything off? I don't want to use harsh bristle brushes that might accidentally damage or scratch the surface, but I've tried putting a few things on to "loosen" the tar, nothing seems to work. Someone told me some WD-40 will get it off but I'm afraid it might tarnish the wheel. I've even tried just scratching it of with my nail but its on there too good. Any suggestions?

 

Skin so Soft is great for getting tar off wheels. and the paint. I have used it for years on all my cars.

 

Go to Walmart or Auto-Zone and pick up a can of "TAR REMOVER" It will take off the tar and not hurt the painted wheels. I used it on my Corvette on the quarter panels and it worked fine. The brand I use is made by "TURTLE WAX" and also will remove tree sap.
I do use Zaino on my cars so the tar and tree sap as well as bird droppings do not stick as bad on my paint as a car without a good coating of wax/polish will probably have a harder time removing the tar/etc.
Ronnie948

 

"Born Free" baby bottle 'brush', is really a sponge on a stick. Easy washing on my white 16 inch wheels. $15 ay Babies R Us, you won't regret. Soap and water, much easier than paint brushes, rag-on-a-drumstick, wash mitts, etc.
Sturdy...

 

For Tar Removal try Wizards Bug Release Pre-Wash sold @ www.detailersparadise.com

 

I used a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Wheel & Tire on my OEM Bridgespoke wheels this evening and it worked GREAT!! I've had them sitting around, but thought since my wheels are a PITA to clean I'd give them a try!!

 

So MANY THINGS TO TRY OUT....AAHAH

 

I would say P21S Wheel Cleaner

works great and super safe on the wheels.

you can leave them on for awhile for dirty wheels, the use a nice boar's hair brush agitate and spray off. what I usually do after is use a wax (Swissvax Autobahn for wheels) or you can use anything just to bring out the shine and give it some protection before the next wash. If you can wash the car every week or 2 I would just use the car wash soap to clean them off then wax or spray wax the wheels again.

 

I know, I've tried some bug and tar remover (the turtle wax) and it's crap. I can't get the little "specks" of tar off the wheels no matter what I try.

 

Have you tried clay?

 

Yup. No love. I even went so far as to all but "scrub" the spot with clay (which I was afraid was going to scratch the rim) but it just won't come off.

 

Man...I wonder what it is then. I get the little black tar spots and I usually do have to "scrub" a little with clay (while keeping it well lubed, of course) but it eventually comes off.

 

try gasoline.

make sure you dont toss the used rag into a trash can because it can combust at the right temperature. wash it before you throw it out.

 

Talk about making a mountain out of a mole hill. Secon blogger was right. Change your OEM brake pads to Hawks or something else. Bought a 02 MCS last year with S-lites that did not look like they'd been cleaned. You can't get the pit dust off those boogers now. I got Hawks brake pads put on new rims and I don't have to clean the brake dust off them almost at all. I clean the Mini once a week and use just soap and water on the rims. When I rotate the wheels I use simple green, soap, water, then wax the inside of the wheels with regular wax. Don't listen the "high falooting" expensive means/ways...they just cost more $.

 

you are one happy camper kkschipp.

 

That's all fine and dandy, except that it doesn't get the existing dust off...

 

If it is just existing "dust" sure it will. If it has not been cleaned to the point that it has pitted your rims then that is a different story and you'll need some elbow grease...a large box of it. If I bought a new Mini today I'd have the dealer change my pads as part of the sale to Hawks or Greens. No way I'm staying with those OEM Dusters.

 

I've scrubbed to the point of pain. I'll try the gasoline trick and I got some (MORE/NEW) wheel cleaner. I've scrubbed to the point of pain with multiple scrubbies (brushes, sponges, etc) and just can't get the little black things off. It's extremely frustrating. Hopefully one of the 2 new bug/tar removers that I got will do some good. If the gasoline doesn't do it, I could always just light it up and burn the stuff off, right? ;-)

 

Look, some of those pitted specs are not coming off even with sand paper, you'll have to deal with it. I used a clay bar and just sat listened to some good music and rubbed until I got the noticeable size down to slightly noticeable. I would not use the gasoline, remember there is a finish on the wheels that you could take off. You may also want to try the mothers polishing ball and/or a buffing wheel on a dremel. Just got to watch the speed on the dremel. Don't be like one guy on here who put his tire/wheel in his dishwasher and his wife caught him.

 

if you scrubbed to the point of pain and haven't removed the coating, it's not anodized so you can use gasoline.

heck you can use gasoline to remove tar spatter on the side of the car.

try WD40 too.

 

Someone else mentioned WD40. I'll see what I come up with. At least I have a plan of attack now!