I believe that white wheels perfectly match Mini. I oredered my MCS with white wheel(8-spoke) and I got it 9 days ago. It's beautiful combination as you know.
However, it didn't take much time until I found out how easily those became dirty.
They get crusty with fine black powders which mainly come from brake disc.

How do you keep your beautiful white wheels clean and shining?
Is there any tip to prevent them from getting crusty so quickly?
Or just need frequent clean-up...

Please advise !!!
Luthier

 

>>How do you keep your beautiful white wheels clean and shining?

I wash them every two to three days (about 200-250 miles) ;P Just go done washing them about an hour and half ago.

>>Is there any tip to prevent them from getting crusty so quickly?

I wax them every two weeks. Just got done waxing them about a hour ago.

>>Or just need frequent clean-up...

Yep.

 

Brake dust is largely responsible for the wheels getting dirty.
You can brake less or gently. You can remove/replace the stock brake shoes with EBC brake pads which emit much less brake dust. They are not really for high performance but will do better stopping than stock and cut down on dust a great deal. they are now available for the front and rears for under $90 for each pair. The fronts make much more dust than the rears. you can pull out the old brake shoes and replace them without having to do any other changes to the brake rotor disc itself.

Clean the wheels with simple green and be sure to wax the wheels once cleaned. Every two weeks is fine.
I don't have white wheels but I usually clean my wheels once a day and the build up of dust is reasonably low. Sometimes if I drive alot or wait too long the dust does get very heavy and UGLY.

 

I try to wipe them down on a daily basis if not, then I find that the car wash sprayer does an pretty good job blasting the brake dust away and I get the rest off when I dry them.

 

I've got white wheels and went to EBC Greenstuff pads on the front and Mintex pads on the back. I also waxed the wheels when I got them, and plan on doing so again. The brake pad change has contributed greatly to keeping them clean.

 

Have white v-spoke wheels on my MCS and it's near impossible to keep them clean. I would suggest when you rotate your tires clean the inside of your wheels. This will stop brake dust from streaking to the front of the wheel for a while. Hate cleaning my wheels only to have little black streaks appear right after I drive the car.

 

good advise all,

SimpleGreen works wonders on brake dust, frequent waxing of the wheel (a kind of zen experience) will assist you in your search grasshopper, and a change to greenstuff pads will reduce brake dust noticeably. Fear not, it is possible to keep white wheels looking good with only one or two cleanings per week.

 

The stock pads are typical BMW; notoriously dusty. You can change the pads to help reduce dusting. The least dusty pads are EBC's Green Stuff. Mintex will have better stopping and less dust than stock, and for all out racing Ferodo pads will dust only a bit less than stock, but are the performance choice.
It's important to keep the wheels waxed; I use Zymol Carbon on my S-lites. No, it's not ideal, but it was already in my hand It's best to take the wheel off, clean thoroughly, and wax the entire wheel, inside and out. This will keep brake dust and road grime from building up as quick.

After all that I still wash my wheels every few days, or every few hundred miles.
Good luck!

 

I put 3 coats of wax on my white 5 spoke rims. This has helped significantly. I usually wash them about ever 2 days. I'm thinking about getting brake covers soon because the brake dust is driving me crazy!

 

>>I'm thinking about getting brake covers soon because the brake dust is driving me crazy!


I've hear that brake covers are EVIL :evil: EVIL. They tend to keep too much heat on the rotor and pads.

 

I agree with Ryephile, get the greenstuff pads. Either that or use your feet like Fred Flintstone.

 

I can double what has been said about Simple Green for brake dust. The stuff is amazing. It doesn't even require much scrubbing, just spray and wipe. Furthermore, after using a cloth to clean the wheels with SG, I rinsed it the cloth and all it looked unused.

As far as waxing goes, I'm not convinced. I waxed my wheels a few times, and I found that the wheels were dirty after about 200 miles. Now I am just using the SG, and the wheels are dirty after about 200 miles. So I figure, why waste the extra time waxing?

Quinn

 

>>I believe that white wheels perfectly match Mini. I oredered my MCS with white wheel(8-spoke) and I got it 9 days ago. It's beautiful combination as you know.
>>However, it didn't take much time until I found out how easily those became dirty.
>>They get crusty with fine black powders which mainly come from brake disc.
>>
>>How do you keep your beautiful white wheels clean and shining?
>>Is there any tip to prevent them from getting crusty so quickly?
>>Or just need frequent clean-up...
>>
>>Please advise !!!
>>Luthier
>>
Luthier:

I've been a fan of MCO for quite a few months...and now own a MCS. My brother has owned quite a few high dollar volume vehicles and here's what I suggest........ purchase the Kleen Wheels dust covers (absolutely great) and you will have safe, clean and comfort level cleanliness. My local tire dealer didn't even charge me for installation. Go for it and forget all these other geeks statements....it will make your life easier....!!!!!!!!!!!!! Peace. :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

>>I can double what has been said about Simple Green for brake dust. The stuff is amazing. It doesn't even require much scrubbing, just spray and wipe. Furthermore, after using a cloth to clean the wheels with SG, I rinsed it the cloth and all it looked unused.
>>
>>As far as waxing goes, I'm not convinced. I waxed my wheels a few times, and I found that the wheels were dirty after about 200 miles. Now I am just using the SG, and the wheels are dirty after about 200 miles. So I figure, why waste the extra time waxing?
>>
>>Quinn

Because if you dont wax it is harder to get the dust off and can eventually cause little scatches in your wheels.

 

I wash the car and wax the wheels every week or so. Have to clean the windshield most every day though due to all the bugs.

_________________
'03 CR/W MCS

 

> purchase the Kleen Wheels dust covers (absolutely great) and you will have safe, clean and comfort level cleanliness. My local tire dealer didn't even charge me for installation. Go for it and forget all these other geeks statements....it will make your life easier....!!!!!!!!!!!!! Peace. :smile: :smile: :smile:


Wow! What a encouraging advice!
But what is the Kleen Wheels dust covers ???
How does it work??
And where can we get it ??
Any web site ?

I would appreciate your further input!!

Luthier

 

I have heard mixed things regarding dust covers - especially about not enough cooling for the brakes. Sorry, but my wheels and rotors look pretty nice. I'll remain a geek and clean my white wheels.

Do a google search for clean wheels...plenty of stuff will pop up.

 

I've got 17" S lite silver wheels, and they're no picnic to keep clean either. I've been using the orange oil based wheel cleaner followed by the (hard to find) RAIN X wheel protectant.
This stuff rocks! It's like the windshield product, but for your wheels. You spray it on after cleaning and let the car sit until the stuff drys. It has reduced the amount of dust sticking to the wheels and the best part - dust rinses right off when hosing down the car.

I also came across a new product called the GLOSSER. it's by the same people who make the ABSORBER synthetic chamois. You wipe the car down with the microfiber cloth. They come 5 to a pack like baby wipes. Shines like a son of a gun and again, water beads right up when you hose it off a day or week later! They are large enough to do the whole MINI and then go over the black vinyl/plastic bits around the wheels, door sills and on the front sides of the windshield. About 5 bucks for a pack of 5 at WALMART.

Give 'em a try. I bet you'll be quite pleased!

 

If you are going to wax your wheels and use simple green just remember simple green is a strong cleaner and not only will it remove the dirt, but it will take te wax right off...so if you do use it, just make sure you reapply wax right away or they will just get dirty again...personally i find waxing the wheels and then just using normal car wash soap with a brush works best and keeps the wax in place.