I'm steadily getting my Z lookin' good, and now it's time to do something about the wheels/rims.

I've got that white oxidation-looking stuff and some black stuff in the pits of the aluminum that just won't come clean. I don't want to scratch it all up with an abrasive because it may never look good again.

I noticed that most aluminum cleaner is an acid. I've got some muriatic acid around and was wondering if that would work? (diluted with water, of course)

I'm not much into paying a major amount of money for some special product that may or may not work.

Any other suggestions? Advice?

dear nurse laura,

i have a set of centerline auto drag brushed alumimun wheels and in the past i have listed muratic acid as a favorite tool for many uses. recently i vowed not to use muratic acid for any purpose as it is simply far too caustic and the acid is stronger than needed in most cases. keep your muratic for the pool and look for a product made by duro called aluminum jelly. duro markets this as a screened porch cleaner but is by far the best product i have ever tried on my wheels. it is indeed a light acid but strong enough that after 5 minutes it will leave a dark streak. so try that, follow the label and i hope to see you at the zfest in oct with some good lookin sleds...

cd