Cleaning rims, an experiment

[zbane]

Since I just replaced my stock rims with Westerns, I figured I would clean up my old (once shiny) "Iron Crosses."

I have accumulated a variety of cleaning supplies for various uses, and thought I would document several of the cleaners I have.

Here is what I have found:

In the first 4 photos I used Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound. It did a good job, but did require a bit of scrubbing.

The next photo show DuPont's Teflon Wheel Cleaner. It did nothing on the nasty accumulation but get it wet, and wash off some of the loose stuff.

The last photos show a promising contender for the "most versatile cleaner" award- Stoner's Invisible Glass!

Note the inside of the rim- the parts that are fairly clean pretty much cleaned themselves. I had sprayed the stuff on the inner rim (only half), and flipped the rim over. A couple minutes later, I flipped it again, and much of that stuff just slid off. A little wipe, and much more wiped away.

Next time I'm at the store, I plan on getting another can of spray, apply it, clean the majority of stuff off, and then attack the truly stubborn parts with the rubbing compound.

Just thought everyone might like to know that you don't have to buy the expensive wheel cleaners. Nothing against the DuPont stuff, I imagine it is more for light cleaning of brake dust, not serious road grime.

And by the way, the Oxy Clean seen in the edge of a couple photos didn't do anything (didn't think it would, but you never know).

[sblake01]

Diluted muriatic acid will strip the gunk off of old aluminum wheels better than any of that stuff and it costs less. You just have to have the nerve and skills to use it! And wear chemical resistant gloves. You can't leave it on too long because it starts to etch the aluminum. And when you rinse them after an acid wash, don't rinse in the direction of your lawn, flowerbeds, etc. That being said, an acid wash is always my first step in cleaning old aluminum wheels.

[zbane]

Good to know, thanks Stephen.

I've used muriatic acid to etch concrete-it is some nasty stuff...

[geezer]

I can't stress enough how dangerous muriatic acid can be if not used properly. Wear protective clothing & gloves. Do not inhale any of the fumes given off, your lungs can be severly damaged. When diluting it for use follow the instructions and lastly dispose of it safely. It does do the job, but like Stephen says you have to have the nerves & skills to use it.

[sblake01]

Thanks, Ron. I sometimes forget to stress the imporance of safety. Working with HVAC/MVAC for as long as I have and having once been a cetified welder, I guess I take for granted that everyone will be aware of the dangers involved working with chemicals/gasses, etc. as I am.

[zbane]

Of course, not everyone has muriatic acid just sitting around the house, though it is easy enough to get a hold of.

Since muriatic acid IS so dangerous and tricky to work with properly (at least for a novice), perhaps others could chime in with with household items that they use for wheel cleaning.

I really appreciated the posts a while back about Simple Green and its performance cleaning engine parts, so perhaps we can all list/suggest other products that one may not think about for wheel cleaning.

I was happily surprised with the alternate use for Invisible Glass, perhaps there are other surprising alternatives out there...

[d240zx2]

I've had pretty good success with Busch Aluminum wheel cleaner from MSA. The spray smells a bit like muriatic/hydrocloric acid and works pretty well. The 2nd and 3rd stages of compound really do the trick, too. I polished up my L24 valve cover this morning and can almost shave in its reflective capability now.

My 37 year old Fenton aluminum slots are deteriorating via the "flake" method and the Busch stuff cleans 'em up pretty nice.

FWIW

Frank

[280~Master]

Here is the best and probly the cheapest. Smiple Green. I spray it on undiluted and then wipe clean and rinse with water. Best of all it hurts nothing. For that hard to get spot a nylon or brass brsh does the trick. It also leaves a shine.