Cleaning OZ Ultraleggeras EASILY

[MattyT]

Hi guys,

I'm looking for a way to clean my 16" OZ ultraleggeras in an easy, effective manner. I'd rather not have to take the wheel off, too. The rims are matt black, so they tend to show off any dirty real easy. It's even worse with brake dust, which for me is a horrid brown colour.

I have used a meguiars rim brush in the past, which is okay, but doesnt really get everything. Wash mitts seem okay, but get crazy dirty from all the brake dust. Tried a tooth brush this afternoon, WAY too fiddly and time consuming...

What else could I try?

[Wolfgang]

Try an acid free wheel cleaner. I was recommended Duragloss All Wheel Cleaner by Car Care Products, has made my life so much easier, works really well. Spray it on, let it dwell for 1-2 minutes, agitate if really dirty, wash off. Could not be easier.

I followed up with Wolf's Chemicals Decon Gel to remove any baked on dust. Spray it on, leave for 10-15 minutes, wash of (use a Gerni if you leave it on for more than 5-10 minutes). My wheels have never looked so good.

[dylan8]

maybe pull your wheels off once get them super clean and then get some wheel sealer, should last like a yr and make cleaning a lot easier

[ralp2dam]

I have a sealant on my wheels and it makes them a dream to clean. High pressure wash and they look great. Because I've got the detailing bug I use a wash mitt too. I highly recommend spending the time in taking the wheels off and applying a sealant.

[Paul_OH]

Matty, I always use a 2" soft bristle paintbrush with Duct tape wrapped around the middle metal section to prevent any scratches. Tried various brushes over the years but always revert back to ye olde faithful paintbrush in conjunction with Sonax Full Effect wheel cleaner (from Repco). Piece of cake!
I seal them probably twice a year using Nanolex but I find the effect wears off after 4-6 washes. My Team Dynamics are a 12 spoke wheel so are just as fiddly as your Ultraleggeras.

cheers,

Paul

[Buller_Scott]

paul, does the sonax wheel cleaner get caked on brake dust to loosen up?

[Paul_OH]

To be honest Scott, I don't know. I always keep my wheels clean and have never had to remove baked on dust. The closest I get is when I remove them every 4-6 months to clean the inner barrels and re-seal and one spray with a little agitation does the trick.

[geoff_gti]

Pay your housemate?

[Wolfgang]

paul, does the sonax wheel cleaner get caked on brake dust to loosen up?

Anything that won't come off with normal wheel cleaner try using either Wolf's Chemicals Decon Gel or Iron X. Both work by dissolving ferrous material (brake dust) without harming your wheels. You can also use them as a paint decontamination step to make claying easier.

[MattyT]

Cheers for all the tips guys! I was thinking some sort of paintbrush might have been an idea! Will give sonax a go too. Not sure if my dust is baked on although given that my car lives outdoors these days () it may well be.