The Car cleaning section , Please join in

[hifilover1979]

What do the Fish people use for cleaning very grimy alloy wheels ,
Lots of black brake dust welded on like a crust

Autoglym Magma or DragonsBloody to remove that build up:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07DL7CD6D/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079QM2JN1/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21

I'd recommend a decent wheel cleaning brush too

Then keep on top of them; a decent wheel cleaner should keep the looking tidy once you've done the initial deep clean on them:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0011DVZGS/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21

And once you've cleaned them, wax/seal them; makes keeping them clean easier then

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004ZLAMEY/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21

 

[PhilofCas]

While we’re on the subject of wheel’s, I have these (not photo of mine), is it safe to use polish on the polished fins, was thinking of polishing to keep the winter out, but wasn’t sure if the polish may affect the lacquer in some way. I have a few small areas like I’ve circled here and wanted to halt it spreading. If not polish, what’s the thoughts for best course of action? Thanks.

 

[Snufkin]

While we’re on the subject of wheel’s, I have these (not photo of mine), is it safe to use polish on the polished fins, was thinking of polishing to keep the winter out, but wasn’t sure if the polish may affect the lacquer in some way. I have a few small areas like I’ve circled here and wanted to halt it spreading. If not polish, what’s the thoughts for best course of action? Thanks.

I suspect the lacquer has lifted so I would keep waxing to help prevent more water getting in.

 

[hifilover1979]

While we’re on the subject of wheel’s, I have these (not photo of mine), is it safe to use polish on the polished fins, was thinking of polishing to keep the winter out, but wasn’t sure if the polish may affect the lacquer in some way. I have a few small areas like I’ve circled here and wanted to halt it spreading. If not polish, what’s the thoughts for best course of action? Thanks.

You've got what's known as lacquer bloom.

Waters gotten under it and it either needs re-lacquering or powder coated.

A well known issue and polishing won't sort it...

You could try and add your own lacquer (tape the rest of the alloy off and apply a few dust coats), that should sort it for now

 

[stevec67]

If you don't want to re lacquer a smear of Vaseline will seal it for a while.

 

[hifilover1979]

If you don't want to re lacquer a smear of Vaseline will seal it for a while.

That'll come off as soon as the cars washed...

 

[AudioAl]

Nail varnish ? clear

 

[PhilofCas]

You've got what's known as lacquer bloom.

Waters gotten under it and it either needs re-lacquering or powder coated.

A well known issue and polishing won't sort it...

You could try and add your own lacquer (tape the rest of the alloy off and apply a few dust coats), that should sort it for now

Thanks, question was if polishing would make it worse, i.e. would the polish react or get underneath it causing further problems. At best I know it’ll only hold it at bay a while, but just wanted to check if anyone had any experience of polishing over/around the affected area.

 

[hifilover1979]

Thanks, question was if polishing would make it worse, i.e. would the polish react or get underneath it causing further problems. At best I know it’ll only hold it at bay a while, but just wanted to check if anyone had any experience of polishing over/around the affected area.

All you'll do is polish the bare alu where the lacquers come away (diamond cut area) and possibly take the edges back, but you could lift it more too.

Personally I'd just keep them clean and maybe wax them. But there's no fixing that bar getting the lacquer / wheel redone

 

[PhilofCas]

All you'll do is polish the bare alu where the lacquers come away (diamond cut area) and possibly take the edges back, but you could lift it more too.

Personally I'd just keep them clean and maybe wax them. But there's no fixing that bar getting the lacquer / wheel redone

Thanks again, cheers.

 

[AudioAl]

Autoglym Magma or DragonsBloody to remove that build up:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07DL7CD6D/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079QM2JN1/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21

I'd recommend a decent wheel cleaning brush too

Then keep on top of them; a decent wheel cleaner should keep the looking tidy once you've done the initial deep clean on them:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0011DVZGS/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21

And once you've cleaned them, wax/seal them; makes keeping them clean easier then

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004ZLAMEY/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21

Ordered thanks

 

[stevec67]

That'll come off as soon as the cars washed...

Of course. Obviously it will, and it goes back on just as easily. But in the month or so between car washes and while the roadd are salted it stops things getting any worse, for pretty much zero effort.

 

[hifilover1979]

Of course. Obviously it will, and it goes back on just as easily. But in the month or so between car washes and while the roadd are salted it stops things getting any worse, for pretty much zero effort.

That's if you wait that long to clean a car... Which for a lot of us is a lifetime!

 

[Nero]

While we’re on the subject of wheel’s, I have these (not photo of mine), is it safe to use polish on the polished fins, was thinking of polishing to keep the winter out, but wasn’t sure if the polish may affect the lacquer in some way. I have a few small areas like I’ve circled here and wanted to halt it spreading. If not polish, what’s the thoughts for best course of action? Thanks.

Ultimately, the answer is a refurb but you know that. I don’t particularly like ‘diamond cut’ wheels but they seem to be standard now. I refurbed some RS wheels a few years ago, and the diamond cut finish was an extra £50 per wheel. They looked much better without!

 

[gintonic]

Which for a lot of us is a lifetime!

what about a year between washes?

 

[hifilover1979]

Ultimately, the answer is a refurb but you know that. I don’t particularly like ‘diamond cut’ wheels but they seem to be standard now. I refurbed some RS wheels a few years ago, and the diamond cut finish was an extra £50 per wheel. They looked much better without!

Fully agree; can't stand them myself

In the 5 years my Dad's had his X3 3.0D he's now on his 4th set of alloys; first 3 sets replaced under warranty all due to lacquer bloom cause by the centre cap and retaining moisture... Current set have been fully refurbed in Ferric Grey and they look superb

 

[hifilover1979]

what about a year between washes?

Wash your mouth out

 

[PhilofCas]

Ultimately, the answer is a refurb but you know that. I don’t particularly like ‘diamond cut’ wheels but they seem to be standard now. I refurbed some RS wheels a few years ago, and the diamond cut finish was an extra £50 per wheel. They looked much better without!

I'm surprised they're holding up as well as they are (car is 3 year old gone July), they seem good quality. I've seen some of same style that have been powder coated all one colour, but must admit to liking the original one's as they are.

(My son commented on some he'd seen that had been recut/skimmed and they look a mess, bit of a bodge job!)

 

[hifilover1979]

A full wash, detail and wax today...

1st week of travelling up & down the country roads with winter tyres on; it was absolutely caked in crap off the roads... I can see me washing this a LOT

 

[matt j]

Mine sits next to a tree and just over the fence from an allotment with what seems like permanent bonfires, it's pointless washing it not to mention expensive to keep on top of, it's filthy again the next day.