Cleaning wheels how-to

Good stuff!


UPS better hurry their asses up today. I can't wait for my foam gun and my Klasse to arrive :D
 
Nice. Klasse AIO or SG? Or both?

Foam cannon is next on my list of fun stuff to get.
 
good write up but abit much if you do it every time you wash ur car.
 
I got the AIO. I already have some wolfgang deep gloss sealant I'm going to pair it with before i do a traditional wax over top.

I need to figure out if I want make the dive and get a 7424, compounds, pads etc to try and remove some of my swirl marks or not. I'm not an expert by any means so I don't want to end up making it worse.
 
Can't go wrong with a light cutting pad and the 7424.
 
Good stuff. . Thanks for the links, makes it easier for people I they want to buy any of the stuff used instead of having to pick a random place to buy them from. I like how the undercarriage dressing works, I might have to pick me up a can of that.
 
Actually, I probably do this about once a month. The weekly wash is normally just the soap in the bucket, without the use of wheel cleaners/degreasers unless it gets particularily grimey. I will clean tires/wheel face/wheel barrel with every wash though. It takes under 2 minutes per corner if not using the additional chemicals.
 
bullschmidt said:
I got the AIO. I already have some wolfgang deep gloss sealant I'm going to pair it with before i do a traditional wax over top.

I need to figure out if I want make the dive and get a 7424, compounds, pads etc to try and remove some of my swirl marks or not. I'm not an expert by any means so I don't want to end up making it worse.
Click to expand...

7424 is very novice-friendly. I've set up a couple other members here with a good list for a pretty complete setup of machine/polishes/pads.

Alax7 said:
Good stuff. . Thanks for the links, makes it easier for people I they want to buy any of the stuff used instead of having to pick a random place to buy them from. I like how the undercarriage dressing works, I might have to pick me up a can of that.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I added the links right after posting. I figured it would be a big help. The Bare Bones undercarriage spray can be sprayed on pretty much everything under there. I've sprayed it on springs/shocks/control arms, etc. Just not the brakes, obviously.
 
pektel said:
Actually, I probably do this about once a month. The weekly wash is normally just the soap in the bucket, without the use of wheel cleaners/degreasers unless it gets particularily grimey. I will clean tires/wheel face/wheel barrel with every wash though. It takes under 2 minutes per corner if not using the additional chemicals.
Click to expand...

I have a somewhat modified list of alternatives I could add to your list, all available from Detailed Image. I will post it here, but do not want to step on any toes so it is up to you if you want it in the other thread.

-------------------------------------------------------
Here's a list of what I use:

A. Car wash solution. Chemical Guys Maxi Suds II.
http://www.detailedimage.com/Chemical-Guys-M31/Maxi-Suds-P224/128-oz-S2/
B. I use the wash in a foamgun:
http://www.detailedimage.com/Gilmour-M33/Foamaster-II-Foam-Gun-P210/12-Gallon-Tank-S1/
C. Wheel Cleaner. BlackFire Gel. I have also heard good things about Eagle A2Z which is available at local auto parts stores.
http://www.detailedimage.com/Blackfire-M32/Gel-Wheel-Tire-Cleaner-P199/16-oz-S1/
D. Cleaning tools. A brush and a wash sponge; I leave the wash mitt for the rest of the car.
http://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Accessories-M12/E-Z-Detail-Brush-P273/Full-Size-S1/
http://www.detailedimage.com/Lake-Country-M7/Blue-Grout-Sponge-P293/
E. 5 gallon pail, with a grit guard, preferably two.
http://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Packages-M29/5-Gallon-White-Bucket-and-Grit-Guard-P416/
F. Microfiber drying towel. I like the waffle-weave for drying, but to keep a separate wheel microfiber I prefer the thick ones.
http://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Microfiber-M13/reTHICKulous-Towel-P318/16-x-16-S1/
 
Of course, feel free to offer alternatives. I was mainly posting the thread for a starting point, and wanted to keep the choices to a minimum to avoid confusion.

I've never tried Blackfire gel, as it's kind of cost prohibitive for me (I need to buy gallons). I have liked everything I have tried from blackfire though.

As far as the shampoo, again, I have not tried it. I use primarily CG Citrus Wash and Gloss (for detail prep washes) and Optimum Car Wash (for maintenance washes). Foam cannon for my pressure washer will be coming soon. I just need to bite the bullet and pay up. When that comes, I will look for a shampoo specifically for it. Maxisuds seems to be a popular choice.

For the pail/grit guard: I do use a traditional 2 bucket method with grit guards for washing the rest of the car. My wheel bucket doesn't normally get a grit guard. If I am washing a customer's vehicle with aftermarket (or higher end) wheels, I will use a 5 gallon pail with gg.

For drying, I too prefer ww, but I got a deal on the towel you see in the picture, and it's a smaller size. I got the 7 of those towels for 87 cents a piece. And for essentially a workhorse towel, it's perfect. I reserve my nice stuff for the paintwork.

To answer your question, by all means add it to the thread. There are many useful tools/products out there. Those are just the ones I'm using at the moment.
 
That's crazy you use those nice reTHICKulous towels on wheels. That towel is one of my favorites for buffing off waxes/sealants or a qd wipedown. I normallly use much crappier towels for wheels.

Not saying it's a bad thing, but I can't bring myself to spend that much on a wheel towel lol.
 
pektel said:
That's crazy you use those nice reTHICKulous towels on wheels. That towel is one of my favorites for buffing off waxes/sealants or a qd wipedown. I normallly use much crappier towels for wheels.

Not saying it's a bad thing, but I can't bring myself to spend that much on a wheel towel lol.
Click to expand...

Just for drying, as the regular microfibers are not great for drying. Although, compressed air works pretty well to get most of the water off anyway. :cool:
 
True. about the compressed air. I have used my metro to blow off the water before. Now I just flood the surface, and most of the water runs right off anyways. I still will blow out the mirrors/panel gaps/etc. though.
 
pektel said:
True. about the compressed air. I have used my metro to blow off the water before. Now I just flood the surface, and most of the water runs right off anyways. I still will blow out the mirrors/panel gaps/etc. though.
Click to expand...

I am still working on my "flooding" technique, and that does get most of it!
 
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