HakkinenL

I know this kind of question should belong in the Detailing question. But I am also keen to hear opinions from W203 owners, especially 2004/05 C230K owners.

I clean my wheels EVERYDAY. Sometimes with normal car shampoo (mixed with water), sometimes just water plus a soft mitt to clean.
But I find wheel cleaners are very effective and it really works better than the above 2 methods. Making my wheels look brand new. And the following day cleaning is much easier even without the wheel cleaners.
But is wheel cleaners safe to be used everyday ?
I read in Autopia and detailing section that wheel cleaners are safe as long as they are not acid based. But the $6 Armor All wheel cleaner I am using doesn't state the contents.

Any opinions would be appreciated !

Narcissus

Your wheels have a clearcoat like your paint... your best bet would be to wax the wheels and wipe them down every day with microfibre...


Well that's what I do

clkcadet

i wouldnt wipe down every day(its a hassle) but use wax on the wheels that should hold it off the brake dust or at least make it easier to wipe off ( so you can try waxing once a week, but wiping every day instead of doing the whole shampoo routine every day)

HakkinenL

Normally, when I wipe the wheels with a towel, the surface of the wheels feel kind of rough. I am afraid it may damage the surface.
So I believe I must wet the cloth then?

I have not wax my wheels yet. Let me go try if it helps the daily cleaning.
Thanks guys!

Narcissus

It will GREATLY help with the cleaning process you'll be able to easily wipe the dust off, assuming you wipe them every couple days of course...

I always carry a bottle of Meguiar's Quick Detailer with a few microfibre cloth in the trunk, makes it easy to clean the wheels and other emergencies like bird droppings and stuff like that...

Outland

The wheels should feel just as smooth as the painted bodywork. WAX THOSE *****ES!

inFiniTE LooP

i personally use Meguiar's hot rims as my wheel cleaner, i spray it off with a high pressure hose (power washer), then wipe the wheels clean. i used to use only microfiber to wipe them clean, but lately i've been using disposable shop towels, they seem to do the trick and i haven't noticed anything bad happening. i think as long as you spray off all of the wheel cleaner and am wiping them clean with a soft towel there should be no problems with doing it every day.

GDawgC220

if the surface is still feeling rough after cleaning/wiping them down, use a claybar and get the embedded crap off the wheels then wax, otherwise when you wax over the roughness/grittyness, it's just sealing the crap underneath the wax.

W0n6_3d4n

Do not use that meguairs hot wheels too much, one of my cousin's wheel finish was ruined, it went dull. But i guess it's ok for stockies.

HakkinenL

Meguiar's claim all their wheel cleaners are safe and acid-free. But some 'experts' said not to use ANY type of wheel cleaners.

The brake dust build up very fast. One day of town driving (20 miles perhaps) is enough to create a thin film of dust. If I don't clean it everyday, I am afraid it may build up layer over layer.
Moreover, it rains here too often, making the brake dust stick onto the wheels like a thin layer of black paint.

For tires, I use Meguiar's Hot Shine High Gloss Tire Spray because it gives a matt finish. I apply it like twice a week (more times if the rain washes away the black coat)

Tomorrow is Sunday, lets wax them!!!