MB-BOB

Although a bit heated in spots, I think this has been a useful discussion on this topic. I invited the detailing guys to this thread because I thought it important to read several points of view.

However, I personally don't believe there is one right or wrong way to do anything, and that we all should be open to new ideas. I look forward to CHECKMATE's feedback in a couple of weeks regarding his experiments. I may initiate some experiments of my own and will also share when I have some observations to report.

JustinTRW

Well, there was the one guy that used rubbing compound heavily on his CLK430 to remove swirls. That's not all he removed. Ouch. So no more clearcoat, that's all.

MB-BOB

I think you understood what I meant.

JustinTRW

Yeah, I just couldn't get that one example out of my mind. I almost cried.

BlackC230Coupe

well i found old pledge wipes under my kitchen sink that have been sitting in a open bag for a while so they were almost dry. but still had some stuff on there but they were not really even damp. Well anyway i put them on my wheels and i will see how it goes tomarrow, i usually have alot of brake dust within 25 min of city driving. If somehow the wheels go bad or dull. i guess that will just leave me no choce then to buy nicer after market rims.

mdp c230k

We appreciate you sacrafice!
Let us know if it works.

CHECKMATE

Left front-Light coat of Pledge on 1/2 wheel, light coat of Endust on the other

Right front-Wiped down but nothing wiped, sprayed, spit or otherwise applied

Vehicle was cool and had not been driven for several hours, after approx five minutes no noticeable residue, or touch difference noted on left front wheel.

Driven approx 100 miles in stop/go/freeway traffic.

Wheel did not ignite

Brake dust accumulation on both front wheels, but less on left front.

After cool down period-hosed off both wheels. Left front accumulation washed off easily, right front did not. Required some mitt work to clean completely.

For amusement and in the interest of keeping the flames ignited:
Naptha is a petroleum distillate but evaporates very rapidly and is an excellent solvent with a high flash point and low vaporization. Dumping liquid naptha on a painted surface for giggles is ridiculous-using it to remove tar or stubborn bug spots with a wax recoat is not. Of interest, most vehicle wax compounds contain some form of petroleum distallates.

Next test: Will try all Pledge then all Endust to see if any noticable difference in amount and degree of dust adherence.

Clearly my current flight schedule is light IOT spend this amount of time creating "lemon fresh" road wheels. :p

MB-BOB

Go, Checkmate, Go!

Go, Checkmate, Go!

,etc.

BlackC230Coupe

PLEDGE SUCKS!!!!!!

i came home an hour ago from driving my usual way the same as i do everyday of the week and the wheels have just as much brake dust as they did without Pledge.

I dont know why its not working for me.

Tomarrow i am going to try a little more Pledge on the wheels and see if that helps.

I am starting to have my doubts about Pledge and Brake dust.

mdp c230k

Try using some FRESH Pledge, not some old dried up ones so some of it gets on the rims!

BlackC230Coupe

yea i am going to use the spray pledge on a cloth.
mine were not completly dry, lol, i still had some on the rims.

CHECKMATE

No way is this stuff going to act like a Guardall Shield. My cut (noted previously) is that it will probably make dust removal easier with possibly a lesser amount adhering. The beat goes on!

We may have to give up and go back to the bucket/water/soap routine!

Buellwinkle

There is no magic potion, just get aftermarket pads.

pocholin

Well after reading this whole post here are my impressions:

1.- I had a lot of fun
2.- I was LMAO by the end, specially when I read PLEDGE SUCKS!!!
3.- I'll keep waiting for more pledge results in the mean time i'll continue with my daily morning routing of washing wheels.
4.-
5.- Good ideas and hypothesis.

TNat

not for nothin, but pledge is really helpin me out alot. It has been about 750 miles since i put it on and i would say there is about 100 miles worth of dust on the wheels now, comes off completely with some shop rags, and stays shiny. Its workin just fine for me.

JustinTRW

As far as durability goes, pledge is like carnauba wax.....WITHOUT the carnauba, lol. So it that aspect, pledge DOES suck.

For the same price you could get a spray on carnauba wax designed for motorcycles. However, I still prefer a synthetic sealant.

SoCal240/6

A good rule to follow is this:

Don't put anything on your wheels that you wouldn't put on the other painted surfaces of your car.

Would you feel comfortable giving your entire car a Pledge wax job?? (That is supposed to be rhetorical, but I almost fear asking it on this BBS).

viper

FWIW I heard that Lemon Pledge works best.

JustinTRW

It's too greasy for one. Anyway, just let them put whatever they want on their wheels. If they have to respray everyweek because of durability issues, let them.

Everyone is washing their wheels before putting on pledge right? You never know, some people may have forgotten.

christian655321

i feel your pain, my freinds call me crazy because when they call me after work i am generally rewashing my rims off from the dust of just 1 day.

it has become a routine for me, get home wash wheels, i only have endust at home and almost put that on , i was waiting till i heard on the pledge verdict thought.

at lunch sometimes i take a knapkin and wipe off my wheels, some parts of the rims feel really slick while other parts seem not as smooth, the parts that are smooth are easier to clean, the only thing i can think of is that when i was spraying on the wheel finisher on the tires (armor all shine stuff) some had gotten on the rims. that is why i was hoping pledge might actually make it easier to clean the rims, because they would be smooth all over. just a theory.

i guess i will be stopping by the automotive store on the way home to purchase a sealant of some sort, i am tired of cleaning rims every 20 miles.

now just have to browse through the posts to find out what you guys are usuing. happy cleaning.

Sincerely,
c7 wheel cleaning victim

HigHal320

Try Plexus,(http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/frames.html) repel dust, give it a try. http://www.properautocare.com/plexus.html

JustinTRW

Just thought of another good tip guys. You guys have heard of the California Car Duster right? Well, they make a small version, which would be perfect for wheels.

who_dog

I only use distilled Arrowhead when washing my car

pocholin

Well that idea crossed my mind when I started reading this thread! For real , but i don't think I'm goin to do it. :p

BlackC230Coupe

although i do agree that u should treat your wheels how u treat your paint. We still give our rims alot of abuse and they can handle them better alot more than paint. Weather or not u can see the damage is a different thing.

For instance if u wash your wheels with a wheel brush would u ever use that on your car? especually if its a black car? i dont think so. also wheels are alot easier to replace then to get a new pait job on your car.

but i will try the pledge once more and if it does not work i will give up.

By the way i always clean my rims everyday and hate it.