shooter

Guys,


Need some advice. I bought a 2008 E63, and the owner didn't know that he should wash his rims every once in a while.


I pulled a rim off and tried to pressure wash the inside. I got most of the dirt off, but there are some dark stains and some left over labels that I can't get off. I even hit it with my most severe washer nozzle and nothing, and I'm running a 3000 PSI gas powered washer.


Any advice? Goo Gone for the labels maybe? Fine steel wool for the stains? Anyone have any luck with hard baked on stains?


Thanks

slik560

No steel wool....ever. Get a wheel brush or a soft bristle brush. Maybe some diluted Simple Green for the back sides, but start with a weak solution: 4:1 water to SG.

One thing that I used on the original wheels on my SL [that apparently went 20+ years without attention] was steam. I have one of those small portable steamers, a Scunci, and the steam did a good job of breaking through the crusted brake dust and loosened up all of the other crud so that it could be cleaned off.

Whatever all purpose cleaner that you use, be sure to rinse the wheels completely and dry them - if you let any of the cleaner dry on the wheel, it can etch or spot.

If you are lucky enough to get the wheels completely clean and back to normal, use a good wheel sealant to protect them. I use Poor Boys, but there are plenty of brands out there. Rejex, etc.

PS: I was in Chicago for a wedding back in June. Awesome city. Can't wait to go back.

shooter

Thanks Kevin. I was in Overland Park, meeting with a Telco Co-op, for work a few months back.

I'll try the Simple Green. I don't own a steamer, so I'll try chemical and elbow grease to start.

I have to look into the wheel sealants as well.

Thanks so much.

slik560

Small world. I'm in the telco business with a certain Overland Park based carrier.

One other tip when working on the back sides: if you can work in the shade, try placing a soaking wet microfiber or other towel on the surface and keep it wet with your cleaner solution. If you let it sit for 10-15 minutes without drying out, then it might make for easier scrubbing.

there just ain' no easy way....

ejsheltra

The idea of steam is the best and provides the least amount of friction to the wheel surface. Even an inexpensive steam cleaner from the local stores would be a great starting point. The more elbow grease you put into it the more you will change the color of the raw aluminum or the clear clear coat on top. Try steam first then a good grade of wheel cleaner appropriate for the finish and as a last resort elbow grease and best of wishes. be careful with the most powerful nozzle on the pressure washer as you can do damage to the wheel.

ejsheltra

Nice looking sl BTW. I like the white exterior and choice of wheels.

slik560

Thanks! And please excuse the lack of follow up. I have not been to MBworld for a while.

Shooter, I hope you have made some progress on those wheels.

TOGWT

Clean brake dust with Sonax Extreme Wheel Claener, follow that with P21S Total Auto Wash and 3M Adhesive Remover. Rinse surface with P21S TAW, finally thoroughy hose rinse with clean water

shooter

So I was going to try the Simple Green this past weekend when I did an oil change, but the MB dealer sold me the wrong oil filter. This I learned when my car was on ramps with no oil in it, so I had a rush trip to the dealer.


I have to rotate the tires on my wife's FX35, so I'll try the Simple Green on her car as a test. Her rims are a little unloved as well, so they could use the help.


I'll report back when I know more. Thanks again everyone.


And TOGWT, I plan on picking up some Sonax, heard great things about it.

TOGWT

[And TOGWT, I plan on picking up some Sonax, heard great things about it.]

Thus far Sonax Extreme Wheel Cleaner and Aquartz Iron Cut (single-step decontamination system) are a tied 1st place for my product of 2010

shooter

So I had pretty good success with Simple Green. I didn't have time to scrap the rubber off the inside, but it did get most of the staining off my wife's rims. There is still a tad left, which if I let it sit more, might be gone. All in all, pretty good. I need to order some detailing supplies, and I'll be getting Sonax for sure, and probably some of the other items listed. Can't hurt to try, right?

Thanks everyone for the help.


Todd

slik560

So far, so good! If you have some stubborn spots of tar or rubber that just won't come off with a liquid cleaner or spray you can gently dislodge them with a plastic scraper...like a credit card. Then hit it with your diluted Simple Green or some SONAX.

I use SONAX and it is a good wheel cleaner, but I still have to use an assortment of brushes to get the brake dust off. Without some kind of agitation, there will still be some brake dust residue left. Between that and your pressure washer, you should be in good shape.

I'm switching to a low-dust brake pad this summer to stop the excessive dusting of the MB OEM pads. I've been told Wagner or Porterfield pads are good low-dust alternatives.

BTW, are you enjoying the E63 otherwise??

shooter

I'm loving the E63. People who know cars are always motioning on the road, making compliments or doing double takes. I saw a SLS AMG this past weekend, and I'm pretty sure the guy only gave me the time of day 'cause he saw 6.3 glued to the side of my car. What I like best is the quiet and the comfort, plus the ability to blow away most cars I see daily!