normcloutier Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 So after a prolonged cold spell, I decided to wash my Edge. I took it to a wand wash and got everything clean except the wheels. I noticed they were very spotty after I finished drying. I went back the next day to the car wash and re cleaned them with wheel cleaner but still spotty. Today, I parked the Edge in my shop and started scrubbing wheels by hand. After 10 minutes, I have half of one spoke clean. I have no idea what is on these wheels but there has to be a better way to clean them. Is this spotting from road salt? The wheels covers are plastic so I'm not sure what would cause this. Any ideas on a cleaner available in Canada would help otherwise I'll be here til Wednesday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougarpaw99 Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 That stinks Norm! I'm not sure what could be on there that would be so hard to get off but I like to use Simple Green for things that are tough to get off. I'm not sure if its available in Canada though? What part of Canada are you in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normcloutier Posted January 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 I'm in Saskatchewan. When I went to the car wash today, I even used Super Clean degreaser which takes everything off of anything and that didn't touch it. Guess I'm scrubbing til Wednesday. Definitely won't let the wheels get like this again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougarpaw99 Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 Good luck! Is that near Winnipeg? If so, and you're a Jets fan, congrats on the win against my Penguins. The crowd there made it seem like an awesome place to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOEHIO Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 (edited) Wow, they really do look bad. Never saw anything like that. Did you try any typr of wheel cleaner on the market? Zep products has a cleaner out, orange, in color, that you dilute 4 to 1, works pretty good. Edited January 27, 2013 by JOEHIO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 Zep Citrus? You could also try Zep 505, and if that doesn't work, Zep Purple, which is QUITE strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normcloutier Posted January 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 Well, I have them about 60% clean. After trying a few of my wife's suggestions, we have come to the conclusion that the spots are about 3 layers of hard water spots. The car wash I go to is only 3 blocks from the heated bay at my work. I wash the vehicle and then quickly drive over to park it inside to dry it. By the time I get there the wheels are usually dry so I don't wipe them. Once I regain my strength (3 hours of scrubbing) I'll go back and try to get the rest of the spotting off. A paste of baking soda and water as a scrub/polish seems to work. Still will need lots of scrubbing. Certainly won't let them get like this again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autom8r Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 (edited) I would try vinegar. Shouldn't damage the chrome and will loosen the mineral deposits. If you have a pool, try a little 50/50 muriatic acid. Test in an inconspicuous spot first. Rinse WELL. Use hand and eye protection with the muriatic acid. Good luck. Edited January 28, 2013 by autom8r Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autom8r Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 BTW, don't put the vinegar with the baking soda! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgieguy Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 I was going to suggest a 50/50 vinegar water mix too. You can always try stronger ratios. You may want to reach out to board member Richy who is a professional detailer and has a vast knowledge of these type of problems and which products to turn to, to resolve them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishx65 Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 A clay bar could turn out to be your best friend but I would check with Richy first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richy Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 (edited) Norm, if you don't mind, I'll just copy and paste what I responded in my PM to you to share with anyone else who may be having the same issue. Norm,If it is indeed water spotting then that is the result of the mineral deposits in the water drying on the wheels. I would stay clear of the CLR metal product...I'd be afraid it would be too strong and may scratch them. I would first try straight vinegar. Put some in a spray bottle, spray it on and let it dwell for like 10 minutes. Vinegar is acetic acid which is mild. Rinse, wash with a mild soap (Duragloss 901 is great and is available locally). Rinse again. Do you have a leaf blower? That's a great way to dry your wheels (and paint) without touching them. If not, a soft drying micro fibre.If the vinegar doesn't work, try this:http://www.detailedi...-P194/16-oz-S1/It's much stronger acid, but should not scratch the wheels. Put it on with a mf and remove with a different one. Wash afterward.You should seal them with this when you get them better:http://www.detailedi...-P668/16-oz-S1/That's one of the strongest waxes on the market...don't let it's low price fool you!Hope that helps. Edit...after seeing the shot on my computer, I whole heartedly agree you've got water spotting. The above steps should help you without scratching the plastic. Collonite metal wax is another good product you could try as well. I really think the CG water spot remover will work and be the fastest for you to boot. Just don't forget to seal it in so you don't have to waste your time doing that shit again. Edited January 29, 2013 by richy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richy Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 2nd Edit: I missed you're from Canada. (I am too, but I get all my stuff from the US as I'm on the border). Eshine does carry CG stuff, but they don't have the water spot remover listed. Chris Pace is the owner. Call him and see if he can bring some in for you. If not, it might be worth your while to get it anyway, even if you do have to order from the US. It is a very, very effective water spot remover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery007 Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 (edited) Well I think you have to just wash the wheels and then polish them with some good brand polish. It is the best and cheap way to get rid of that stains. But if you are trying to find something which prvent them for those stains then you will never find anything. Edited September 25, 2014 by Avery007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iqoair Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 I use Lloyds envirocare Green Power. It works well, doesn't hurt the coating and takes everything off that is stuck to the rims. Spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes and wash it off. Amazing stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normcloutier Posted February 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 I ended up just using vinegar in a spray bottle. I took one wheel off at a time and put it on a table to make it easier to work on. Sprayed the wheel with pure white vinegar and let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Took a toothbrush and lightly scrubbed the entire wheel before rinsing. Water spots came right off 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 Very cool. Good to know those ole time techniques still do the job Shoutout to autom8r, Edgieguy and Richy! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outdoorsmunn Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 You could try grade 0000 steel wool. I have used it many times on the plastic chrome pieces on my trucks. My trucks are farm trucks so they get all kinds of crap on them. This plastic chrome stuff cleans up really well with fine steel wool and it even seems to stay clean longer for some reason. It doesn't take very much work and it has impressive results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richy Posted February 15, 2013 Report Share Posted February 15, 2013 You could try grade 0000 steel wool. I have used it many times on the plastic chrome pieces on my trucks. My trucks are farm trucks so they get all kinds of crap on them. This plastic chrome stuff cleans up really well with fine steel wool and it even seems to stay clean longer for some reason. It doesn't take very much work and it has impressive results. I'm sorry, but I would recommend against doing that. The plastic will scratch easily. I use 0000 steel wool for a lot of things, but not on those wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outdoorsmunn Posted February 24, 2013 Report Share Posted February 24, 2013 I'm sorry, but I would recommend against doing that. The plastic will scratch easily. I use 0000 steel wool for a lot of things, but not on those wheels. I have done it repeatedly with great results. I was a little nervous at first too, but it turned out great. I have used in on grills, mirrors, plastic wheels, etc. On all the chevys and dodges I've done it to, none have scratched so far. Just make sure to try somewhere unnoticeable at first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOEHIO Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 I'm afraid that if I tried using steel wool on my wheels, they would yell 'OUCH' ! I have used it on chrome bumpers years ago, but never plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingo Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 http://www.mothers.com/02_products/06712.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingMike Posted April 15, 2013 Report Share Posted April 15, 2013 Mothers is a pretty safe bet as the best for whatever you're trying to do... Mainly wax. Great products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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