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Wonderwheels...does it actually knacker your alloys?

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Old 06 January 2007, 06:47 PM
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turboman786
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Default Wonderwheels...does it actually knacker your alloys?

I used wonder wheels a few months ago on my alloys (standard BMW efforts on a 525d sport), and the wheels came up as good as new

However over the last few months, I have been a bit neglectful of the wheels, and the fronts are caked in brake dust...I tried using wonder wheels again, but it just doesnt shift the baked on brakedust......and the wheels feel as if they may have lost some of their lacquer....

Are there any alternatives to wonderwheels, which is of course just acid......I need something to clean my wheels without further damagine tham, as I dont want to have to refurb them as Im tight!
Old 06 January 2007, 06:49 PM
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hectic
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use oven cleaner.. best thing for alloys.. i had multispokes on my old car ( get rid few months ago) and swore by the stuff as they were so easy to clean with it.. prior to that it really was a labourious task
Old 06 January 2007, 06:53 PM
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andythejock01wrx
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Did my wheels a couple of days ago. Used WonderWheels, but found that using a wee synthetic pan scraper was more effective that the brush that came in the box !
Old 06 January 2007, 07:00 PM
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fieldy
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Originally Posted by andythejock01wrx
synthetic pan scraper !
hmm, thats what my mate used to clean the alloys on his car , last summer. totally fcuked them up!! me personally, i use an old toothbrush and some white spirit if ordinary soap and water dusnt clean them properly
Old 06 January 2007, 07:12 PM
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corradoboy
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Prevention is better than cure. A good coat of rim-wax every 6 months will keep them like new and make them easy to keep perfect.
Old 06 January 2007, 07:12 PM
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scoobfan
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Ajax and brillo pad brings them up a treat !!

Rob
Old 06 January 2007, 07:15 PM
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fieldy
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Originally Posted by scoobfan
Ajax and brillo pad brings them up a treat !!

Rob
*rush's outside to clean his spanking new Kei's*


thanks for the advice
Old 06 January 2007, 07:21 PM
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fieldy
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Originally Posted by corradoboy
Prevention is better than cure. A good coat of rim-wax every 6 months will keep them like new and make them easy to keep perfect.
most dissapointed!! i thourght that link was for something that a "hairy girlfriend" could have made useful
Old 06 January 2007, 07:22 PM
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scoobfan
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Originally Posted by fieldy
*rush's outside to clean his spanking new Kei's*


thanks for the advice
Sh*t - starts back peddleing.

I was joking - I was joking - I was joking - I was joking - I was joking - !!!!!



Rob
Old 06 January 2007, 07:23 PM
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fieldy
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Originally Posted by scoobfan
Sh*t - starts back peddleing.

I was joking - I was joking - I was joking - I was joking - I was joking - !!!!!



Rob
Old 06 January 2007, 08:14 PM
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Shark Man
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If the wonderwheels formulation is the same as what I tried years ago. It's an acid based cleaner - what happens is if there is a chip in the laquer, it'll get underneath, react with the bare alloy and cause the laquer to flake off.


Me? I use a combination of T-cut and a Fine grade scotchbrite pad. Finishing off with polish and wax

Last edited by Shark Man; 06 January 2007 at 08:29 PM. Reason: talking ballsacks :D
Old 07 January 2007, 01:10 PM
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Wonder wheels, Maguiars NXT, then Carnuba Wax, just so my wheels feel loved !
Old 07 January 2007, 01:48 PM
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Leslie
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I believe that brake dust is pretty bad stuff and can cause your wheel finish to deteriorate.

Les
Old 07 January 2007, 06:35 PM
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Amazes me the number of nice, three or four year old cars with caked on ****e on the wheels, lumps missing, people spendd 20 grand on a car and just cnat be bothered.
Old 07 January 2007, 06:48 PM
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Matteeboy
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I used Wonderwheels once and got a bit of it on my hands (and probably inhaled some by mistake)

Ten minutes later I was shaking, on the verge of puking and couldn't stand up.

Haven't used it since!
Old 07 January 2007, 06:52 PM
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speed demoness
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i use autoglym wheel stuff... or failing that.. i knick off with the other halfs meguiars wheel cleaner !
Old 07 January 2007, 08:06 PM
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Trucker Ted
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Like Corradoboy says,prevention is better than cure,and i can highly recommend a coating of Poorboy's Wheel Sealant ,then you only need to wash the wheels as you would the bodywork.
Old 07 January 2007, 08:21 PM
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been wondering what to use on mine. just had them refurbed in white again and clean them a couple of times a week. they clean up pretty easily but what will make life easier?
Old 07 January 2007, 08:29 PM
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Shark Man
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Tippex?
Old 07 January 2007, 08:31 PM
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Old 07 January 2007, 08:36 PM
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Wonder Wheels is ok, needs a mixer though, too strong neat.
Old 08 January 2007, 12:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Matteeboy
I used Wonderwheels once and got a bit of it on my hands (and probably inhaled some by mistake)

Ten minutes later I was shaking, on the verge of puking and couldn't stand up.

Haven't used it since!
Ya woosie Mattee !
Old 08 January 2007, 12:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Shark Man
Tippex?
Only on old Integra Type R wheels.
Old 08 January 2007, 12:37 AM
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Originally Posted by J4CKO
Wonder Wheels is ok, needs a mixer though, too strong neat.

Bet you put coke in your whiskey too !
Old 08 January 2007, 08:15 AM
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Originally Posted by turboman786
I used wonder wheels a few months ago on my alloys (standard BMW efforts on a 525d sport), and the wheels came up as good as new

However over the last few months, I have been a bit neglectful of the wheels, and the fronts are caked in brake dust...I tried using wonder wheels again, but it just doesnt shift the baked on brakedust......and the wheels feel as if they may have lost some of their lacquer....

Are there any alternatives to wonderwheels, which is of course just acid......I need something to clean my wheels without further damagine tham, as I dont want to have to refurb them as Im tight!
Would you use it to clean your car's paintwork?

That should answer your query
Old 08 January 2007, 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Matteeboy
I used Wonderwheels once and got a bit of it on my hands (and probably inhaled some by mistake)

Ten minutes later I was shaking, on the verge of puking and couldn't stand up.

Haven't used it since!
Sort of did this once myself, like a prat decided to clean my wheels after a good blast, so they were hot !!

Sprayed on the wonder wheels and got a face full of acid steam

It's probally common sense, but don't use on hot brakes.

Rob
Old 08 January 2007, 11:40 AM
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A 5 litre tub of Virosol can be had for under £10. Use neat if your wheels are very bad, otherwise dilute.

If you Google it, loads of threads on other car forums with info.
Old 08 January 2007, 02:57 PM
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Some poor advice on this thread, with some very aggressive suggestions. My thoughts on proper wheel care can be found here...

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...es_wheels.html

For regular weekly use, a pH neutral cleaner like Menzerna Gel 7.5 is ideal, and totally safe, both for wheels and human health - we use this professionally on cars where the wheels aren't too badly covered. Products like Wonder Wheels shouldn't need to be used regularly if the wheels are protected properly in the first place with coats of wheel specific synthetic sealants - such products prevent brake dust from adhering in the first place, meaning normal suds and wash mitt can be used to fully clean the wheels.

On cars where brake dust has been left to sit for ages on top of little or no protection, an aggressive product may be required to remove the offending contamination in preparation for proper protection. In such cases Meguiars Wheel Brightener or Poorboy's Spray & Rinse are safer options to Wonder Wheels - I personally killed a set of alloys in my youth with Wonder Wheels in just six months, it's simply far too corrosive for even occasional use.

We now have wheel care kits in the store containing everything you need to stay on top of your wheels care, without the need for aggressive products.

Basic Wheel Kit

Advanced Wheel Kit


Last edited by Rich @ PB; 08 January 2007 at 02:59 PM.
Old 08 January 2007, 08:47 PM
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StickyMicky
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Originally Posted by hectic
use oven cleaner.. best thing for alloys.. i had multispokes on my old car ( get rid few months ago) and swore by the stuff as they were so easy to clean with it.. prior to that it really was a labourious task
thats the caustic soda in the cleaner shifting the crap
Old 08 January 2007, 11:37 PM
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COLZO
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I like to keep my wheels waxed and clean them with AutoGlym Engine Cleaner which is water based and much safer.


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