cleaning aluminm wheels

Leroy · Jul 29, 2015

Just bought some used wheels to replace the wrong size on my truck. Some were covered with shop dust so thick you could not see the finnish and some have mud on from being stored outside. Only got some done and outside cleaning up good with just a brush and water hose. Now problem is the inside they are covered with grease like a bearing throwing it out, spots heavy enough to affect balancing new tire. What is best to get that grease off without dammaging the aluminm, I don't care on inside about color but do not want to discolor the outside. Just want clean enough it does not affect the balancer. What to use? And the used rims cost from $30 to 35 each. and had to go a hundred mile to get 3 of them with 35 mile for the other 2. Hard to find my size as most are an inch to wide for correct tire for the truck. And tire dealer said that overwidth rim would probably void the warenty on the new tires.

DGinVT · Jul 29, 2015

See in your area whether they sell "incredible pink". You can find it in the house hold cleaners section in your larger supermarket chain. You squirt it on and let it sit for a couple of minutes then spray it off. It's made in Gorham, Maine. You can find it at"WWW.CHEM QUEST.COM" . It got rid of all the dirt, grime and diesel fuel stain on my 2600 Ford with no trouble.

J.Wondergem · Jul 29, 2015

WD40 will do a good job of getting it off.

Ozlander · Jul 29, 2015

Diesel fuel, gasoline, paint thinner, WD-40, ether / starting fluid, brake cleaner, carb cleaner, ect.

Leroy · Jul 29, 2015

OK, will try that, I have a lot on hand.

Leroy · Jul 30, 2015

I thought that the aluminm had a coating on that some of those things would take off like they will due to paint. Just did not want to destroy a finnish on them.

4play · Jul 30, 2015

Be careful some of the rims are either painted or clear coated, some of the rims are polished and could hurt the shine too, even brushed/machined aluminum can dull with aggressive cleaning agents.

showcrop · Jul 30, 2015

(quoted from post at 17:51:18 07/29/15) See in your area whether they sell "incredible pink". You can find it in the house hold cleaners section in your larger supermarket chain. You squirt it on and let it sit for a couple of minutes then spray it off. It's made in Gorham, Maine. You can find it at"WWW.CHEM QUEST.COM" . It got rid of all the dirt, grime and diesel fuel stain on my 2600 Ford with no trouble.

Or any other sodium hydroxide product easily found at the discount store.

Leroy · Jul 30, 2015

They are not painted but might be clear coated or just pollished and that is what I was conserned with. A couple of nicks on outside surface and I might be able to tell there if clear coated. These are for a Dodge truck if that would make a difference.

Spudm · Jul 30, 2015

Try folding a sheet of aluminum foil into a quarter section, dip it in water, and commence to rub.....

JRSutton · Jul 30, 2015

Very likely they're clear coated, otherwise they'd oxidize.

They do sell special aluminum wheel cleaner - I'd go with that. Been too long since I've used any myself so I can't recommend a brand, but stuff I've used in the past worked very well.

GordoSD · Jul 30, 2015

WD-40 and a real stiff big brush.

ss55 · Jul 30, 2015

Check what used car dealers use. Cleaning wheels is part of detailing a car.

dr sportster · Jul 30, 2015

If you use an aluminum polish like Simichrome or Mother Wheel Polish you have to test a small patch and if the rag does not start to turn black right away then the wheels are coated and the polish will not work unless they are stripped .For heavy dirt I would use scotch pads.

cleaning aluminm wheels

Leroy

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DGinVT

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J.Wondergem

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Ozlander

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Leroy

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Leroy

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4play

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showcrop

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Leroy

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Spudm

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JRSutton

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GordoSD

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ss55

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dr sportster

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