[cleaning wheel dirt]- I have dirt really caked on my SL's..any tricks/products I should try?

[quattro_silver]

I have only been using soap/water, since I don't want to damage any of the finish. I don't want to use anything abrasive, but I have dirt/grime/brake dust that seems to be caked in certain areas. Is there any trick, or product that will breakup the dirt better than soap, that won't damage my rims? -btw, the wheels are off the car.

[GDA4]

[Reg Dunlop]

Just spray it on (gel version is stronger than the liquid), let it sit for a while, and then agitate with a soft brush (foam or boar's hair). It hasn't failed me.

You may then need to clay the wheels to get them fully clean, depending on how long have remained dirty.

As has been discussed before on this board, whatever you use, make certain to avoid acidic wheel cleaners. They can damage your wheels' clearcoat if let to sit for too long.

Good luck.

[quattro_silver]

I am hearing good things about the p21S gel, maybe I'll try that. I have this Zymol left though. It comes with a brush to clean the hard-to-reach spots, but I think I might try something else. I have cleaned these wheels before with the Zymol, but this time I think I am going to use a cloth with soap/water first.

• http://www.zymol.com/brite3.htm

[Reg Dunlop]

For what its worth, the P21S stuff has always worked for me. And, it happens to be on sale at CCS.

• CarCare Specialties

[quattro_silver]

[Reg Dunlop]

If the spots are indeed small, I'd use a clay bar. It will take off the tar spots and will at the same time remove all other deposition that has bonded to your clearcoat. Claying your wheels is the best way (I think) to bring them back to looking near-new.

Another option would be to go the route of a solvent or chemical to remove the tar. This might be a better approach if you have a considerable amount of tar on the wheels (clay is less effective then because it will get contaminated quickly). If you were to choose this route, in my opinion the best product is 1Z Anti-Insekt.

I'd guess claying is the best approach. If you're a clay bar veteran, you know whats involved. If you're a claying noob, don't worry, its a REALLY easy concept to learn. Just cut off a smallish piece of the clay, use tons of lube, and don't apply much pressure when guiding the clay back and forth over the surface. Also - don't reuse dirty clay!

[quattro_silver]

I spent about 2 hours on this 1 rim claying. I will get pics up, but basically the spots that I can't seem to get clean are the corners of the spokes, where they meet the lip area. The clay doesn't seems to get everything, it does a great job on the spokes, but the corners remain dirty. I havn't used any type of tar remover, as I was afraid to damage the clear coat, but it looks like I may need to try something.

[quattro_silver]

I was going to try this to remove the tar in the corners. Is there anything harmful that this stuff might do?