I have eagle alloy wheels and cant seem to get a good answer on what to clean them with. The guy at a local tire store said not to use any commercial wheel cleaners because they have acid and will dull the aluminum after a while. They said to use Windex, so I tried that last time and one it didnt clean them well and two it seemed to put a haze on them that I washed off with a damp rag. Today I tried Eagle One Never Dull, a wadding polish. This was a disaster so I need to find something thats easy to use to clean these blasted wheels....any advice would be much appreciated.


shane

 

I use Simple Green, and a wheel brush. When I spray it on, I can see some of the brake dust washing away already. Some scrubbing is still necessary, but it's not too bad. I've used it on chrome and aluminum wheels for over ten years with only good results. Spray, scrub, and wash away with water.

 

I have eagle 589's on my truck, and after 3 years, they are DEFINATELY NOT SHINY. I used some "Blue Magic" or something to that effect, and it does little, possibly even having a negative effect. Now I use plain soap and water to get the brake dust off, and leave it at that. However, that Blue Magic works GREAT on chrome, like the bumpers. Gets water spots and crap off the chrome too. I'll have to try simple green on my next truck (05 f150). Just my .02

JR

 

white wall cleaner works well. I always just use car wash soap.

 

I think I'm doing the same from now on

 

Simple Green is a powerful cleaner, but non-toxic, bio-degradable, and you don't have to worry about it eating away finishes. I swear by it.

 

I use soap (car wash), a sponge (wrapped in mesh), and a toothbrush (an old one). Works great.

 

I us Turtlewax wash @ Wax and and a cotten cloth works great

 

I use Goo Gone Brand - Citrus All Purpose Cleaner, and a kitchen brush that looks like a small toilet brush.

 

For polished aluminum.... Heavy Metal Polish

I've gone through all the various paste's and everything else. This stuff flat out rocks. It is like a liquid version of buffers rouge- and it is a mild abrasive (unlike all the paste polish's that you'll see at the parts store) but that is required on aluminum because overtime it does oxidize and needs the abrasive to truly polish it.
99% of the time i only use the Ultra Fine stuff- although when i was polishing old alum valve covers i used all 3 grits working till through till finest one.

Now- if you have chrome wheels- do not use this stuff- it will tear up the chrome. But polsihed aluminum, brushed aluminum, or stainless steel- this stuff works wonders.

http://www.heavymetalpolish.com
side note- i've never used their other stuff- just the metal polish, so i can't comment on it.

 

I've found nothing will clean clear coated aluminum rims without eating the clear coat. That being said, I waxed my rims and use regular car wash soap and a sponge. This will guarantee a nice looking rim for many years, not the easy way out but to keep the rims nice, the best bet.

 

Blue2004FX4--has good advice for clearcoat wheels. When cleaning these wheels, you should be just as cautious as you are when washing your truck body. Nothing abrasive or toxic, the same liquid carwash suds and a soft wash mitt should do it (personally I would avoid a brush).If you damage or remove the clearcoat you will expose the aluminum paint and then the aluminum of the casting which is porous. Wheel weights will cause corrosion, but not much can be done about this. The clearcoat and shine on these wheels will eventually deteriorate but the way you care for them will preserve the clearcoat and luster longer.

 

Seems like the best thing for cleaning wheels (or cars, boats, bikes, motorhomes) is a son. My dad used this method extensively and was always happy.