Aluminum Wheels Benz

[TJPark01]

2007 MB E350, w/ Sport Package. What type of aluminum is this?

[Andrew Wilson]

Re: Aluminum Wheels Benz

That looks like it has a clear coat finish? I am not sure if their are multiple types of aluminum.

Perhaps we can be more helpful if you tell MOL why you are asking "what type of aluminum it is ?"

[Andrew Wilson]

Re: Aluminum Wheels Benz

Here is an article that might be helpful.

[TJPark01]

Re: Aluminum Wheels Benz

That looks like it has a clear coat finish? I am not sure if their are multiple types of aluminum.

Perhaps we can be more helpful if you tell MOL why you are asking "what type of aluminum it is ?"

I was using this Eagle One all wheel cleaner, which wasn't strong enough. I just bot a gallon of Wheel Brightener, and it says specifically on the product, "Do not use on polished aluminum or anodized wheels". I know the wheel is not anodized, that seems obvious, but polished aluminum, how can I tell?

[Andrew Wilson]

Re: Aluminum Wheels Benz

Once the rims are cleaned, if you rub them with a soft foam pad or a soft cotton terry towel, a black tarnish should come off. Please note to not confuse this with brake dust that is caked on to the rims. My advise would be to try and clean a small section of the rim with Quik Detailer or water and then rub them with what we talked above to see if any tarnish comes off. Most OEM wheels, have a factory clear coat on them and are not aluminum. Over time you will be able to distinguished what has a cc on the rim and what is polished aluminum.

Possibly this post by Mike Stoops might be helpful as well.

[TJPark01]

Re: Aluminum Wheels Benz

OK, I'm pretty sure it's clear coated, so it should be treated like paint, just wanted to make sure. Also, when I take the wheel off the hub, the inner portion (that no one looks at except us) seems to be a different material, or perhaps not clearcoated, should I be treating that portion like metal? Lastly whoever designed these rims never intended to clean them. It's a major pain the the a**.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Aluminum Wheels Benz

As a factory option wheel it should be clear coated, even if polished. Most Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, Saab and other European "alloy" wheels are aluminum that is painted silver. Whether painted silver or polished and then clear coated, they're painted, so either our Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner or Wheel Brightener (diluted even 8:1 with water) should clean them up nicely.

It is critically important, however, that you follow directions very closely. Always work on just one wheel at a time, start to finish. Spray product onto a cool wheel from the bottom up, and let it dwell for no more than 15 seconds or so before agitating with a soft brush or wash mitt, if needed. Immediately and thoroughly rinse with water before proceeding to the next wheel. Never spray all four wheels and then go back to the first one to agitate.

[TJPark01]

Re: Aluminum Wheels Benz

As a factory option wheel it should be clear coated, even if polished. Most Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, Saab and other European "alloy" wheels are aluminum that is painted silver. Whether painted silver or polished and then clear coated, they're painted, so either our Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner or Wheel Brightener (diluted even 8:1 with water) should clean them up nicely.

It is critically important, however, that you follow directions very closely. Always work on just one wheel at a time, start to finish. Spray product onto a cool wheel from the bottom up, and let it dwell for no more than 15 seconds or so before agitating with a soft brush or wash mitt, if needed. Immediately and thoroughly rinse with water before proceeding to the next wheel. Never spray all four wheels and then go back to the first one to agitate.

Mike do you know if the inner portion of the wheel is also clear coated? It gets black w/ brake dust in there. I took the wheel off the hub and cleaned it, but it feels more like bare metal then the face of the wheel which feels smooth, like paint.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Aluminum Wheels Benz

The back side of these wheels always feels rough but they shouldn't be a problem for you at all. Just follow the directions as outlined above and you'll be fine.

[TJPark01]

Re: Aluminum Wheels Benz

The back side of these wheels always feels rough but they shouldn't be a problem for you at all. Just follow the directions as outlined above and you'll be fine.

After the wheel is cleaned and then prepped with paint cleaner or polish. When it's time to wax, is there a difference between using a dedicated wheel wax or say NXT 2.0?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Aluminum Wheels Benz

From reviews we've seen here on MOL regarding specific wheel waxes, you're just as good using a quality wax like NXT, M21 etc. Probably best to stick with a synthetic like either of those though, just for the added protection they provide. Don't expect any wax to be a total barrier against brake dust, but they do help a bit. Also, and subsequent application of something like Wheel Brightener or All Wheel Cleaner will remove the wax.

[Andrew Wilson]

Re: Aluminum Wheels Benz

Depending on the wheel wax (Meg's does not have one yet?) you might have a little more durability. However, NXT is our longest lasting wax, so I would assume it would give you pretty close protection as a competitor's wheel wax.

[TJPark01]

Re: Aluminum Wheels Benz

Depending on the wheel wax (Meg's does not have one yet?) you might have a little more durability. However, NXT is our longest lasting wax, so I would assume it would give you pretty close protection as a competitor's wheel wax.

As stated before since wheel cleaners are stronger then say car wash solution. It seems a little counter intuitive to apply a wax, knowing that the next time you clean the wheel, the odds of the wax getting stripped off by a wheel brightener, or all wheel cleaner, are pretty high. Perhaps explaining the omission of a dedicated wheel wax from Meguiars.