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Cleaning the back side of clear-coated OEM aluminum wheels

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  • #1

    Cleaning the back side of clear-coated OEM aluminum wheels

    All,

    I've got something I've never figured out how to effectively clean.

    I like to take the wheels off my truck every few months to clean the back side because it's somewhat visible through the spokes on the front. Even doing this fairly frequently, I find that there is a lot of "stuff" that gets stuck on the back side - tar, small pieces of gravel, brake dust, pitting, etc. - that just won't come off, no matter how hard I try.

    Chemically I haven't found anything great that works well. Mechanically I have decent luck (but not perfect results) with a Scotch-brite pad or some #0000 steel wool.

    Does anyone have a suggestion for cleaning the back side of a wheel to like-new condition? I was thinking of trying some sort of automatic sander with a fine grit sandpaper this time around (I'll be tackling this job this weekend).

    The wheels are clear-coated aluminum on the front; not sure if backs also have a clear coat.

    Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated.

    Thanks!
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  • #2
    Re: Cleaning the back side of clear-coated OEM aluminum wheels

    I have had luck with tar remover, APC, IronX, and Claying. Not all at once but those products work for me.
    Practice doesn't make perfect, the dedication to achieve perfection makes perfect. "Smack"
    2011 Jet Black 328i Touring
    2007 Jet Black 335i Sedan

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    • #3
      Re: Cleaning the back side of clear-coated OEM aluminum wheels

      Yeah, I wouldnt want to try sanding.

      Something like the TRIX would be a good place to start.
      2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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      • #4
        Re: Cleaning the back side of clear-coated OEM aluminum wheels

        Once they're clean, applly a couple coats of Ultimate Liquid Wax. This works well for me; makes subsequent cleaning way easier.

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        • #5
          Re: Cleaning the back side of clear-coated OEM aluminum wheels

          Yeah, or Break Dust Barrier.
          2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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          • #6
            Re: Cleaning the back side of clear-coated OEM aluminum wheels

            I cleaned up the backs of these F150 wheels with plasic steel wool pads and rust remover



            and these '82 Corvette wheels in a blasting cabinet





            I'm trying the brake dust barrier spray now to keep them clean.

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            • #7
              Re: Cleaning the back side of clear-coated OEM aluminum wheels

              atikovi, please elaborate on "rust remover"? CLR?

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              • #8
                Re: Cleaning the back side of clear-coated OEM aluminum wheels

                I have a gallon of Bill Hirsch Miracle Rust Remover and Metal Prep I bought 10 yrs ago.

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                • #9
                  Re: Cleaning the back side of clear-coated OEM aluminum wheels

                  Here's the situation I'm facing. Spent about an hour with this wheel using Simple Green and a heavy duty Scotch Brite pad. It's clearly much better than when I started but the machined surface is all pitted and grayed, plus I couldn't get all of the road dust out of the pits.

                  All in all I guess it didn't come out that bad.

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