Anodized Wheel cleaning suggestion

[The Technician]

Hello all.. new member. I searched a bit and didn't find anything but is there a product out there for cleaning anodized rims? These were very expensive and I have been cleaning them with soap/water and it's just a pain to clean.

The rims are multi-piece with the center anodized and the hub polished. The backside of the rims get dirty and it's a pain to clean. Thank goodness someone's finally came out with some detail brushes for wheels.. I even use a toothbrush on my rims.

Thanks for the help.

A pic of the rim..

[rusty bumper]

Hi Technician........Welcome to MOL.

I found this at Meguiars.com....

http://www.meguiars.com/estore/product_detailpage.cfm?product=Hot-Rims-All-Wheel-Cleaner&sku=G-95

I'm not completely sure it's safe for anodized wheels though.

Hopefully, someone else will chime in that is more bit knowledgeable about this product, or you could call Meguiar's 800 # and ask them.

[SpoiledMan]

I'll put my two pennies in now. Keep using the soap and water. I learned the very expensive way that this is the best method with anodized wheels. Protect them with a good sealant and that should make them easier to clean with the soap and water. Make sure you clean them often and thoroughly each time.

[The Technician]

What's a good sealant? The manufacturer instructed me to use soap and water, which I have religeously done. Any way to polish the anodized portion? This one nut was showing off his product and put a little on my wheel and it's still there. Can't get the haze off..

[Ghettocivic]

As for a good sealant you should get one that stands up to heat since rims can get pretty hot and you do not want the product to burn away. I think NXT will stand up to heat, but im not 100% sure. Someone can correct me if im wrong. Also do you have a picture of the spot where the guy applied his product?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Anodized Wheel cleaning suggestion

Originally posted by The Technician
Hello all.. new member. I searched a bit and didn't find anything but is there a product out there for cleaning anodized rims? These were very expensive and I have been cleaning them with soap/water and it's just a pain to clean.

The rims are multi-piece with the center anodized and the hub polished. The backside of the rims get dirty and it's a pain to clean. Thank goodness someone's finally came out with some detail brushes for wheels.. I even use a toothbrush on my rims.

Thanks for the help.

A pic of the rim..

Hi The Technician,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

As mentioned already, the best thing to wash anodized aluminum with is a quality car wash with water. Anodizing is a finish that is in the aluminum, not on the aluminum. You cannot polish the aluminum until you have it de-anodized, and strong cleaners will stain or dull the original anodized finish.

[steveo3002]

ive got similar wheels and know a few people with the same, we all use hot soapy water...and just wax em as often as you can

if you use chemicals they can sit in the gaps around the bolts etc and start corosion

nice wheels are hard work im affraid..i run steels in the winter to keep the others nice

[The Technician]

I bought one Mequiar's product that says it's safe for anodized aluminum.. I haven't used it yet cause I was skeptical.

Can not remember the name and it's way to late to go dig it out in the garage..lol. But there is one that clearly states anodized cause I bought it especially for these rims.

On the plus size, they do wash off easy enough.. It's the polished aluminum that I have the most trouble with but I don't want to get something on the anodized portion while cleaning the other.

Make sense?

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by The Technician
I bought one Meguiar's product that says it's safe for anodized aluminum.. I haven't used it yet cause I was skeptical.

Was it our Gold Class All Wheel Cleaner? (Part number G-11332, large black bottle). This is a non-acid, non-alkaline, no solvents, pH balanced wheel cleaner and I'm pretty sure it's safe for anodized wheels. We have a real expert on staff when it comes to wheel cleaners, (Tom McDonald), he's off till Tuesday, but I'll send him the link t this thread and I'm sure he'll chime in.

[The Technician]

That would be great. I'll post up for sure what it is and the statement..

This site rocks!! Quick, professional response at 5:22 in the a.m.

[rusty bumper]

I just ran out of that product a few weeks ago, and it works pretty good in my opinion.........Although I haven't tried it on anodized wheels yet.

It would be a good idea if we had a sticky on wheels only, as I could learn something myself about it.

[Tom MacDonald]

Anodized wheels are a very special breed of wheel. First they are expensive and require greater care in cleaning. The one thing I always recommend especially if your wheels stay pretty clean in between washing is to just use soap and water. Wheel manufactures are VERY specific on what to use on their wheels for cleaning. So if you have any concerns about the warranty of your wheels, follow the manufactures care guidelines. The only product that we make that would be safe for this surface is our Gold Class All Wheel Cleaner. Again because it is so mild it will not be able to blow the brake dust off the surface instantly. It may require some agitation to get the best results. But it is safe for use. Draw back.. Not widely distributed.

For protection of the surface our NXT Wax would work very well. The heat is the biggest killer of the coating on these wheels, that and bouncing off curbs. But NXT helps with protectoin from the heat better than a carnuaba wax.

I hope this information is helpful.

Tom

[Aurora40]

Originally posted by Tom MacDonald
The only product that we make that would be safe for this surface is our Gold Class All Wheel Cleaner. Again because it is so mild it will not be able to blow the brake dust off the surface instantly. It may require some agitation to get the best results. But it is safe for use. Draw back.. Not widely distributed.

I don't have anodized rims, but am always interested in more mild products. You've got me curious now, is Gold Class All Wheel Cleaner more mild than #36 Hi-Tech Wheel Cleaner? I'm a big fan of #36 precisely because it is so mild yet still works well. Thanks!

[Tom MacDonald]

M36 is milder than our Gold Class All Wheel Cleaner, so if mild is it. That M36 is your product.

[Aurora40]

Thanks Tom! M36 is one of my enduring faves, along with #00 and Gold Class Bug & Tar Remover.