Baked on wheel cleaner

[Noamtasini]

Used Hot rims all wheel and tire wheel cleaner for the first time. It dried out completely and stained my aluminum wheels badly. Probably my fault, as wheel was warm.
Any advice on best removal product/tools.
Started with drill polishing head with Mother's wheel polish. Working, but slow process.
Maybe 0000 steel wool?
Other suggestions?
Thanks in advance ��.

[The Guz]

Re: Baked on wheel cleaner

Welcome to MOL.

Are the factory or aftermarket wheels?

[Noamtasini]

Re: Baked on wheel cleaner

Aftermarket HRE wheels.

[The Guz]

Re: Baked on wheel cleaner

I believe HRE wheels are aluminum with no clear coat finish. The easy way to tell is to take some metal polish and if the applicator turns black then it is bare metal. If it does not then treat it like paint. Polishing should restore the finish. Try with an applicator (ie microfiber towel, applicator, foam applicator) first. You should not need steel wool.

If they are bare metal then hot rims all wheel is not the correct wheel cleaner. It could stain the finish. The aluminum wheel cleaner is what you are looking for. I believe Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner is fine.

Check out these links on wheel care

https://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?66645-Meguiar-s-Facebook-Live-Tip-of-the-Month-Wheel-amp-Tire-Care-December-2017

https://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?66989-Meguiar-s-Facebook-Video-Wheel-Care-Simplified

[Noamtasini]

Re: Baked on wheel cleaner

Thanks for all the info Guz. They are indeed bare metal as the applicator turns black.
I actually used the Hot Rims Wheel And Tire Cleaner.
And just ordered a gallon of D143 Non Acid Wheel And Tire Cleaner. Is that one safe for bare uncoated wheels?
Says that it's not safe for uncoated wheels as well.
I've used other wheel cleaners in the past on these wheels, and never encountered any issue.
Perhaps it's the surface heat that worsened the outcome?

[The Guz]

Re: Baked on wheel cleaner

Unfortunately it is not safe for your wheels. It is the pro/bulk version of Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire Cleaner.

You would want the aluminum wheel cleaner which is available over the counter in a blue bottle. Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner works as well. See 8 mins of the link I posted.

https://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?66645-Meguiar-s-Facebook-Live-Tip-of-the-Month-Wheel-amp-Tire-Care-December-2017

Unocated wheels are wheels that do not have a clear coat. Polished wheels are not clear coated unless they are factory aluminum wheels. Since your wheels turn the applicator black they are uncoated.

[Noamtasini]

Re: Baked on wheel cleaner

Very interesting indeed. Just tried the D143 on a cool wheel, and no staining. Just was cautious of dwell time.
Shame there's no gallon product for uncoated wheels that's low on acidity/PH like the Ultimate All Wheel.
Do you know of such?

[Noamtasini]

Re: Baked on wheel cleaner

Will a high dilution ratio (1:4) of D143 on a cool wheel perhaps be safer?
Any other gallon size cleaner recommended?

[Nick Winn]

Re: Baked on wheel cleaner

Very interesting indeed. Just tried the D143 on a cool wheel, and no staining. Just was cautious of dwell time.
Shame there's no gallon product for uncoated wheels that's low on acidity/PH like the Ultimate All Wheel.
Do you know of such?

Will a high dilution ratio (1:4) of D143 on a cool wheel perhaps be safer?
Any other gallon size cleaner recommended?

Meguiar's Professional Detailer D1801 Wheel & Paint Iron Decon would be only gallon option for uncoated aftermarket wheels.

Meguiar's D1801 Professional Wheel & Paint IRON DECON

[Noamtasini]

Re: Baked on wheel cleaner

Thanks.. But at that price I'll do an APC and some soap and water. ��

[Nick Winn]

Re: Baked on wheel cleaner

Thanks.. But at that price I'll do an APC and some soap and water. ��

Yes, agreed, for use every-time gets expensive. Other than D1801, we do not recommend anything beyond properly diluted car wash soap & water for cleaning aftermarket un-coated polished aluminum wheels, powder-coated, etc. We know some will use our D101, D107 or D143 & get away with it on these wheels, but officially we do not recommend. Diluted Car Wash Soap or D1801 Wheel & Paint Iron Decon for aftermarket powdercoated, magnesium, polished aluminum, or any other sensitive plating. Ideally, always consult with wheel manufacturer for proper care guidelines & to determine exactly what wheel is plated/coated with.

Noamtasini,

What you could do, is get D1801 Wheel & Paint Iron Decon for initial & less frequent cleanings, and then use diluted car wash soap or whatever other product you prefer for your more regular cleanings.

[Noamtasini]

Re: Baked on wheel cleaner

Yes, agreed, for use every-time gets expensive. Other than D1801, we do not recommend anything beyond properly diluted car wash soap & water for cleaning aftermarket un-coated polished aluminum wheels, powder-coated, etc. We know some will use our D101, D107 or D143 & get away with it on these wheels, but officially we do not recommend. Diluted Car Wash Soap or D1801 Wheel & Paint Iron Decon for aftermarket powdercoated, magnesium, polished aluminum, or any other sensitive plating. Ideally, always consult with wheel manufacturer for proper care guidelines & to determine exactly what wheel is plated/coated with.

Noamtasini,

What you could do, is get D1801 Wheel & Paint Iron Decon for initial & less frequent cleanings, and then use diluted car wash soap or whatever other product you prefer for your more regular cleanings.

Thanks for all the great support Nick.
Never in all my years of detailing cars, would've I thought that uncoated aluminum could react so badly with a wheel cleaner. I'm literally polishing a wheel a day with drill buffer, elbow grease and Mother's Polish. So time consuming. Each wheel - 1.5 hrs. Beautiful results thankfully.. But... Yeah.. Lesson learned the hard way

Hey.. A shop would quote me hundreds of dollars for all 4 corners. Phew!

[The Guz]

Re: Baked on wheel cleaner

You could just get a bottle of aluminum wheel cleaner and ultimate all wheel cleaner and use them every now and then. You don't need to use them all the time as long as you you keep the wheels clean on a regular basis.

[Noamtasini]

Re: Baked on wheel cleaner

You could just get a bottle of aluminum wheel cleaner and ultimate all wheel cleaner and use them every now and then. You don't need to use them all the time as long as you you keep the wheels clean on a regular basis.

Yup. Got the Meguiars Aluminum blue bottle for rare tough jobs. And I'll probably even dilute that. They're actually quite beautiful now. All fixed. Never looked this good. I know this is a Meguiars forum.. But damn... Mothers Polish is phenomenal. I'm usually every 2 weeks detailing, so rarely any heavy grime/brake dust. And low dusting pads help.

[Old Bear]

Re: Baked on wheel cleaner

Pictures of your shiney aluminum wheels please.