The wheels on my recent acquirement are actually in really good shape except the 2 driver's side wheels. Apparently at some point it had a bad brake problem. Now there is brake dust that won't come off with elbow grease. It is only on the circles of the 10-hole rims. Is there a cleaner or method that won't strip off the clearcoat finish? I'd hate to ruin these with too much aggression, but I can't live with them as is. The passenger side rims are in mind-boggling great shape. Thanks!
sounds to me like someone got to em with some acid at one point in time and thats probably the only thing that will clean them again OR you can *try* this. go with some lacquer thinner and a goof stiff brush should do the trick if you dont want to try acid. acid will clean them but you will more than likley have to use it from now on. good luck trying any kind of diluted crap you will buy at a parts store, youll probly or already have wasted your money.
No, I've just tried Dawn and will power so far to no avail. I'll try some laquer thinner perhaps this weekend.
I'd pick up some of this wheel cleaner, as it's by far the best I've ever used. FlashWax Wheel Cleaner If there is any wheel cleaner that will clean them, Flashwax will. If that doesn't work, you'll probably have to follow Nazty's advice and strip the clearcoat and refinish them.
Just an update. I ended up trying some Purple stuff cleaner and a mildly abrasive scouring pad (not a brillo pad, mind you). Didn't take much and they cleaned up great! It's funny that even dawn and my bug sponge didn't touch it but that purple stuff and a scouring pad made easy work of it. I was worried I'd take off the clearcoat that the wheels still have on there, but it was very gentle on them. Thanks all! I'll try to post some before and after pics if it decides to get above freezing this weekend. I thought I lived in the south! Just not far enough apparently.
