Cleaning alloy wheels

[Beltie]

I have a 2020 Ducato with the standard, heavy chassis alloy wheels. These are a combination of diamond cut and painted areas.

The diamond cut areas are fine, gleaming even, but I am really struggling to clean accumulated brake dust and road film from the painted areas.

So far, I have tried Autoglym wheel cleaner, brake cleaner and concentrated shampoo, together with vigorous scrubbing with a wheel brush. None of these has had a noticeable impact, although multiple applications of the wheel cleaner has made some improvement.

Can anyone suggest a more effective cleaning project.

 

[Ivory55]

What about a clay bar ? It’s meant to lift stuff from paint work.

 

[Geoff185]

I use technique W6 alloy wheel cleaner on my 911 to clean the brake dust fallout off. It is very effective without being to aggressive. Be very careful with diamond cut alloys, very easy to get water under lacquer and get spider Webb’s on polished surface. Don’t use any aggressive cleaners and DO NOT use roadside car wash, they use very aggressive cleaner.

 

[davejmobile]

I would be tempted to use t cut polish and then wax with autoglym

 

[Bonkers the Dog]

Muc Off. I use it on my bikes and the car and the MH wheels, does a fine job. £20/5ltr, requires a two minute soak then a scrub off - lovely-jubbly.

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[Coop]

I have used Dragons Breath for some time successfully to remove brake dust from alloy wheels
https://www.valetpro.global/Wheels/Wheel-Cleaners/61-/Dragons-Breath
Just spray it on and wait for the gel to blood red. For tougher build up it sometimes needs a second application plus agitation with a stiff wheel brush.

 

[JP1889]

I've tried all sorts of cleaners on my car alloys finally found , Bilt-Hamber auto-wheel.
By far the best.
Won Auto Express tests and virtually 83% 5 star reviews, 11% 4 stars on Amazon.

 

[royw]

I have used Dragons Breath for some time successfully to remove brake dust from alloy wheels
https://www.valetpro.global/Wheels/Wheel-Cleaners/61-/Dragons-Breath
Just spray it on and wait for the gel to blood red. For tougher build up it sometimes needs a second application plus agitation with a stiff wheel brush.

Dragons Breath is the favourite and does not damage, use it for years adn if you go on any detailing forum it is the goto product. Do get a scented one as it absolutely stinks..

 

[JP1889]

Best Alloy Wheel Cleaners - 3 Best Wheel Cleaners Ever!

We go through the best alloy wheel cleaners and look at how each works after going through our rigirous testing process. Included is a step by step guide on cleaning your alloy wheels.

www.prepmycar.com

First BH. Third DB
All good products but according to Amazon reviews it is fair to say that BH is outselling DB by 3or 4 to 1 with a much higher satisfaction score.

I would try to protect the wheels as best you can with a sealant, although as this thread says they maybe unprotectable, especialy in winter.

 

[TheMachMan]

Wonder Wheels is good. Used it for years on many of my Lotuses.

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[Lumpy]

I use just one product for my wheels on van, classic car chrome spoked wheels, mountain bike and wifes alloy wheels and it only cost 99p a bottle "Elbowgrease" I also use it for many other jobs like cleaning the guttering, and degreasing engines and the BBQ.

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Wonder wheels for me spray on wait give it a brush with a plastic bristled brush and wash off

 

[Beltie]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I've decided to give the Dragons Breath a go first, largely because of its gel formulation.
I'll let you know how I get on.