Donr something stupid - can anyone help me fix it.

Iceweasel

For future reference - cleaning alloy wheels is a dawdle - it's finding the correct product to do the work for you that is the only question.

To apply the cleaner I use a trigger spray bottle and a round paintbrush with electric tape wrapped round the metal ferrule part to prevent the metal scratching the alloy surface.

It's not hard work at all - no scrubbing needed - even on filthy wheels that haven't been cleaned for 6 months or more.

As for the correct product - try this:

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/valet-pro/bilberry-wheel-cleaner.aspx

Ebe_Scrooge

Iceweasel, thanks for this information. I'm not in the least bit "precious" about my car, as long as it's functional I'm happy. But I do like to keep it reasonably clean ( I'm not one of these who'll spend all day claying it and whatnot though ! ). But the wheels always look grubby, think I'm going to give your suggestion a try:)

force_ten

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

Iceweasel, thanks for this information. I'm not in the least bit "precious" about my car, as long as it's functional I'm happy. But I do like to keep it reasonably clean ( I'm not one of these who'll spend all day claying it and whatnot though ! ). But the wheels always look grubby, think I'm going to give your suggestion a try:)

the second set of wheels that iceweasel posted have been kept like that from new and looking at the tyres they are winters so they are off the car for around six months of the year so plenty of time to clean and treat them

if a set of wheels are sealed or waxed inside and out from brand new and are taken off the car on a regular basis and then fully cleaned and treated again then they are going to be easy to keep clean

how many on here take off their wheels and clean them inside and out?

the bilberry wheel cleaner is a good product but it is not the miracle cure for neglected wheels, if a wheel has never been off a car in three years and the barrels have never been cleaned then a spray and brush with bilberry wont get them back to as new, you will have to clean them initially then concentrate on the tar and other bonded contaminants using tar remover and somthing like iron x then clean again with bilberry even then further work may be required to get them back to as new

dont expect a quick spray with bilberry to get your wheels looking like the pictures that ice posted unless they are brand new wheels that have been treated inside and out on a regular basis

neilmcl

Iceweasel wrote: »

For future reference - cleaning alloy wheels is a dawdle - it's finding the correct product to do the work for you that is the only question.

To apply the cleaner I use a trigger spray bottle and a round paintbrush with electric tape wrapped round the metal ferrule part to prevent the metal scratching the alloy surface.

It's not hard work at all - no scrubbing needed - even on filthy wheels that haven't been cleaned for 6 months or more.

As for the correct product - try this:

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/valet-pro/bilberry-wheel-cleaner.aspx

That's OK but for a real good, almost touchless clean try this http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/bilt-hamber/auto-wheel.aspx or Sonax Full Effect wheel cleaner.

prosaver

Pennysmakepounds wrote: »

Afternoon all,

I've done a stupid thing.

Over the weekend I decided to clean my car . It's a rare thing to be honest.

Anyway the alloy wheels were very very dirty from years of break dust and road rubbish.

Used a jet wash to no awail, so I had a brilliant idea. Well so I thought.

I took a old sponge with rough green back and cleaned the wheels. The dirt is all gone but now I have very fine scrub marks on the alloy wheels from the rough cleaning with the back of the sponge.

They are not obviois - unless you go up close and look at the alloys Thankfully.

Has anyone got any idea how I buff these out.

Tried looking on-line but can't find anything that fits the bill.

All the remedies seen to be about repairing curb damage.

Can any one help??

Many thanks.

I would scufff it more , all over and people will thing,
oh look hes got the scuffed look, it must be the fashion these days

or you could spray them..look smart

Iceweasel

Force ten is right - sorry if I made it sound overly easy.

My wheels are thoroughly cleaned every 6 months and given a polish with Autoglym Super Resin Polish and a sealing coat of AG Extra Gloss Protection. - usually when the clocks change and I swap over Winter/Summer wheels & tyres.

Those wheels I posted a pic of were absolutely filthy before I had the new winter tyres fitted.

If you start from new or after a really thorough clean it's not difficult with the Billberry to keep them clean even if the insides only get a clean every 6 months

The OP's wheel will be clean now - albeit a bit scuffed - and a polish over should improve their appearance and then a regular maintenance plan could begin.

Almost any wheel cleaner should give reasonable results as long as you keepaway from green pot-scouring pads.

force_ten

I also run winter tyres and have two sets of Alloys so both of my sets start their six month stint on the car looking like the wheels in the second photo that ice posted

when they go on the car they are treated with two coats of Collinite 845 Insulator Wax, and a quick clean on the car the dirt just falls off just using shampoo and water without the need for wheel cleaners, i even clean deep into the wheel barrels with a wheel brush but when the wheels come off after six months the insides of the front wheels take some work to get them 100% clean

you always have some tar and other bonded contaminants stuck to the wheel that you have to deal with before the wheels are back to their best

forgotmyname

Steel wheels for the winter, they bend rather than break if you clip a kerb or hot a nasty pothole.

You only need a light frost around here and the road surface seems to vanish in chunks.

Are moles more active during the frosty weather?

Pennysmakepounds

Thanks Everyone.

Yes the wheels are now clean and the scuffs are not that bad thankfully.

I have ordered a 1ltr bottle of 'Auto Glym Super Resin Polish' and will give them a good buff at some point in the next few weeks.

I have also bought a RAC Electric Polish Machine so will try and keep the car clean now. (lets see how long that lasts lol).

force_ten

Pennysmakepounds wrote: »

Thanks Everyone.

Yes the wheels are now clean and the scuffs are not that bad thankfully.

I have ordered a 1ltr bottle of 'Auto Glym Super Resin Polish' and will give them a good buff at some point in the next few weeks.

I have also bought a RAC Electric Polish Machine so will try and keep the car clean now. (lets see how long that lasts lol).

if you use super resin polish then you will need to wax or seal over it after application

Autoglym super resin polish is a filler based polish and will mask scratches, super resin polish has no cutting or correction properties, so if you do not seal or wax after application the fillers will just wash off the next time you clean the wheels