Stubborn Marks on Alloy Wheels

LeafGreen

I have some black marks on my wheels that are proving difficult to shift with regular sponges/brushes.  I have also tried "Wonder Wheels" (smelly purple stuff) but this didn't seem to help at all.
So, does anyone have any other tips for getting rid of the stubborn brake dust marks so my wheels can look their best again?
Cheers All!

fatbelly

Wonder wheels used to be acid. I think they changed the formula and now all the main cleaners use sodium mercapto-acetate

Having said that, What Car recently reviewed them and found Wonder Wheels the least effective product

Have you tried leaving it to soak for a bit and then agitating with something like an old toothbrush?

If you're up for spending more money, the Amazon community seem to like Autobead Wheel acid.

LeafGreen

Thanks for those ideas!  I hadn't heard of the Autobead stuff - the "acid" in the name slightly raises my eyebrows but I assume it must be fine/safe to use.
Yeah I have left the Wonder Wheels stuff to soak (instructions say 5 mins) and used a washing up brush, although possibly one of the issues is it is quite liquidy so it drips down immediately after spraying and doesn't stay where it's needed for very long.

fatbelly

Yes I think that is what the What Car review found.

I still have the old Wonder Wheels stuff and have used it twice over many years. The first time I got some on an old metal heater I had in the garage and it burnt a hole in it.

I guess they got nervous about that formula!

prettyandfluffy

LeafGreen said:

Thanks for those ideas!  I hadn't heard of the Autobead stuff - the "acid" in the name slightly raises my eyebrows but I assume it must be fine/safe to use.
Yeah I have left the Wonder Wheels stuff to soak (instructions say 5 mins) and used a washing up brush, although possibly one of the issues is it is quite liquidy so it drips down immediately after spraying and doesn't stay where it's needed for very long.

You could try soaking an old cloth in Wonder Wheels and applying that to the mark,

LeafGreen

prettyandfluffy said:

LeafGreen said:

Thanks for those ideas!  I hadn't heard of the Autobead stuff - the "acid" in the name slightly raises my eyebrows but I assume it must be fine/safe to use.
Yeah I have left the Wonder Wheels stuff to soak (instructions say 5 mins) and used a washing up brush, although possibly one of the issues is it is quite liquidy so it drips down immediately after spraying and doesn't stay where it's needed for very long.

You could try soaking an old cloth in Wonder Wheels and applying that to the mark,

That's a really good idea that I hadn't thought of - I have used kitchen rolls soaked in vinegar before for removing marks in the bathroom/shower with good success so don't see any reason why the same principle wouldn't apply!

subjecttocontract

Are the alloy wheels laquered ? If they are, there might be a break in the laquer coat and water has got in and anodized the aluminium. If so the only fix is really to strip the laquer, clean and re laquer.