weenatfergy Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Hi guys, it a bit of an OCD issue on my alloys. After cleaning my motor I am always left with this road debris caked on my alloys, I've tried everything to take it off! I can't seem to shift it and today I spent ages trying to elbow grease it off and it didn't budge. This is the debris^ It's a pain in the backside as it is in between every spoke and as you know having titanium spec alloys there's so many spokes per alloy. It's more caked on the front alloys, the back ones don't seem to have this problem, I'm assuming because of front wheel drive? Any help/suggestions would help a lot. Thanks, Nathan. Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Haddock Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Yes, those 20-spoke alloys they fit to Titaniums are a real ***! to clean even when using a toothbrush to scrub them; I much prefer the 5-spoke 'Snowflake' design which are far easier to clean. If the major deposits are only accumulating on the front wheels then it's much more likely to be brake disc/pad residue (which occurs due to using the brakes); there are two solutions to this :- Stop using the brakes :D - not recommended Use a suitable cleaning product, e.g Valet Pro Dragons Breath to shift the ingrained muck. Like other similar products (e.g. CarPro Iron X) Dragon's Breath turns purple to show where you've got iron based deposits and its cleaning. First time you use it you'll probably see your wheels turn almost completely purple. I use Dragon's Breath to shift the crud from my wheels and they come up like new afterwards, but be warned like the name suggests it stinks a bit when you're spraying it on. However, the smell doesn't linger and is completely gone after washing off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huey45 Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Steam cleaner after using alloy wheel cleaner works for me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weenatfergy Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 Thanks a lot for your reply cap'n! I've had a look at that dragon breath and man is that stuff crazy, I've been going through YouTube trying to find more and more videos. Will definitely be purchasing some of it :D It's relatively cheap too! Going to give it a bash , will do a wee video whilst I'm doing it to show results. Cheers! Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weenatfergy Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 Thanks for your reply Huey. Unfortunately I don't have a steam pressure cleaner! But I would imagine that would take that stuff right off! Cheers Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcr1 Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Iron X is definitely your friend here. Failing that Bilberry Wheel cleaner will remove that, without a shadow of a doubt... I've budged much worse than that with these products. (White wheels are a nightmare) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weenatfergy Posted July 29, 2014 Author Share Posted July 29, 2014 Cheers Marc, the videos of that stuff is crazy isn't it! Ordered some dragons breath so hopefully that will be here by this weekend so I can detail the car! Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk2pock Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Hi, To put it simply, keeping the wheels in showroom condition, like I manage to, is easy. All I use now is a wash and wax, and when they are clean, keep them polished like you would the paintwork. Ordinary car polish that's all! This puts the protective layer on, and stops the roads crap sticking, so each time you clean gets easier too. Now they are on the condition in your pic, you will just have to work at it to get them nice first. Anything that stubborn and I remember I used wonder wheels. Not from my experience, but one of my mates used a little t cut to bring his wheels up. Remember, your dealing with a painted surface here just like the bodywork, not aluminium, and I think the name of our wheels throws people off! Old Fords do it sideways Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcr1 Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 Cheers Marc, the videos of that stuff is crazy isn't it! Ordered some dragons breath so hopefully that will be here by this weekend so I can detail the car! Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC No worries! Fingers crossed, let us know how it goes :) Hi, To put it simply, keeping the wheels in showroom condition, like I manage to, is easy. All I use now is a wash and wax, and when they are clean, keep them polished like you would the paintwork. Ordinary car polish that's all! This puts the protective layer on, and stops the roads crap sticking, so each time you clean gets easier too. Now they are on the condition in your pic, you will just have to work at it to get them nice first. Anything that stubborn and I remember I used wonder wheels. Not from my experience, but one of my mates used a little t cut to bring his wheels up. Remember, your dealing with a painted surface here just like the bodywork, not aluminium, and I think the name of our wheels throws people off! Old Fords do it sideways You're a brave man using wonder wheels, prolonged use can cause paint to crack on your alloys. Also Polishing your wheels will bring them up nicely but it won't offer any form of protection. Your best bet would be a high temp wax. I use Finish Kare 1000p and simply a blast from the pressure washer is enough to remove all dirt, then a quick rub over with soapy water and wash mitt brings them up as good as new :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk2pock Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Nice one thanks for advice, no I would never advise anyone to use wonder wheels if they don't have to, it's nasty stuff, I would say just once is enough if your wheels have not been cared for by a previous owner etc etc. Thats a good picture showing results of the kare product you use. I might have to get some :) Old Fords do it sideways 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weenatfergy Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 Going to clean up my alloys tomorrow! Got the dragons breath from eBay. £10! The previous owner of my car didn't care for it so it needs a big bit loving to get it looking at its best again. I'll post up results chaps :D Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristriple Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 +1 for wheel waxes. I use auto finesse mint rims. I hear poorboys wheel sealant does a good job too. Makes cleaning a million times easier in future. Sent from my KFTT using Ford OC mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weenatfergy Posted August 13, 2014 Author Share Posted August 13, 2014 So, just finished cleaning the car and giving those alloys a good going with the dragons breath stuff I got and man does that stuff work! It's crazy. I have the wheels a direct spray with the dragons breath first before wetting anything and almost immediately it started working! My alloys must've been ironed up!! Here's a photo before I started: Here's a photo after 15 seconds: And a photo after 5 minutes, it recommends you don't use it for more than 10: My alloys were gushing iron blood! I then rinsed them with water and then gave the car a wash and good snow foam, then foamed the wheels Another rinse off: (Ignore the purple bit on the left hand side, that's my phone camera!) All washed and looking good! I'd recommend this to anyone wanting to really clean their alloys and take the caked on ironised crap off :D Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mental_Atom Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Yeah, fallout/iron removers are awesome! Unfortunately they all stink to ridiculous levels but it's worth it for the results! Only used Iron X so far but it's equally awesome! I hate dirty wheels, was cleaning my car earlier and did my dads wheels while I was at it as you could barely tell they were silver! Much better now :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weenatfergy Posted August 20, 2014 Author Share Posted August 20, 2014 Nice! Yeah it's good stuff, worth the money Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC600 Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 I always seal my alloys with spray wax after cleaning. Or if I 3 stage (paint cleaner, Polish, wax) the car, I do the same with the wheels. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weenatfergy Posted August 25, 2014 Author Share Posted August 25, 2014 I always seal my alloys with spray wax after cleaning. Or if I 3 stage (paint cleaner, Polish, wax) the car, I do the same with the wheels. :) Nice one! I have now started polishing and waxing them. Hopefully the dirt will not stick to them as much, they also look good afterwards! Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marks12 Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 A guy I know bought a BMW and the allows looked like they had been driven through a tar pit so he got cement acid and washed them with that worked like a charm mind you don't get it on your hands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weenatfergy Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 A guy I know bought a BMW and the allows looked like they had been driven through a tar pit so he got cement acid and washed them with that worked like a charm mind you don't get it on your hands I used dragons breath.. Have a look at my post above :D thanks for the tip ! Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marks12 Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Seen the pictures alright looks good I am going to get a bottle of that stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weenatfergy Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 Seen the pictures alright looks good I am going to get a bottle of that stuff I got it from eBay for a tenner! It's brilliant, stinks big time though! Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zetec steve Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 wheels are looking good bud. after giving my wheels a good cleaning I then seal them with poor boys wheel sealant and it lasts a long time . you don't need to use much, they recommend two light coats but if you don't have the time then one coat works just as well and once applied I find I don't need any cleaners just soap and hot water . happy days . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke.grimbley Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 Chemical Guy's Diablo Wheel Gel will see them like new. Great stuff and can be used on any wheel surface. Totally safe on break parts too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b4zz Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 just seen your post and my god your wheels where in a right state buy the way the dragons breath was working but look much better after. don't envey you keeping then clean hate them ford alloy with a passion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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