As it's been a really nice day, I gave my car a good going over. Got to the alloys, and I used a Chemical Guys spray (can't remember which one off hand, but it's orange and non-acidic), and it doesn't even begin to shift the brake dust that seems ingrained into the surface...  Don't get me wrong, they still look good from a distance, but not to my eye close up.

 

The alloys are Octavia Mk1 Spiders, but I had them professionally powdercoated last June. There's not a mark on them, apart from the caked on crap. I put on 3 coats of Chemical Guys' wheel sealant/wax before they went on the car, and every so often they had a top up with either that or Poorboys Wheel Sealant. They've always come up really well apart from lately - must be due to the crap weather we've had. Plus the car hasn't been cleaned as frequently due to not having good conditions and me refusing to go to car washes!

 

Can anyone recommend a decent product and procedure for getting these back to how they were when they were first done please? I'm going to take each wheel off soon and do them completely one at a time, but want to get them sparkling again and protect.

 

Thank you!!

The brake dust has probably eaten in to the powder coating as its acidic in nature. There is a perfect product for shifting it, Ironcut I think its called, simply apply and leave for a short while and rinse off.

Lack of cleaning is whats caused the problem, when I was doing 400 miles a week in my old MK1 Octy vRS I would wash at least the wheels weekly, even if I did not clean the rest of the car.

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=168666

Iron X

I use this with excellent results.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-74267-bilt-hamber-auto-wheel-top-rated-wheel-cleaner.aspx

+1 for Iron-X, or similar

I use this with excellent results.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-74267-bilt-hamber-auto-wheel-top-rated-wheel-cleaner.aspx

I prefer it to all the others Denis......just the same as Iron X

Post a pic, list your chemicals and tools you have so your not advised similar stuff.

 

Depending on wheel finish, you can use an acid cleaner (ignore all the internet myths) at the proper dilution, work that in with a decent brush, rinse off.

 

Now which ever iron remover you choose (ironx, iron awe, bilt hamber etc etc) you can spray onto the deeply etched marks and agitate or spray onto a brush and use that to agitate the product.

 

You might have to use the product twice, depending on how bad it is.

 

But it might even be tar, so a tar remover is also handy to have.

 

Again, a pic will help towards advice.

 

If your not a million miles away, (or you can be bothered) drive up to stockport and I will help with all the chemicals I have.

Thanks guys for all the replies! Much appreciated :-)

 

Looks like that's the stuff to go for then. Seems pretty good and easy to use too which is a bonus!

 

Cheers for the offer Mozzie :-)  You're not too far away so if I get really stuck I will give you a shout thanks!

 

I'll get some pictures up when I clean the car again (dirty again already thanks to our nice weather...).

Just bought some Iron-X anyhow. So I'll report back on how right you all were soon enough :-)

 

Cleanyourcar's site didn't have any iron contaminant remover at all - they were all sold out!

Bilt Hamber Autowheels, wheel cleaner and fallout (iron, brakedust) remover in one. Spray on, leave to dwell, agitate gently then thoroughly rinse off.

They can be a pain, but if you keep on top of them with a good wheel cleaner and a sealant will do wonders.

Well my Iron-X arrived in the post today. I'll try it out IF we get a nice day this weekend...

 

I had to come and post on here, sheerly due to the unbelievable smell of this stuff!!! I was actually nearly physically sick when I smelt it!

Well my Iron-X arrived in the post today. I'll try it out IF we get a nice day this weekend...

 

I had to come and post on here, sheerly due to the unbelievable smell of this stuff!!! I was actually nearly physically sick when I smelt it!

Seriously, the smell has improved massively over the last year or so. It was absolutely rank.

Am I the only one who doesn't think its that bad?

I mean its not nice but dealt with worse things.

Get yourself a couple of dish cleaning brushes and a waterproof sheet (to sit on), spray, leave to work and then set too. I didnt have to press hard just agitate and let it do its stuff.

Mine had about 3+ years worth of break dust and I was happy with the results. See http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/295308-first-proper-clean/

Although you have this sorted now; Iron-X is brilliant, i would suggest anyone try using a solution of stardrops 5:1 first if things are really bad or 10:1 for a general pre-wash before going out and buying dedicated products. You get a 1 litre concentrate bottle for 75p from asda, home bargains etc and it is a god send. Just check out some of its uses on detailing world. You will save yourself a mint on both car and home cleaning products. 

 

Great for:

Cleaning really mucky ares (Wheels, Arches, Sills, engine) (10-5:1)

Striping wax before a detail(5:1)

Removing tar, sap and bird crap (5:1)

Summer Screenwash (20:1)