I am taking the opportunity to refurb my old wheels while I have some others on the car, I have already sanded out all the curbing but now need to clean them to spotless as I doubt they have ever been done. Can anyone recommend a really strong and readily available  wheel cleaner? I think it is going to need to be above the normal strength to clear the insides of the wheels. Thanks

Screwfix do an acid based brick and patio cleaner that is very severe , only to be used as a last hope though , I cleaned a set of Evo 6 wheels that had been used at SPA and had a 2 mm layer of brake pad material stuck to them , had to use scothbrite as well but they were ok when finished

 

 

These are pretty filthy, I suppose I could just leave it on for a few minutes. I am going to rub them down further anyway and remove all the balance weights so as long as they don't melt I am happy.

The last 3 sets of wheels I've bought have been covered in brake dust.

 

I generally use whatever is handiest and a foam scourer pad (on the inside rim only as it does leave minute scratch marks)

 

Chem Guys Citrus Wash + Gloss is good if used double strength.  It strips waxes, etc.

 

or

1 cup laundry powder to 8L water - it's quite harsh.

 

both of these it's easiest to apply the suds and move to the next wheel so it soaks in for a few minutes.

 

I've also used a laundry pre-wash spray - according to fine print it was 95% hydrocarbons which is almost like carb cleaner.

 

I've used a plastic scraper to dislodge tar chunks and removed tar spots with a dedicated tar removal chemical.

 

I've used Iron-X but it doesn't seem to have much effect after using the other chemicals.

 

Usually I then go over the whole wheel with a clay bar & lube & apply a few coats of sealant.

I used to use wonder wheels till I split some on the concrete drive and it started to fizz and wear away the concrete ...

I managed it in the end, I just sanded them down after using bleach. They were just drying in the sun till the rain came... Now in my dining room stinking of laquer..