Wheels: the effect of neglect and/or improper cleaning :-/

[DC53 LSY]

Take one reasonable-looking 18" MG ZT alloy wheel:



...but now let's get in close:





While it looks like the spots/dots would come off with the right cleaner, or even claying, what you'e actually looking at is complete paintwork burnthrough, right down to the metal itself. This last picture makes it very obvious:

.

A couple of things to note:

1) Only a third of the wheel is effected, presumably because that part was facing upward and whatever cut into the finish didn't drain away;
2) Mainly only the left hand side of the spokes are affected. Again this is probably because of the way the car was parked: whatever burnt into the finish on the left hand side of the spokes was able to sufficiently drain away from the right hand side.

I am therefore of the opinion that this is damage caused by an acidic cleaner which was left to rest in the crevices of the wheel. Quite possibly it was aided and abetted by brakedust, which, along with the cleaner, wasn't sufficiently rinsed away, and together they formed a highly-corrosive liquid-come-paste which has burned right through the paintwork of the wheel.

Some people really should have all their toys taken away on the grounds of being too darn stupid to use them properly.

[al_dente]

Someone once warned me that many of the 'hand wash' outfits use acidic solution as an easy way to clean wheels. After repeated use it removes the laquer and causes the finish to deteriorate.

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this - it would be good to know whether this is true or not.

Al

[suffolk boy]

looks very similar to a special effect i managed to get using a steam cleaner at high temp.did not bother me they where of for a refurb anyway

[DC53 LSY]

Originally Posted by al_dente

Someone once warned me that many of the 'hand wash' outfits use acidic solution as an easy way to clean wheels. After repeated use it removes the laquer and causes the finish to deteriorate.

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this - it would be good to know whether this is true or not.

Al

I've heard that horror story too which is why I don't use them; no easy way to judge the good from the bad because most people's ideas of 'good' are lower than mine, and so even if I asked someone locally to recommend me a good hand-wash place, there's no saying I would be pleased with how they treat my car.

But in any case I really just wanted to point out the dangers of using these substances, rather than blame any one type of valeter/detailer in particular

[pevil]

Well I'll carry on washing mine myself, actually I find it very therapeutic particularly if the weather's nice, as with other things if you keep on top of it it's not such hard work and as long as the wheels don't get too dirty ordinary shampoo will clean them, just my two pence worth.

[Synchromesh]

I had a ZT with gridspokes. The leading edge of every spoke was corroding under the paint. Looked at others and they were the same. Think the leading edge is abraded by water and road dirt.

[James.uk]

I only check that I have a working wheel with a good tyre on each corner, the rest is cosmetic innit.. lol...
...

[rovexCDTi]

Wheels are the most neglected part of a cars body. Like any painted surface they should be 'waxed', but not with normal wax, it wont stand up to the heat and abrasive dust. You need a specialist wheel sealant, or a high temperature synthetic.

Good examples are FK1000P, Gtechniq C5 or Permanon. Most of the nano and ceramic sealants will work as well.

Dont use the acidic cleaners, they will etch the paint and dissolve Aluminiums natural oxide protective layer. If the wheels are sealed properly with a good product all they will need is a pH neutral shampoo, and often not even that, just a rinse.