nicholascanada

After exhaustive Forum searching I went with Simple Green but the first go did not seem to do much. After a winter of crud, the inside plastic well covering (especially behind the rear wheels) is caked on dirt in areas. Do most think Simple Green is the way to go or are there better alternatives? Maybe I just needed to put some more elbow grease into it LOL

XLR82XS

SONAX acid-free wheel cleaner may help.

asellus

Mud? No need to involve chemicals or surfactants.

Stick the hose in there and spray it away.

If spraying it doesn't wash it away, hit it with a brush a little, then spray. Repeat until clean.

OP is looking to clean wheel wells, not wheels.

XLR82XS

I know. I have used stronger cleaners in wheel wells with good results on really bad condition liners.

LexVan

Every year, prior to winter hibernation, I pull all the wheels and clean everything reachable in the wheel well area and suspension.

I've been very successful with a 50% cut of Simple Green. For tougher spots, I use a citrus degreaser.

All rubber and plastic is coated with Aerospace 303.

Calipers and wheels coated with Optimum Gloss Coat.

Painted well areas are coated with RejeX Wax. Topped with Armor All Outlast to make clean up the following year super easy.

My Kranzel is super helpful, too.

polobai

Pressure washer ftw!

BSO

I agree, take off the wheels for access. In the front, it's worthwhile at this time to remove the wheel liners and remove the gravel build up from the front radiator fan shrouds.

Road tar can really get attached to the plastic and may take a stronger solvent to do the job.

Icebreaker

I pressure wash and then use a good tire cleaner in my wheel wells because that breaks down the dirt better than anything on the black plastic.
Once clean, I use this product from Stoner... although it is very difficult to source:



Here is video that might help:

smgkc

P&S Brake Buster in a 50/50 water mix in an IK Foam Cannon, let sit for ~2min not in direct sunlight. I then take a microfiber long brush and scrub and rinse until i see no dust or color on the white part of the microfiber.

Z00mie

Break lug nuts loose, jack car up and safety it, remove wheels, dunk soft Boars Hair brush in a bucket of hot tap water, pour a couple of tablespoons of auto shampoo directly on brush bristles, scrub, rinse and repeat until exhausted (or all four corners are clean!) Good time to clean inner "barrel" of wheels also (as if you weren't beat already.) Use compressed air to blow out all the pebbles and crap that get lodged in there also. In October-ish before storing it, do it again.

This ritual gives you a chance to look at the suspension, tires and brakes and see how things are fairing that don't often get much notice or love...

LexVan

Here's how your wheel wells can look even after +70,000 miles:

996TS

Wow, how did this not get any Likes?? Impressive!

You seem like the right person to ask... I am deep down the product rabbit hole right now and considering:
- 303 Multi Surface Cleaner to clean my wheel wells prior to storage (squeezing my arm between the tire)
- 303 Protectant (or 303 Touchless Sealant...) to spray after cleaning to provide some protection

I won't be able to do a wheels-off cleaning until spring, but you definitely set the bar high!

LexVan

Thank you. Sold the car back in April to another happy Rennlister. My new GT3 is in winter hibernation till March/April, but I did get to do 1,200 glorious miles in October.

For my wheel wells and calipers, all those areas are scrubbed with Simple Green, Rinsed well with the Kranzle. The big reds are then coated with Optimum Gloss Coat. The painted wheel well areas are hit with a quick coat of RejeX Wax. All the black plastic is coated with Aerospace 303 Protectant.

996TS

Excellent! Congrats on the GT3

Thanks for the response

LexVan

Thank you. Anytime.

Save your elbow grease for when you can pull the wheels. This is a tough job. Only way possible is to get the wheels off the car. I do one side at a time over a 2 day period. Takes about 2-2.5 hours per side, start-to-finish.