IXLR8

There was probably a bunch of snow outside and I had nothing better to do.

crw

The Armor All protectant works well.

However, be careful not to let it get near the stick on wheel weights.

It will dissolve out the adhesive and the weight will fall off.

I out painters tape over and around the wheel weights and take it off once the protectant dries.

_snowbird_

My routine is a wheels-off cleaning once a year, using P21S APC as the detergent with a detailing sponge. Then I clay bar the wheels and barrels, then apply a good synthetic sealant.

Had very good results this year using Sonax PNS as the paint sealant. Very durable, and makes cleaning the wheels easy during my normal car wash routine. During a normal wash, I clean the wheels with just soapy water, a sponge, and Wheel Woolies to reach into the barrels. My wheels stay looking as good as new.

Redd

For tar removal try diesel fuel or heating oil.
It dissolves the tar easily without too much rubbing. The fact it is a bit oily serves as somewhat of a lubricant so you're not scratching anything.
I've used it to remove a layer of tar off the rocker panels of another car when I accidentally drove over some tar on a road they were paving.
Worked great......but you have to use soapy water to wash off the fuel afterwards.

Redd

Has anyone used Opti Coat to protect their wheels?
http://opticoat.com.au/opti-coat-pro


Or how about ShineSeal ?
http://www.shineseal.com/products.htm

Redd

I've used Zoop Seal (...what a name !) in the past to protect an aluminum intake for a small block chevy I was rebuiliding.
I think the company is no longer in business and may be the ShineSeal product mentioned in my previous post.
Anyways.... the product has held up really well on the bare aluminum intake. It gets pretty hot on this intake and sometimes gas from a flooded carb.... (once) and it is still as good as new.

Cactus

Simple Green

bruce7

Thanks for the tip on the Wurth product. Just ordered a quart in spray bottle
and will check it out. I tried to buy the Facto product once before and if I
remember right, it is a Canadian company and they weren't able to ship it
into the US.

-bruce

Foxman

Thanks for posting this, and Cactus too. I just used the 50% simple green on the Fikses and it worked very nicely. These wheels have lots of nooks and crannies and a good wheel cleaning solution makes a huge difference.

Foxman

Simple green 50% diluted.





Simple green 50%

ToSi

careful using it, Wurth says it's acidic (PH = 2.5)

"Aluminum Brightener is a liquid, specialized blend of acids and surfactants designed for use in the trucking, railway and transportation industry. It can be used by itself to remove build-up from exhaust fumes, petrolium oils and metallic oxides from painted surfaces, aluminum, steel, chrome and various alloys. Aluminum Brightener removes oxide films and brightens aluminum trailers, aluminum rail cars and other transportation vehicles."

IXLR8

Bruce, I think you might be referring to the Facto AT30 which is a water-based degreaser that I highly recommended many times.

The Facto AT34 is an aluminum brightener. I got a sample a long time ago and first used it on the cast block of an old BMW motorcycle. Unfortunately I do not have any before pics, but that flywheel area looked like hell.



The products are sold by White River - Swish Maintenance out of VT and NY.

bruce7

Yes, you're right I was thinking of AT30 and went back and found the threads.
I will find a use for the Wurth/AT34 but I would like to find a gallon size source
of the AT30. I'll check with Swish and see what I can find out.

-bruce

IXLR8

I think earossi got some shipped. Its a matter of getting a hold of the contact at Swish in VT. I drive down stateside and get my own product cheaper...go figure.

IXLR8

I just called their head US office and they gave me some crazy $100 shipping price. I buy it for far less than that in the US.

It would be best to call FedEx or UPS and get a ground shipping quote for a 45 pound 20 liter pail. I have had car parts orders weighing that and shipped for far less than $50.

By the way, it is not classified as a hazardous product.