gravedgr

I was giving the car a quick once-over this weekend and found quite a few splotches of some black, tar-like substance on some of the wheels. They aren't large, and come off to a fingernail - but not my scrub brush. Any recommendations for getting them off easily without messing with the wheel finish?

pongobaz

Stoner's bug & tar remover works well.

500

Some car wax on a damp rag will take it right off

DrDrilZ

i have used a clay bar for this residue and it works well.

Chris C.

Get some 3m Imperial Hand Polish. Useful for all kind of smudges, including that pesky track tire snot!

Deanski

If the wax is a cleaner wax it will remove light marring and defects. Pure wax will do nothing unless it's full of solvents.

Use a clay bar first or a tar remover as that's what it sounds like as opposed to brake dust. Do not let the tar remover dwell long.

Then, obtain a good sealant like Klasse or other to protect the wheel. Wax cannot take the heat from the braking. Sealants protect better, but not too long due to heat. Once protected, washing becomes a bit better in brake dust removal.

Never use a "wheel cleaner" unless you check that it will not damage coated wheels.

Regards,
Deanski

nyca

P21S is a safe, effective wheel cleaner.

Deanski

Yes it is! It's one of the best mild cleaners out for wheels. A bit costly even in bulk.

It's those other wheel cleaners that are not designed for coated wheels or say that they are.

This is why a good mild cleaner or claying will remove it. I use several cleaners for degreasing one of them is Meguiars APC+ (my last gallon) as they don't make the "+" anymore. You cut it with water for all types of cleaning. Works very well.

Deanski

dstrimbu

Clean your wheels completely, then apply two coats of Rejex... grunge issues will go away. Just MHO, works for me with the damned hard-to-clean Sport Designs. I clean my protected wheels with soap and water... even tar washes off!

-don

MJones

Just thought you might like to know what that substance is:

It is the adhesive that binds the brake pads to their backing plates that is released via heat generated under braking...

porschedog

Here's one more vote for Rejex on wheels - esp. the "inside" area.
I find it cuts the cursing by at least 78% every time I wash the beast.

THPorsche

Just wondering, do you reapply Rejex to the wheels after each wash?

brad@tirerack.com

Simple Green is what I use.

dstrimbu

No! No need to do that, TH - just every couple of months or so. In fact, I'm planning to hit the car with two more coats of Rejex tonight (It's been three months since I've applied, and it's still beading water VERY well) - and I probably will NOT do the wheels... they're still releasing dirt very nicely...

Great stuff! A bit of a pain to apply (it's hard to see the coats you're putting down!) - two coats are best to insure coverage. OTHO, Rejex wipes off effortlessly, so no issues there...

Make sure that the wheels are spotlessly clean - you don't want to capture foreign material underneath the protectant coat.

-don

THPorsche

Thanks Don I only use Rejex on the wheel and P21s on the body.