Hi all,

Can anyone identify these gold-ish colour stains on my wheels?

How can I remove it?

I have tried both P21S Wheel Cleaner and Total Auto Wash, but had no joy.

Thanks in advance,

Adam

 

have you tried claying the wheels yet...looks like really caked on brake dust or something from the road.

 

Hmm....clay couldn't hurt.....how about something a tad stronger like simple green straight (not diluted) and let it soak.....

when you run your fingernail over it does it have a "lip" where it gets discolored?

It does look like some seriously hot brake dust that etched into the wheels.....if thats the case a very careful compounding or wetsanding is worth a shot.....cause if you can't get it off you need to refinish the wheels anyway!

 

Road tar, brake dust, brake pad adhesive, all baked on and hardened-

Many of these hot metal particles land on your rim and literally fuse themselves to the surface. Finally there is brake pad adhesive, modern brake pads are complex compounds of metals, synthetic materials and adhesives (the binder system) which is designed to wear away under friction like the rest of the pad. The adhesives used in brake pads can be very difficult to remove and they are also corrosive and will etch the wheel surface, the metal particles from the pads and rotors will become a conduit for rust compromising the paint surface of your wheel.

1.Road dirt / tar / brake pad adhesive should be removed with a solvent type cleaner (Stoner’s Tarminator ™ ) and any bonded contaminants or over spray removed with Detailer's Clay, then clean surface with a chemical cleaner / polish (Zaino All-In-One) wash and dry wheel surface thoroughly.
2.Once the brake dust has been removed with a 100% acid-free wheel cleaner (P21S Wheel Cleaner) apply a citrus based cleaner (P21S Total Auto Wash) to the surface, agitate with a boar’s hair wheel brush and rinse off, dry thoroughly and then apply a polymer sealant for protection, this will also make future cleaning easier

 

couldn't have said better.

 

TOGWT, nice write up!

The polymer sealant is critical to reduce and or prevent future issues.

Adam with any luck your clearcoat is intact and you can get the wheels looking new again.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys!

I took a gamble on these wheels and bought them off eBay without any pictures!

The price was right, so I'm not complaining. the rears are in top notch condition, it's only the front that have this problem.

I only mention it because I don't want you thinking I let my own wheels get into this state! I understand that regular maintenance makes things much easier in the long run - You don't have to deal with stuff like this!

I'll give a more agrresive cleaner and claying a go and report back how I get on!

Thanks again,

Adam

 

look forward to it.

 

Looks more like a transportation coating, like cosmoline, that wasn't completely removed from the wheels during PDI at the dealership.

Try using some mineral spirits on those areas and inside the wheels. Try with a cotton terry towel first, elbow grease is needed, and if that doesn't work try using a Mr. Clean eraser pad.

The eraser pad may scratch the surface lightly so you may need to polish the wheels lightly after.

Anthony

 

It looks to be cosmoline or brake dust. On the face of the wheel, simply polish using a mild polish like Menzerna Final Polish. On the inner portion of the wheel, use a cosmoline remover like Zymol Strik. It safely removes cosmoline without damaginf the clear coat on the wheels

 

"I have tried both P21S Wheel Cleaner and Total Auto Wash, but had no joy."

I surmised that a de-limone solvent (citrus ) cleaner like P21s Total Auto or P21S Wheel Cleaner, either of which should have removed Cosmoline.

 

Depends on time it has been sitting there, baking in. I've had a real difficult time removing cosmoline that had not been fully removed from the inner wheels parts as it seems heat + time = STUCK ON LIKE GLUE!!

I found soaking a towel in mineral spirits works well, then wash those areas and rinse well.

Anthony