Cleaning Wire Wheels

Does anyone have the "ultimate" method of cleaning wire wheels?

I have 72 Spoke chrome wires with stainless steel spokes, and I'm looking for a "quick" and simple method which gives good results.

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers

Hello Alan,
I assume you have the standard long brush?, and I'm afraid that is as good as it gets. I have a power washer and that was not effective.
I see queries from time to time about people wanting to convert to wire wheels, I always suggest that they don't unless they enjoy a tedious cleaning exercise.
Sorry.

Alec

Alan, I'm not into the laborious task of cleaning my wheels, but I like 'em to look nice. I've found an easy way to get it done. Try Mother's Wheel Mist for wire and chrome wheels, it's absolutely terrific. It comes in a red plastic spray bottle, I got it a Murray's Auto Parts. You spray it on, wait two minutes and spray it off with a hose. Assuming they were in good condition to begin with, your wheels will look as if they came out of the factory without tedious brushing or polishing - no kidding.

David Z.

I also have a spray bottle from a company called "Classic Tire and Wheel". Wet the wheel, spray it on, let sit for a few minutes and wash off. Works like a charm. I got it from British Wire Wheel here in California (check vendor links). I've also got 72-spoke chrome and stainless wheels.

I recall it's a mixture of hydrochloric and hydroflouric acids, so it's not for painted wheels, your hands or eyes. It cleans everything off, rinses beautifully and dries without spots.


John, BN4

Alan...I use Eagle One Chrome & Wire Cleaner...a spray on product...I had a bit of rust on a couple of my wheels...that were removed using this stuff...I used a brush on them to help...and now I just simply spray on wait a few minutes and hose my wheel down and it's sparkling shiny...the only small problem I have is a bit of the water stains that I can't dry off..we have lots of clorine in our watersupply...

Thanks Guys.

I looked up the products you mentioned on the net and they all look really good a should give me what I want.

Unfortunatly I can't find any UK importers of these cleaners, but I will keep looking.

The UK is an important market and I would have thought that someone would want to sell these products. All we can seem to get is alloy wheel cleaner and I am a little reluctant to try this, as they might have some adverse reaction with the chrome/stainless steel combination of my wheels.

Alec...I do indeed have the "good old brush" and have used it many times!....

Regards to all

I've also had good results with Eagle One . Last weekend tried Turtle Wax Foaming wheel Cleaner and was very disappointed. I use an air compresser to dry off my chrome spoke wheels and prevent spots.

I always got very good results with AutoGlym products, they tend to be a little expensive but they are very good.

Danny

Well I think I have found a solution for UK listers, so Alec you can hang up your faithful wire brush!.

Halfords (Modern car Supermarket type place in the UK) are now selling a foam wheel cleaner in a aerosol can. It is marked Halfords Wheel cleaner and has a picture of a wire wheel on the can.

I don't have a clue who makes this for Halfords but it really does work.

I sprayed my wires with the foam, left it for two minutes and then just gently washed off with a sponge. The wheels are now really clean and there is no reidue effect, (white powder), and no need to polish. A jet cleaner would be more effective for really stubborn deposits.

Cheers

Beejay, does it say anything about factory painted wire wheels? Or painted brake drums and disc brakes?

Tahoe

There is nothing specific on the can relating to painted wheels or other components such as Brake drums or painted wheels.

I did try it on my spare wheel, which is a pretty old 60 spoke painted wire and it cleaned it up very well. Also, as I didn't take off the rear wheels to clean them a fair amount of foam found it's way onto my silver painted rear brake drums.
No harm was done to the paint and it got rid of all surface dust and even some old staining, (from an old brake leak).

Seems pretty good stuff to me, especially as I can't get hold of any of the specialised cleaners that are available in the States and Canada.

Cheers

Thanks. That sounds like a good endorsement. Now can I find the stuff ofer here is the question.

Alan,
I know of 3 excellent German brands of wheel cleaner. Perhaps you can find them in the UK more easily than American brands. They are: Einszett (1Z), Klasse, or P21S. All 3 are safe on all types of wheels and clean very well. My personal favorite is Einszett. I know that Einszett goes by the same name in Europe, but I think P21S and perhaps Klasse go by a different name in Europe. I wish I knew what their European names are, but I don't. Here's the website for Einszett:
https://www.einszett.de/
Hopefully you can find one of these in the UK. I was going to offer to send you a sample of the Einszett wheel cleaner but then I realized it might be really expensive to send to the UK. However, if you're interested in having me look into the cost, I'll certainly do it. Maybe we could split the cost? Or, perhaps you'll find it easy to find in the UK. It's great stuff.
Good luck!

For painted wire wheels I have used a product caled "Lifter 1 Bug & Tar Remover" which has some citrus oil in it. Spray it on, wait 30 seconds, and hose it off. Removes brake dust and hub grease quite well.