Need some advice on cleaning rims

[bigwayne3000]

ok so i have a 99 sport 4wd SOHC. the stock rims are very dirty and on one of the tires the dirt is almost a stain. ive gone thru car washes a few times and it doesnt clean the rims at all. is there anything that can help with built on grim on rims that i should look into trying? any advice is greatly appreciated. thanks.

 

[Rayz2000Sport]

Purple Power all purpose degreaser is a good start. Can usually get it at Wal Mart. When I worked at the Ford Stealership, we actually used acid on really dirty rims! But, thats not readily available outside of a detail shop.

Degreaser and a tire/wheel brush will do wonders.

Spray the degreaser on before you wet the wheels, then use a brush. Rinse and repeat. That should work pretty well.

Also, automatic car wash= destroyed paint!

 

[redneckex]

to clean the chrome wheels on my EB i used some very fine steel wool and shined them up from sitting in a field for 2 years. somehow it started right up and runs fine tho.
id say just use some fine steel wool and some wheel cleaner and anything should come off.

 

[bigwayne3000]

i know theres diff # steel wool so what would i want to use? 000 is finer than 00 correct? i also have some stuff on my windows i want to take off is there steel wool i can use that wont leave small scratches on my windows or is it better ot just totally steer clear of steel wool and windows?

 

[Rayz2000Sport]

i know theres diff # steel wool so what would i want to use? 000 is finer than 00 correct? i also have some stuff on my windows i want to take off is there steel wool i can use that wont leave small scratches on my windows or is it better ot just totally steer clear of steel wool and windows?

Steel wool works great on windows! Another thing learned at the stealership! It seems like it would scratch, but it does not. Just use window cleaner and some steel wool, then clean the windows like you normally would

 

[bigwayne3000]

would #000 be good thats the finest steel wool available right? which is finer #000 or #5? i assume 000 since its lower # but i figured id ask before scratching stuff up.

 

[Rayz2000Sport]

Actually, what do you have on your windows that you want to take off?

 

[Rayz2000Sport]

Too be perfectly honest, Our steel wool came on a roll and I have no clue what the rating was. It was pretty fine, relatively soft to the touch and we cut it with tin snips. Do Not Use a Brillo Pad! haha

 

[bigwayne3000]

im in the marines and i have this giant EGA symbol on the back window of my car but its faded and doesnt look good anymore so i want to take it off and get a new one.

 

[redneckex]

i know theres diff # steel wool so what would i want to use? 000 is finer than 00 correct? i also have some stuff on my windows i want to take off is there steel wool i can use that wont leave small scratches on my windows or is it better ot just totally steer clear of steel wool and windows?

i did mine about 2 months ago and i think that i used #0000 which is i think the finest available, the finer' you go the less likely to scratch but you have to work a little bit more because it takes less material off per stroke. it makes any wheel shine, i love the stuff as quoted above by using it on windows, it works great.

 

[Rayz2000Sport]

im in the marines and i have this giant EGA symbol on the back window of my car but its faded and doesnt look good anymore so i want to take it off and get a new one.

So was the a decal/vinyl/sticker at one point?

 

[Rayz2000Sport]

If its a decal/etc. the best way to get it off is a razor blade and some window cleaner. If it is more like a vinyl then you can try heating it up (blow dryer, heat gun=be careful) then working the blade under an edge and pulling it back.

Most cases u will end up using a razor blade and window cleaner to scrape it all off.

 

[Mike Deege]

Nevr dull works well, the stuff is great!

 

[99MercMount]

I dont really know if you found your problem, but my wheels where nasty, completely dull, and I used this stuff, took a while, but they are better than new... if you havent figured it our yet Ill show you what I used and before and after pics...

 

[bigwayne3000]

Rays youre a genious, i picked up some of that Purple Power stuff today from WalMart and tested it out on one of the rims and it took the stuff right off. I was using the 0000 very fine steel wool as well. Worked great, I'm going to be cleaning my car tomorrow so ill finish it than. the rest of my car looks like crap but at least my wheels will shine haha.

 

[99MercMount]

lol, nevermind, but yeah, i was amazed when I did mine, I was close to getting new wheels, but wasnt looking forward to the pricetag lol, but now people are asking me how much they were and I get to tell them that they are stock

 

[Rayz2000Sport]

Rays youre a genious, i picked up some of that Purple Power stuff today from WalMart and tested it out on one of the rims and it took the stuff right off. I was using the 0000 very fine steel wool as well. Worked great, I'm going to be cleaning my car tomorrow so ill finish it than. the rest of my car looks like crap but at least my wheels will shine haha.

Glad to help!! Pass it on!!!

Did you have any luck with your window yet?