Taking wheels off to clean them?

[General Lee]

I maybe the only one but i like the insides of my wheels to look clean and its hard to get full access when they are on the car. Is it an issue to keep taking wheels off to clean them - im thinking if it affects the balancing etc?

[General Lee]

Im usually careful of kerbing my M6 GC 20” wheels but i had to avoid being clipped by a builders van today and scuffed a 1/3rd of my rim on the curb . Although not too gouged the top layer of clear coat has flaked off - i didn’t realise they are diamond cut wheels but I’ve got a great UK company (Smart Auto repairs) who said rather than send them off for a few days to be laser fixed he will get it almost perfect on my drive. It’s only £65 and they did a great job on a small job for me before so I trust them. But does anyone have any experience with getting their wheels repaired.

[Taheemr]

had my front done a few weeks ago paid £120, I was'nt happy with finish, so I replaced the rim cost a painful £900


let us know what it looks like.

[General Lee]

Originally Posted by Taheemr

had my front done a few weeks ago paid £120, I was'nt happy with finish, so I replaced the rim cost a painful £900


let us know what it looks like.

Ouch, fingers crossed i dont need to replace it. Getting it done on the 17th so will keep you posted.

[Havy]

There is nothing wrong with removing the wheels just make sure that you mount them the same direction as you removed them. I also clean my wheel drum I make always a marker were at the inflate valve position. We had two of our wheel also repaired. It is very difficult but if you have a good shop go for it. By the way, I also get at least ones a year a wheel balance and alignment

[General Lee]

Originally Posted by Havy

There is nothing wrong with removing the wheels just make sure that you mount them the same direction as you removed them. I also clean my wheel drum I make always a marker were at the inflate valve position. We had two of our wheel also repaired. It is very difficult but if you have a good shop go for it. By the way, I also get at least ones a year a wheel balance and alignment

Thanks, good to know and lots of good advice.

[MelbourneFinn]

Originally Posted by General Lee

I maybe the only one but i like the insides of my wheels to look clean and its hard to get full access when they are on the car. Is it an issue to keep taking wheels off to clean them - im thinking if it affects the balancing etc?

I wouldn’t worry about removing them for normal maintenance clean, but every now and then a good idea to keep them properly clean.

For maintenance clean, get a woollywormit, great for cleaning wide rims from inside. Doesn’t fit between the rim and the brake calliper on 20” wheels, but after cleaning the wheels, move the car by half a wheel length (1 meter or so), then clean the part that was inaccessible.

Also, apply a couple of coatings of wax on the rim surface, makes cleaning a lot easier. I use either Autoglym paste wax, or the same Collonite as on the paint. Feels the brake dust doesn’t stick to them as easily as unwaxed, so they look clean a little bit longer, too...

Also, your curb rash certainly wouldn’t justify replacing the whole rim if what’s in the pictures is the only damage. In the worst case, you may need to send the rim to be diamond cut polished, but tha should be in the range of £150-200 at the worst.

[Sleazy_1981]

Sonax wheel and tire cleaner. No need to remove wheel. The stuff is magic.

[Whipple]

Watch this vid it will give you some ideas, I follow this exact regimen with great results it’s worth it

[Havy]

Holy cow what kind of products is he using? The result is great but ......a hell of a work.

[General Lee]

Originally Posted by Havy

Holy cow what kind of products is he using? The result is great but ......a hell of a work.

wow indeed - what a job

[General Lee]

Originally Posted by Whipple

Watch this vid it will give you some ideas, I follow this exact regimen with great results it’s worth it

very impressive.

[General Lee]

Originally Posted by MelbourneFinn

I wouldn’t worry about removing them for normal maintenance clean, but every now and then a good idea to keep them properly clean.

For maintenance clean, get a woollywormit, great for cleaning wide rims from inside. Doesn’t fit between the rim and the brake calliper on 20” wheels, but after cleaning the wheels, move the car by half a wheel length (1 meter or so), then clean the part that was inaccessible.

Also, apply a couple of coatings of wax on the rim surface, makes cleaning a lot easier. I use either Autoglym paste wax, or the same Collonite as on the paint. Feels the brake dust doesn’t stick to them as easily as unwaxed, so they look clean a little bit longer, too...

Also, your curb rash certainly wouldn’t justify replacing the whole rim if what’s in the pictures is the only damage. In the worst case, you may need to send the rim to be diamond cut polished, but tha should be in the range of £150-200 at the worst.

thanks for this valuable feedback. I hadn’t thought about moving the car forward a bit to clean the obscured part - brilliant! Thanks for the reassurance about the rim. I’ll see what my mobile guy can do for £65 (he saw it and says he can do a very good job and he does work for a few big car dealers) and as you say if not happy will have it sent off to have it lathed. I’ll try the wax too - thanks.

[General Lee]

Originally Posted by Whipple

Watch this vid it will give you some ideas, I follow this exact regimen with great results it’s worth it

watched the video, that’s brilliant and thanks for sharing...

[General Lee]

Originally Posted by Sleazy_1981

Sonax wheel and tire cleaner. No need to remove wheel. The stuff is magic.

thanks for the tip...

[Havy]

General Lee,
As I am thinking always for things to improve I made a wheel turning device. Before I used a piece of wood. to protect the rims.

[General Lee]

Originally Posted by Havy

General Lee,
As I am thinking always for things to improve I made a wheel turning device. Before I used a piece of wood. to protect the rims.

Thats a BRILLIANT IDEA!

[General Lee]

Originally Posted by Taheemr

had my front done a few weeks ago paid £120, I was'nt happy with finish, so I replaced the rim cost a painful £900


let us know what it looks like.

Had the mobile wheel repair guy come to fix my curbed wheel today. Whilst it wasn’t the full lathe fix for £65 i was pleased - you can see where it was done but at a glance it juts looks like a different reflection so quite happy.

[Havy]

First of all congratulations. Did he removed the tire as the position is now different.

[General Lee]

Originally Posted by Havy

First of all congratulations. Did he removed the tire as the position is now different.

Thanks, im not sure as he was working in his vehicle. I didnt notice that ...well spotted. I suppose he must have...

[General Lee]

Originally Posted by Havy

First of all congratulations. Did he removed the tire as the position is now different.

Although he repaired 2 sections, one by the valve although my photos dont show the other larger section that was fixed very clearly. That shows its not obvious where the fix was without close inspection - i should have taken clearer photos of the whole wheel.

[Flo1989]

Highly, HIGHLY recommend you or a reputable detailer ceramic coat the wheels when you remove them. Gtechniq C5 wheel armor has been my wheel coating of choice and I have it both on my m6gc and panamera GTS and it makes cleaning 10x easier. Yes, brake dust will still occur, but the amount that actually sticks to the wheel will be greatly reduced. Also, I’d recommend getting a E-Z detail brush. The smaller of the two versions gets behind the rotors and calipers on the front wheels. If you decide to opt for a coating, you’ll only need to use a non acid / PH neutral soap to clean them - Nothing too harsh as that could affect the longevity of the coating.