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Wheel cleaner?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by JagerB0MB, Feb 20, 2020.

  1. Feb 20, 2020 at 3:43 PM
    #1
    JagerB0MB

    JagerB0MB [OP] Active Member

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    You guys have been extremely helpful. Hoping to get some more advice, I had a caliper on the passenger side hang up. Wasn’t able to get to it for a while and it’s left HEAVY brake dust and corrosion on the rim. I’ve been trying cleaners from my local parts store and Walmart but nothing is touching it. Found this acid based cleaner on line but it warns not to use on “PVD, polished uncoated aluminum, plastic or anodized rims.” Wasn’t sure of anyone knew if the rims fall into any of these categories...
    upload_2020-2-20_18-43-32.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 20, 2020
  2. Feb 20, 2020 at 5:15 PM
    #2
    2015 TRD Sport

    2015 TRD Sport Well-Known Member

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    I used some stuff from Dollar Tree called "LA Awesome" to clean heavy brake dust I had on my rims and that stuff worked better than anything else I ever tried, and it was only a $1. Didn't do any damage to my rims
     
    cleats50 likes this.
  3. Feb 20, 2020 at 5:24 PM
    #3
    TomTwo

    TomTwo I love God but I cuss a little

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    @JagerBOMB the acid based wheel cleaner will F :censored: K up your center caps. I would stick with simple green or something like that. just my .02
     
  4. Feb 20, 2020 at 5:39 PM
    #4
    IL Capo

    IL Capo Well-Known Member

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  5. Feb 20, 2020 at 5:41 PM
    #5
    Greenedmc

    Greenedmc Well-Known Member

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    Chemical guys Iron Decon and/or Diablo wheel cleaner has worked well for me
     
  6. Feb 20, 2020 at 5:44 PM
    #6
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    Fantastic and a toothbrush.
     
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  7. Feb 20, 2020 at 6:54 PM
    #7
    gotoman1969

    gotoman1969 Well-Known Member

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    Dawn dishwashing liquid and a really good brush and some elbow grease, scrub scrub scrub
     
  8. Feb 20, 2020 at 11:49 PM
    #8
    nobescare

    nobescare Well-Known Member

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    Spray Nine. Spray it on a dry wheel. Let it sit for a minut . Then scrub and rinse
     
  9. Feb 21, 2020 at 12:18 AM
    #9
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

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    Those look like the wheels on my truck.
    I’m going to say they are coated. (Powder coating?)
    The coating on mine has been coming off for years.
    Some will claim it’s from using a loose socket on the impact wrench.
    But mine actually started peeling on the “spoke” of the wheel first.

    I’d personally NOT use the cleaner you mention.
    Simply on the fact, that if there is an abrasions that goes through to the aluminum.
    It may cause the coating (powder coating?) to peel off.

    FWIW, I think early model trucks might of had a TSB on the coating peeling off.
    When I found out about it, it was too late. No big deal to me.
    I just don’t “scrub” my wheels as often.
     
    cleats50 likes this.
  10. Feb 21, 2020 at 1:14 AM
    #10
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    diluted SIMPLE GREEN fortified with elbow grease
     
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  11. Feb 21, 2020 at 2:58 AM
    #11
    Delta09

    Delta09 Jesus On The Dashboard

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    Zep Purple Industrial Degreaser is a good off the shelf product. Can be found at almost any Lowe's or Home Depot. For filthy wheels I use a wheel acid from Meguiars, but for the average person I'd avoid that as it's something you have to be super careful with. Those second gen TRD wheels are painted aluminum and with age and certain conditions will corrode and peel like mad. I can confirm a wheel acid will make that problem worse, but I knew the risk going in. Meguiars also makes a Non-Acid version that is really good, not quite as strong, but works well. Unfortunately it has to be ordered online by the gallon. However if you dilute it to the lowest strength it will be cost effective and is a good daily wash cleaner.
     
  12. Feb 21, 2020 at 3:41 AM
    #12
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

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    I've been detailing vehicles for over 20 years and have tried numerous wheel cleaners with varying success. The only wheel cleaner I now use is Poor Boys Spray & Rinse. Trust me, this stuff rocks!

    https://poorboysworld.com/spray-rinse-wheel-cleaner.html

    Let me add one more bit of advice. Are you sure what you're dealing with is actually just brake dust? Sometimes when you go "metal to metal" on worn out brakes, you get a rusty looking mess that's actually rusted hot iron particles imbedded in the wheel. If that's what you have, you need to use an iron removal chemical to get the imbedded particles out first.
     
  13. Feb 21, 2020 at 3:42 AM
    #13
    That one old guy

    That one old guy Well-Known Member

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    Purple Power on a wet wheel, let soak a minute or 2, aggressive scrub, rinse well, shines like a diamond in a goat's ass! :rockband:
     
  14. Feb 21, 2020 at 6:09 AM
    #14
    TacoFergie

    TacoFergie Well-Known Member

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    If it is from brake pads you will want an Iron Decon. This is available in most autoparts stores. Make sure you spray it on to a DRY wheel, any pre-wetting WILL dilute to be not very effective.

    https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G18...?keywords=meguiars+iron&qid=1582293686&sr=8-3

    Next use the wheel cleaner of your choice. I prefer ArmorAll Extreme Wheel and Tire Cleaner, also available at most autoparts stores. I have used MANY other products, all that are mentioned above and they all work but not as well as this. I HATE HATE HATE ALL AromorAll products, but this one is fantastic! What I like about it is that its safe on pretty much any wheel and removes ALL the browning from the tire in 1 or 2 applications with minimal scrubbing that is common for most detailers to run into. This is a must to ensure the tire is as clean as possible for your tire dressing to last as long as it can. Also apply when before wetting the wheel/tire down.

    https://www.amazon.com/Armor-All-Ex...+wheel+and+tile+cleaner&qid=1582293805&sr=8-3

    I have tried many different cleaners, from McKees 37, BleachWhite (good, but only for tires), all the ones mentioned above, a couple citrus all purpose/degreasers and most of Meguiars Professional line of cleaners. So far I am most happy with the ones I shared above. Meguiars D1801 Iron decon is fantastic, but I don't recommend it as it comes in a gallon and not many people need that much iron decon.

    FYI the tire dressing I used below is CarPro Perl mixed to 4:1, I like the satin finish that it gives and decent life too.

    IMG_0825.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2020
    BillsSR5 and Crow Horse like this.
  15. Feb 21, 2020 at 6:07 PM
    #15
    cleats50

    cleats50 Well-Known Member

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    There is an LA Awesome for Automotive I buy at the Family Dollar for $1 in a black spray bottle that is the best product I have tried and by FAR the cheapest.
     

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