Ok, since you people started me down this path…let’s talk wheel care.

[JoeDimwit]

Now that you’ve got me washing the car “properly”, and I’m going to diy clay and ceramic it, I’m wondering about the wheels. Specifically, do I just treat them to the same clean/clay/ceramic treatment, or is there some other “best practice” to keep them shiny and clean? HALP!

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[agoldman]

The painted areas are kind of like regular painted areas on the car. The metal part more so what you would do with any aluminum wheels. Because the grit that accumulates easier of the wheel area, and is always lurking just behind the shiny areas, it is very easy to scratch the black painted areas of the wheels, so use caution.

 

[Davedough]

Get yourself a wheel brush drill attachment like this:

Clean them regularly to avoid build up. Build up of brake dust and road grime will eat into the paint and be very hard to get off if left too long.

DO NOT USE ACID BASED CLEANERS

When you get your wheels all clean, wax them. Yes, with regular car wax. This inhibits brake dust from sticking to them and makes them easier to clean

 

[JoeDimwit]

Get yourself a wheel brush drill attachment like this:

Clean them regularly to avoid build up. Build up of brake dust and road grime will eat into the paint and be very hard to get off if left too long.

DO NOT USE ACID BASED CLEANERS

When you get your wheels all clean, wax them. Yes, with regular car wax. This inhibits brake dust from sticking to them and makes them easier to clean

So, no ceramic coat, just wax them?

 

[ChasingCoral]

OK, so what's the best way to clean those lovely red calipers on my FE?

I've been doing the wash with the microfiber mit/cloth, roll forward a little, wash again routine but that's a pain and really requires a second person watching the rotation. Outside of new wheels (which may be an option down the road), how do you reach in to clean those calipers?

 

[Davedough]

So, no ceramic coat, just wax them?

Ceramic coat would work, but that's kind of pricey for wheels. Wax will work just fine.

OK, so what's the best way to clean those lovely red calipers on my FE?

I've been doing the wash with the microfiber mit/cloth, roll forward a little, wash again routine but that's a pain and really requires a second person watching the rotation. Outside of new wheels (which may be an option down the road), how do you reach in to clean those calipers?

My current car has red calipers and I upgraded to a big brake kit so I have VERY little room for cleaning them. Unfortunately that's the only way I've found that I've been able to do it. It's a giant PITA but it kind of comes with the territory for having a cool car =)

 

[ChasingCoral]

Ceramic coat would work, but that's kind of pricey for wheels. Wax will work just fine.

Fortunately my place is throwing in ceramic on the wheels and calipers since I'm doing a PPF and ceramic package soon.

 

[JoeDimwit]

Ceramic coat would work, but that's kind of pricey for wheels. Wax will work just fine.

I think you’re misunderstanding me. I’m not having the car (and wheels) ceramic coated professionally, but rather using an over the counter, DIY ceramic coating. So, the cost would be minimal to me. I’m also toying with the idea of taking a dremmen and some jewelers rouge to the unpainted surfaces to bring them to a mirror like finish.

 

[Davedough]

I think you’re misunderstanding me. I’m not having the car (and wheels) ceramic coated professionally, but rather using an over the counter, DIY ceramic coating. So, the cost would be minimal to me. I’m also toying with the idea of taking a dremmen and some jewelers rouge to the unpainted surfaces to bring them to a mirror like finish.

In that case, go for it. You're basically just providing a thin layer of dust-guard for your wheels to make them easier to wipe off and creating something the dust has trouble adhering to, so that would work as well. I usually do mine about every 6 months or so. Pretty much coinciding with fall and spring to prepare and combat the effects of winter. All other times, I just wash with a good quality soap and the 2 bucket method (worth researching if you don't like micro scratches in your paint)

As far as taking a dremmel to your wheels, you're a braver man than I am lol. I'd be interested to see how they turn out.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Just saw this posted in another thread:

 

[JoeDimwit]

In that case, go for it. You're basically just providing a thin layer of dust-guard for your wheels to make them easier to wipe off and creating something the dust has trouble adhering to, so that would work as well. I usually do mine about every 6 months or so. Pretty much coinciding with fall and spring to prepare and combat the effects of winter. All other times, I just wash with a good quality soap and the 2 bucket method (worth researching if you don't like micro scratches in your paint)

As far as taking a dremmel to your wheels, you're a braver man than I am lol. I'd be interested to see how they turn out.

I’m thinking of putting a polishing wheel (felt) on the Dremel and using jewelers rouge to polish up the bare metal, not a very abrasive stone. I’m not sure yet, because it’ll be time consuming… but that’s me. I like turning simple inexpensive projects into major productions.

 

[jaycake]

Get yourself a wheel brush drill attachment like this:

Clean them regularly to avoid build up. Build up of brake dust and road grime will eat into the paint and be very hard to get off if left too long.

DO NOT USE ACID BASED CLEANERS

When you get your wheels all clean, wax them. Yes, with regular car wax. This inhibits brake dust from sticking to them and makes them easier to clean

Have you used this on the Mach E? I have the 8" and 12" wheel woolies the 12 is great for the rear but I can only use the 12 on half the front wheel the 12 does not like the dust shield. I end up going to the 8 and hoping I can clean the entire wheel barrel..

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