Cleaning Black Wheels - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

BIGBLKZL1 · 11-17-2012, 02:46 PM

I used Simple Green to spray (heavily) inside the wheels where the brake dust was really thick. It sat for about 2 or 3 minutes and then I hosed it off then repeated it. Worked great getting all the brake dust off.
Anyone find something else that works well? I could still use something better for the outside of the wheel in between the full cleanings.

Frid · 11-17-2012, 03:03 PM

Are the ZL1 wheels clear coated? If so, you'll want to treat them like you do your paint. There are places where you can get good product to keep them clean. I would suggest Adam's Green Wheel cleaner. It works wonders.

Neriah · 11-17-2012, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frid

Are the ZL1 wheels clear coated? If so, you'll want to treat them like you do your paint. There are places where you can get good product to keep them clean. I would suggest Adam's Green Wheel cleaner. It works wonders.

zfuzz · 11-17-2012, 07:05 PM

I wouldn't use Simple Green on the clear coated wheels. I use a set of Wheel Woolies with same shampoo I use on the paint. They allow you to clean behind the spokes and in between the spokes, behind the brake caliper, as well as inside and outside rims.

They make a set of three Wheel Woolies that come in different sizes and it takes all three sizes to clean the polished ZL1 wheels and they work great. Awesome product highly recommended.

You can get them at Adams or any good detailing store on line.

Errnie-ZL1 · 11-18-2012, 12:09 PM

And company called Swissvax makes a good wheel wax to prevent dust build up.

Kmax · 11-18-2012, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGBLKZL1

I used Simple Green to spray (heavily) inside the wheels where the brake dust was really thick. It sat for about 2 or 3 minutes and then I hosed it off then repeated it. Worked great getting all the brake dust off.
Anyone find something else that works well? I could still use something better for the outside of the wheel in between the full cleanings.

I've used Simple Green as we'll and works fine. I just dilute the strength with water, 1/4 Simple Green to 3/4 water, Then wax them.

ZL1LEGEND · 11-18-2012, 02:48 PM

http://www.rizencreative.com/blog/wp...spitfamily.jpg

Pig Spit works great for in between cleanings. Takes break dust off, shines them up and actually repels dust pretty well also.

KLR ZL1 · 11-19-2012, 05:50 PM

I use Mother's all wheel cleaner and it works great. I used it on my 2010 SS with the polished wheels and it worked great on them too. Just spray on all of them even on the inside and rinse off,. Works even better if you have a pressure washer, I use just a small one and that way I can clean up under the fenderwells also.

trewyn15 · 11-19-2012, 05:54 PM

Personally I have used Meguiars spray quick wax after just cleaning the wheels, it keeps them nice and shiny and is an easy way to wax the wheels

OldScoolCamaro · 11-19-2012, 07:38 PM

...break dust is a major issue after a relatively short amount of time operating the car....no doubt....it's a hassle. I'm staying away from cleaners that can etch and compromise the paint surface since it's not anything durable or resilient to defend against potentially harsh chemicals no matter what the consumer thinks or manufacturer suggests over time. Simple green is still a strong agent no matter how much you cut it...

gblaue · 11-20-2012, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frid

Are the ZL1 wheels clear coated? If so, you'll want to treat them like you do your paint. There are places where you can get good product to keep them clean. I would suggest Adam's Green Wheel cleaner. It works wonders.

JWR046 · 11-20-2012, 06:24 AM

I have always used eagle one wheel cleaner. I use it sparingly and on wet cool wheels. I have used it on my 95 z28 and they are still perfect.

Happy_Dan · 11-20-2012, 07:02 AM

I took mine off when I first got the car and put a few coats of Zaino on them. It at least keep the dust from sticking.

Whenever I have the car on the lift (oil change or anything else). I take the wheels off, clean them good and put another coat on.

It's impossible to really keep them clean all the time.

dorfmac · 11-20-2012, 07:22 AM

Your best bet on wheels is just to use soap and water. Anything else, over time, could result in damage to the finish.

11-17-2012, 02:46 PM	#1
BIGBLKZL1 Drives: '12 ZL1/M6 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 149	Cleaning Black Wheels I used Simple Green to spray (heavily) inside the wheels where the brake dust was really thick. It sat for about 2 or 3 minutes and then I hosed it off then repeated it. Worked great getting all the brake dust off. Anyone find something else that works well? I could still use something better for the outside of the wheel in between the full cleanings.

11-17-2012, 03:03 PM	#2
Frid Drives: '11 Camaro 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 3,483	Are the ZL1 wheels clear coated? If so, you'll want to treat them like you do your paint. There are places where you can get good product to keep them clean. I would suggest Adam's Green Wheel cleaner. It works wonders. __________________

11-19-2012, 05:50 PM	#8
KLR ZL1 H-Town Camaro Club Member Drives: 17 Hyper Blue Metallic KLR-ZL1 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pearland Tx. Posts: 2,035 View My Garage	I use Mother's all wheel cleaner and it works great. I used it on my 2010 SS with the polished wheels and it worked great on them too. Just spray on all of them even on the inside and rinse off,. Works even better if you have a pressure washer, I use just a small one and that way I can clean up under the fenderwells also. __________________

11-19-2012, 05:54 PM	#9
trewyn15 Drives: 2004 Monte Carlo LS Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 2,414	Personally I have used Meguiars spray quick wax after just cleaning the wheels, it keeps them nice and shiny and is an easy way to wax the wheels __________________ 2004 Monte Carlo LS - 1966 AMC Rambler Rebel Classic - 2000 Trans Am WS6

11-19-2012, 07:38 PM	#10
OldScoolCamaro Drives: Camaro's, always have, always will. Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Home of the brave Posts: 4,851	...break dust is a major issue after a relatively short amount of time operating the car....no doubt....it's a hassle. I'm staying away from cleaners that can etch and compromise the paint surface since it's not anything durable or resilient to defend against potentially harsh chemicals no matter what the consumer thinks or manufacturer suggests over time. Simple green is still a strong agent no matter how much you cut it... __________________ In Scott We Trust...all others must show proof.

11-17-2012, 07:05 PM	#4
zfuzz Drives: 69 Z28 / 12 ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 409 View My Garage	I wouldn't use Simple Green on the clear coated wheels. I use a set of Wheel Woolies with same shampoo I use on the paint. They allow you to clean behind the spokes and in between the spokes, behind the brake caliper, as well as inside and outside rims. They make a set of three Wheel Woolies that come in different sizes and it takes all three sizes to clean the polished ZL1 wheels and they work great. Awesome product highly recommended. You can get them at Adams or any good detailing store on line.

11-18-2012, 12:09 PM	#5
Errnie-ZL1 2013 ZL1 blk on blk Drives: Time to order mods well she sleeps! Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ontario Posts: 170	And company called Swissvax makes a good wheel wax to prevent dust build up.

11-18-2012, 02:48 PM	#7
ZL1LEGEND ZL1 - The Legend Returns! Drives: 2013 ZL1 Camaro Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 265	http://www.rizencreative.com/blog/wp...spitfamily.jpg Pig Spit works great for in between cleanings. Takes break dust off, shines them up and actually repels dust pretty well also.

11-20-2012, 06:24 AM	#12
JWR046 Drives: 2012 ZL1 #1786 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 239	I have always used eagle one wheel cleaner. I use it sparingly and on wet cool wheels. I have used it on my 95 z28 and they are still perfect.

11-20-2012, 07:02 AM	#13
Happy_Dan Happy_Dan Drives: 2012 IOM Camaro ZL1 #569 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New Boston, NH Posts: 2,239	I took mine off when I first got the car and put a few coats of Zaino on them. It at least keep the dust from sticking. Whenever I have the car on the lift (oil change or anything else). I take the wheels off, clean them good and put another coat on. It's impossible to really keep them clean all the time.

11-20-2012, 07:22 AM	#14
dorfmac www.macsautodetail.com Drives: 2010 2LT/RS Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Baltimore Posts: 1,894 View My Garage	Your best bet on wheels is just to use soap and water. Anything else, over time, could result in damage to the finish.