C4 - Wheel Cleaning advice sought.

[Dino L.]

I have a C4 with chromed OEM Sawblade wheels, I have the wheels off the car, and am seeking advice on a product that I can use on the inside of the wheels, that gets exposed to the brake dust....I cannot find anything that will clean this brown dust off to get the wheel down to the aluminum or chrome, I can't even tell they are chrome on the inside? Does anyone know of a mild acid etch that would work well or some other cleaning agent...the most effort I want to spend is maybe a little steel wool and some elbow grease, am I going to have to sand blast them...just kidding.

[Duke W.]

Re: C4 - Wheel Cleaning advice sought.

Try Gunk engine cleaner! The wheels should be clear coated on all exterior surfaces. Don't use "parts cleaner" because it will attack the clear coat.

There are also various "wheel cleaners" at auto parts stores, but I've never tried any of them.

Aren't you glad our C2s have drum brakes so the wheels don't get coated with all that discusting dirt?!

Duke

[Dino L.]

Re: C4 - Wheel Cleaning advice sought.

these wheels are chromed so any clearcoat is long gone, I am trying to find a real agressive cleaner that won't hurt chrome.

[Duke W.]

Re: C4 - Wheel Cleaning advice sought.

I'd still suggest Gunk engine cleaner as a first try, but if that doesn't work you can use "parts cleaner" or "carburetor cleaner". The caution with these latter products is that they will attack anything organic - like paint of all kinds, but they shouldn't attack chrome plating.

Duke

[John H.]

Re: C4 - Wheel Cleaning advice sought.

Short of things you need a license to buy , I've found Castrol "Super-Clean" to be very effective; removed 34 years of accumulated road crud from the underbody of my '69 Z/28 last year with it.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C4 - Wheel Cleaning advice sought.

I like Meguiar's "Extra" as it doesn't hurt my eyes or lungs. John probably doesn't notice that part anymore.

Patrick