powerwashing wheels

[jtraven]

quick question, can you powerwash wheels?? hopefully get off all that brake dust and stuff. and obviously avoid getting too close to the cars paint. thanks

[Mark_In_PA]

i duno but i wouldnt do it. just soak the wheels in a good cleaner like meguairs hot wheels. that works for me.

[jtraven]

what is that? i've never heard of it. I clean my wheels, and i wax them sometimes, but it still doesnt get all the tough spots off.

[JF824]

I used to powerwash the rims on my 323i all the time. Does an awesome job. Powerwash them, then use whatever cleaning product your going to use, and then powerwash that off. Wheels looked brand new everytime i did it.

[itsabimmerthing]

DONT DO IT! Bavarian Autosport specifically says "do not high pressure wash or steam clean wheels, as wheels have a painted surface just like your car, and should be treated just like your paint!"

[UKY467]

Originally Posted by itsabimmerthing

DONT DO IT! Bavarian Autosport specifically says "do not high pressure wash or steam clean wheels, as wheels have a painted surface just like your car, and should be treated just like your paint!"

Exactly. Many details will say the same thing. You wouldn't powerwash your exterior like that now would you? I don't think you want to see the way the wheels will look after you've done this a few times.

[danny522]

i have powerwashed my exterior and my rims tons of times, havent noticed any problems yet.

[AlpinaTurbo]

it depends on the power of the powerwash.

[DemolitionNine]

Set it at a lower PSi and you'll be just fine...

just dont blast em at 2500 psi of pressure.. or you can kiss your paint / finish good bye.

[jtraven]

actually this was 200 degree water at 3500 psi....one serious piece of equipment.


and so i decided not to. obviously its not somethign you try and then realize its too late.

[itsabimmerthing]

I would simply get a GENTLE wheel cleaner, saturate the wheel in it, let it set about 25 mins, and wash it at normal pressure. Or just clean the hell out of it with a soft tooth brush or wheel brush.

[5speed300]

If you want to really clean your wheels get some P21S Wheel Cleaner. Its ph balanced so it wont corrode the finish on your wheels and it doesn an AMAZING job of cleaning the rim. Its the only thing i will use on my BBS's.

[My87Targa]

i forget where but someone makes a power washer just for car use, low enough psi that it doesnt damage paint but still does a good job. ill try to find it, my buddy has one and it works like a charm. me i usually just use wheel acid, but thats even harder to do i think cuz you gotta be quick and only do one wheel at a time. i spray it on then scrub and then right away spray it with a hose. the whole time making sure what ever i use to scrub stays pretty wet.

[AlpinaTurbo]

Soap and water and your finger and call it a day!

[ichbin]

Hop over to the AAAA-TOWWWW-Zone and pick up some Dupont Wheel Cleaner. It will eat the crap right off your wheels. You'll need to polish them afterwards but hey, at least it doesn't involve taking your wheels off.