Taking wheels off to clean...

Benny06 · Jul 3, 2010

After finally purchasing my 182 it's now time to give it a damn good clean!

Total novice when it comes to cleaning cars 'properly'.

I've spotted what looks to be tar/bugs and other stubbon grub in between each spoke.

I'll have a look for what to use from existing threads but have a question about removing the wheels to clean them. I'd like to do this as it means I won't be bent down with the possibility of picking up grit/gravel off my during the cleaning process. I also don't want to get anything I shouldn't on the brakes!

What do you guys do? (if you do remove them of course)

Would it be okay to just jack it up and take a wheel off at a time, clean it and replace, working my way round until they are all done?

I'm not sure if I'm comfortable about leaving it on the jack for a reasonable period of time. Would resting it on axle stands or something similar be a good idea?

Any help much appreciated,

Thanks

BennyC

AlexG · Jul 3, 2010

Jack it up and place the axel stand underneath somewhere suitable. You dont have to take it off the jack though. If in the worst possible scenario it falls, it will only fall a few mm onto the stand.

With the wheel off you will be able to clean the back and give the wheel a polish and a few coats of sealant. As well as the arches

Daniel · Jul 3, 2010

If it was me, get it up on stands all the way round and while its up in the air and the wheels are off, get in with the pressure washer and clean all the dirt/crap out of the arches.

JD · Jul 3, 2010

Jack it up, axle stands all round, clean wheels and polish/seal them while they're off + clean arches.

Depends how anal you are. Some of us also take off bumpers to clean the car, but that's just mental.

Benny06 · Jul 3, 2010

Kool, thanks for the quick replies guys!

I was going to also polish the exhaust tips. I know there's a metal polish I can get from Halfords, can't remember what it's called for the life of me though! (Autosol, I think) Is there anything else you'd recommend to get them to shine? The insides of the tips are totally black as are the ends. A friend suggested some wire wool to get it off as There's no way it's going to wash off!

What do you guys do for yours?

Also any suggestions for some good products for a first proper clean would be very welcome!

So far I'm planning on getting a microfirbe wash mit, 2 buckets, some AG shampoo/conditioner, Super Resin Polish (Maybe Ultra Deep shine? It's black gold) and some Interior Shampoo. Anything else you guys would recommend for a newbie that I can get from a Halfrauds superstore tomorrow?

Also could any body provide some info on the difference between waxing & polising and the benfits of both, it would be a massive help as it's all rather confusing!

Thanks

AlexG · Jul 3, 2010

You can use wire wool on the exhaust tips that will be fine. Autosol is the correct name and is a good one to use.

The AG shampoo isnt that great, halfords do sell some megs stuff so maybe try there gold class i think its called?

Ive never tried ultra deep shine ive heard its quite hard to buff off. Id just get some ag egp. (extra gloss protection)

Polishing and waxing are totally different. Polishing removes some surface defects and brings up a nice shine on the car. Waxing or sealing is then done after to protect the paintwork.

Wash, dry, polish, seal.

Benny06 · Jul 3, 2010

AlexG said:
Snip

Brilliant

So ditch the Super Resin Polish in favour of some Extra Gloss Protection?

Any recomendations for wax & applicator pads?

Daniel · Jul 3, 2010

If it was me, Wash, clay, wash, then i'd do super resin polish, then Extra Gloss Protection.

Cliotoby · Jul 3, 2010

Daniel said:
If it was me, Wash, clay, wash, then i'd do super resin polish, then Extra Gloss Protection.

Yeap. Although you might need a wheel cleaner good enough to remove stubborn brake dust and shite.

Tar remover, Espuma revolution (powerful non acidic wheel cleaner) or Wonder wheels if you want an acidic wheel cleaner.

EGP is great. IF you can wait 24 hous and its convenient, then apply 2 coats.

Don · Jul 3, 2010

Benny06 said:
So ditch the Super Resin Polish in favour of some Extra Gloss Protection?

No, the polish, does the work of making the car look better/shinier/cleaner/polished...whereas the EGP seals (it puts a protective layer over the polish/paint to allow it to stay better looking for longer) and also means that you will find it easier to keep clean as the base layer(s) are protected.

You want both (a polish and a sealant) if you want to be thorough.

Graham Gooch · Jul 3, 2010

Taking the wheels off to clean them is the preserve of the mentals.

Benny06 · Jul 3, 2010

Donny said:
No, the polish, does the work of making the car look better/shinier/cleaner/polished...whereas the EGP seals (it puts a protective layer over the polish/paint to allow it to stay better looking for longer) and also means that you will find it easier to keep clean as the base layer(s) are protected.

You want both (a polish and a sealant) if you want to be thorough.

Cheers for that. So I'm guessing if it's been polished and then sealed it won't need sealing again with wax. When sealing with EGP or Wax is one better than the other? or just down to preference?

Don · Jul 3, 2010

Benny06 said:
Cheers for that. So I'm guessing if it's been polished and then sealed it won't need sealing again with wax. When sealing with EGP or Wax is one better than the other? or just down to preference?

Two different things mate. EGP seals the paintwork...and the wax then forms a barrier.

It is horses for courses I'm afraid. Some people will polish and then seal, others will polish and then wax and the purists will probably polish, seal and then wax (and maybe even wax again!) depending on what suits. It all depends on how long you want the barrier to last for. The more you do, means the less you will have to do to keep on top of it.

Waxes all depend on what car you have. I have a Titanium 182 and I use Meguiar's #16 Mirror paste as wax as it really brings the car's shine out. There
are different waxes depending on your car's colour (to bring it out in the best light).

Cliotoby · Jul 3, 2010

Donny said:
Two different things mate. EGP seals the paintwork...and the wax then forms a barrier.

It is horses for courses I'm afraid. Some people will polish and then seal, others will polish and then wax and the purists will probably polish, seal and then wax (and maybe even wax again!) depending on what suits. It all depends on how long you want the barrier to last for. The more you do, means the less you will have to do to keep on top of it.

Waxes all depend on what car you have. I have a Titanium 182 and I use Meguiar's #16 Mirror paste as wax as it really brings the car's shine out. There
are different waxes depending on your car's colour (to bring it out in the best light).

Wax and sealant form a barrier lol.

Don · Jul 3, 2010

Cliotoby said:
Wax and sealant form a barrier lol.

Well what is it that protects the finish of the car then?

Benny06 · Jul 3, 2010

Thanks for that Donny very helpful post

Don · Jul 4, 2010

Benny06 said:
Thanks for that Donny very helpful post

No worries at all mate. JD is probably the best person to speak to regarding this kind of stuff.

Benny06 · Jul 4, 2010

Few pics on the way.

Dumped far too much money at Halfords today!

Did get the wheels off to clean. However the back of one was exceptionally dirty and stubborn and had what looked to be like clay all over the inside. I couldn't get it off with the hose and it completely clogged my wheel brush up. Will get a friends pressure washer on them next time

I'm also incredibly sunburnt too but it was worth it.

Benny06 · Jul 4, 2010

Managed to get a stain on the passenger side pillar out. Looked like it was going to be a tough one but lifted right out, took less than 10 seconds to do. Don't know why the seller hadn't done it tbh as it was one of the things we duducted from the price when I brought it.
Some EGP was drying, hence the streaks.

Some wirewool & some Autosol later:

Some more wirewool & Autosol:

Bit of a naff photo (iPhone)

Lost the comparison shot I had of the wheels before & after :dapprove:

I did of course manage to drop a torx key inside the engine bay and then spent half an hour fiddling around with the bottom engine cover as I wasn't putting it back up on axle stands. Then turned out I needn't have bothered as I was able to grab it with a pair of crimps

Maccy · Jul 4, 2010

Looking tidy

Don · Jul 4, 2010

Nice work, Black Gold does look nice after being polished...when the sunlight bounces off the paintwork!

Look at these from Rich (old member on here with his BG 182!) for inspiration!

http://www.richtreen.co.uk/images/concours/

Benny06 · Jul 4, 2010

Yeah, in direct sunlight it looks awesome. The gold flake really jumps out.

Will have a stab at waxing in a couple of weekends when I'm free. Didn't do too badly for my first time actually trying to clean a car properly!

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