How to clean the BACK of wheels? - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

conesare2seconds · 03-31-2018

Hi everyone. I recently picked up a set of aluminum wheels with chromed faces. The chrome finish is fine. What I want to do is clean up the backs of the spokes and faces. The back is rough cast (I think) aluminum. What needs to be cleaned up more so than brake dust is powdery oxidation of the aluminum.

I’m thinking mechanical scrubbing isn’t going to do much and media blasting might be a better idea but I’m very keen to preserve the chrome finish on the wheel faces.

Is blasting my best bet (thinking of walnut shells, dry ice or dustless) and will I be able to keep the faces nice if the back surfaces are blasted? Also would welcome any suggestions other than blasting.

lfalzarano · 04-01-2018

Have you tried a brake cleaner spray on a small backside area to test?

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conesare2seconds · 04-01-2018

Looked them over briefly yesterday evening. The aluminum oxidation may not be too bad once the brake dust is cleaned up. They’re in my daily so I can have the tires dismounted, will bring them home and take a shot at scrubbing them up, then see where we are.

jmglyder · 05-06-2018

Hello,

I just spent about 4 hours yesterday cleaning the back of my 91 ZR-1 Wheels. I tried various products Adam's Wheel Cleaner, Adam's multi-purpose cleaner, Awesome, and even Barkeepers Helper. What did work is a HUGE amount of elbow grease and RED scotch brite very find pads. I went over the sides of the rim to remove all the discoloration and tire markings. The back just took a lot of cleaning, rubbing, and rinsing and repeating.

If anyone knows an easier way please post because even working outdoors the smell was overwhelming.

Jagdpanzer · 05-06-2018

For the back side I use acid type aluminum wheel brightener like the truckers use.

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93RubyZ · 05-09-2018

I've used Bleche-Wite in the past with good results. You still have to do some scrubbing but the wheels came out very nice and you don't have to worry about etching as you do with some wheel cleaners. They are safe to use and you don't really have to worry about leaving them on the wheel too long. The works for the front side of the wheels as well.

03-31-2018	#1
conesare2seconds Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Greater St. Louis Posts: 476	How to clean the BACK of wheels? Hi everyone. I recently picked up a set of aluminum wheels with chromed faces. The chrome finish is fine. What I want to do is clean up the backs of the spokes and faces. The back is rough cast (I think) aluminum. What needs to be cleaned up more so than brake dust is powdery oxidation of the aluminum. I’m thinking mechanical scrubbing isn’t going to do much and media blasting might be a better idea but I’m very keen to preserve the chrome finish on the wheel faces. Is blasting my best bet (thinking of walnut shells, dry ice or dustless) and will I be able to keep the faces nice if the back surfaces are blasted? Also would welcome any suggestions other than blasting.

04-01-2018	#2
lfalzarano Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Clayton, North Carolina Posts: 1,133	Re: How to clean the BACK of wheels? Have you tried a brake cleaner spray on a small backside area to test? Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry __________________ Lou[COLOR="Red"][B][SIZE="4"][/SIZE][/B][/COLOR]

04-01-2018	#3
conesare2seconds Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Greater St. Louis Posts: 476	Re: How to clean the BACK of wheels? Looked them over briefly yesterday evening. The aluminum oxidation may not be too bad once the brake dust is cleaned up. They’re in my daily so I can have the tires dismounted, will bring them home and take a shot at scrubbing them up, then see where we are.

05-06-2018	#5
Jagdpanzer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,644	Re: How to clean the BACK of wheels? For the back side I use acid type aluminum wheel brightener like the truckers use. Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry __________________ Phil Wasinger 1994 Torch Red ZR-1 WAZOO Member George Braml Intake

05-09-2018	#6
93RubyZ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 307	Re: How to clean the BACK of wheels? I've used Bleche-Wite in the past with good results. You still have to do some scrubbing but the wheels came out very nice and you don't have to worry about etching as you do with some wheel cleaners. They are safe to use and you don't really have to worry about leaving them on the wheel too long. The works for the front side of the wheels as well. Last edited by 93RubyZ; 05-09-2018 at 01:49 AM.