Help! Wheel contamination

[bdnck]

So I've just cleaned the van, using the same products I've used on it since I got it and when I've been drying the wheels I've noticed serious contamination on one of them that wasn't there previously. I used the same products on all of them that are apparently "safe for black gloss wheels" literally just iron remover and soap. Never had any issues before and it's just on one wheel.

I've recleaned it twice but it's not going.

Any ideas what to do?

 

[whodat]

If it is surface - just take it for 10mph drive - see if brakes are still effective - then 20mph - then 30mph.
if it is ok at 30mph - just find a quiet place you can do lots of gentle braking to get the surface of whatever it is, off.
Maybe even a little faster if you can find a quiet place without pissing everyone else off.

If the discs are pitted - that would be a different thing altogether I would think.
The stuff you used - iron remover (? - do you mean rust (iron oxide) remover - ?)- that would likely be quite acidic?
Did you flush it off properly after using it?

 

[DaveD]

If it is surface - just take it for 10mph drive - see if brakes are still effective - then 20mph - then 30mph.
if it is ok at 30mph - just find a quiet place you can do lots of gentle braking to get the surface of whatever it is, off.
Maybe even a little faster if you can find a quiet place without pissing everyone else off.

If the discs are pitted - that would be a different thing altogether I would think.

I don't think he's talking about the brake discs!

 

[bdnck]

If it is surface - just take it for 10mph drive - see if brakes are still effective - then 20mph - then 30mph.
if it is ok at 30mph - just find a quiet place you can do lots of gentle braking to get the surface of whatever it is, off.
Maybe even a little faster if you can find a quiet place without pissing everyone else off.

No i don't mean the brakes I mean the actual paint on the wheels. You can see the white swirls in the paint.

I know the brakes will scrub off when driving, that's just the iron remover reaction with the disks it happens every time and comes of straight away

 

[whodat]

ok - i'll shut up now.

 

[DaveD]

I don't know for certain that it'd work, but I'd try some polishing compound, it's not going to make that wheel look worse and you don't have a lot to lose.

 

[bdnck]

I don't know for certain that it'd work, but I'd try some polishing compound, it's not going to make that wheel look worse and you don't have a lot to lose.

I think you might be right. I'll give it a go. It's almost like what happens when you use wheel acid but I definitely haven't so I'm very confused. Especially as it's only one wheel.

 

[bdnck]

If it is surface - just take it for 10mph drive - see if brakes are still effective - then 20mph - then 30mph.
if it is ok at 30mph - just find a quiet place you can do lots of gentle braking to get the surface of whatever it is, off.
Maybe even a little faster if you can find a quiet place without pissing everyone else off.

If the discs are pitted - that would be a different thing altogether I would think.
The stuff you used - iron remover (? - do you mean rust (iron oxide) remover - ?)- that would likely be quite acidic?
Did you flush it off properly after using it?

Yes mate, it's this stuff. I've used it for years on different cars with no issues and on this van for nearly 2 years and never seen a reaction like this.

 

[Sasquatch]

Try a  very gentle polish on a small section with a fine polish, see if that revives it.

It's just the surface that might work, if not then it's a wheel refinish job. Fingers crossed for you.

 

[DaveD]

Yes mate, it's this stuff. I've used it for years on different cars with no issues and on this van for nearly 2 years and never seen a reaction like this.

View attachment 291420

That's what I use on my black wheels - never had an issue with it.
Yet.

 

[bdnck]

That's what I use on my black wheels - never had an issue with it.
Yet.

Only thing I can think is I've picked something up on that one wheel that's reacted badly to it.

 

[bdnck]

Well 1 hr and alot of compound later I've managed to get most of it off. Unfortunately it's starting raining so will have to wait now and I'll take the wheel off and give it a proper go over. Nerve wished I had smoother wheels with less fiddly bits in them until today

 

[Sasquatch]

Phew!

Handy tip. It you aren't cleaning your wheels weekly then spray some WD40 on a rag and wipe it about. It's not too bad in terms of gathering crap, but it means the brake dust won't stick and you won't need any kind of chemical reagents to remove it. A citrus cleaner (or another wipe with a WD soaked rag) gets the residue off when it's time to clean them.


Note - other general purpose oily sprays are available.

 

[Salty Spuds]

ok - i'll shut up now.

Time for your meds?

 

[whodat]

Thanks doc

 

[JumpShip]

Don't spray WD (or any other oil) on your brakes

 

[Sasquatch]

Don't spray WD (or any other oil) on your brakes

I advised spraying it on a rag, for obvious reasons.

 

[bdnck]

Phew!

Handy tip. It you aren't cleaning your wheels weekly then spray some WD40 on a rag and wipe it about. It's not too bad in terms of gathering crap, but it means the brake dust won't stick and you won't need any kind of chemical reagents to remove it. A citrus cleaner (or another wipe with a WD soaked rag) gets the residue off when it's time to clean them.


Note - other general purpose oily sprays are available.

I used to do this on my motorbike with acf50 and worked a treat. Never thought to do it on the van wheels but will definitely give it a try, anything to help stop the brake dust covering them. Never realised how bad black wheels on a t6 would be, they are practically brown/orange after 5 miles of driving

 

[Lubrown]

I used to do this on my motorbike with acf50 and worked a treat. Never thought to donitnon the van wheels but will definitely give it a try, anything to help stop the brake dust covering them. Never realised how bad black wheels on a t6 would be, they are practically brown/orange after 5 miles of driving

Bennett’s latest test showed XCP clear cote as being the best of the ACF50 type protectors.
I never thought of applying it to the van either. Will have to give it a go next time I can be bothered to wash it.

 

[dubber36]

The staining looks to me like wheel cleaner that has been left to dwell for too long.

After one initial deep clean, I've never had the need for cleaners. Shampoo and a wash mitt cleans them easily enough.