Best kit to clean Softline wheels?

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B10BOV
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Best kit to clean Softline wheels?

Post by B10BOV » Tue Mar 17, 2020 5:08 pm

The wheels on my E39 B10 V8 are probably about a 6.5 out of 10 at the moment. Perfect from far, far from perfect!

Whilst I am running two cars, I might drop the car with Lepsons and have all of the wheels and centre caps refurbished.

Firstly, is it worth having the wheels ceramic coated once they have been refurbished? I see these products being advertised by GTechniq etc

Secondly, does anyone have a life/timesaver piece of kit for cleaning these wheels?

At the moment, I use a wheel brush (longitudinal plastic hairs) and the highly recommend diluted Bilberry wheel cleaner. I have been tempted by one of these bristly brushes recommended for wire wheels, you know, the ones with a hoop of horizontal plastic bristles, but to me, they just look a bit "scratchy".

I am keen to keep my 'new' wheels at 95% but also know that its the little nooks and crannies on these wheels which are going to go first.

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Re: Best kit to clean Softline wheels?

Post by B10BOV » Tue Mar 17, 2020 5:10 pm

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sward
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Re: Best kit to clean Softline wheels?

Post by sward » Tue Mar 17, 2020 9:38 pm

I don’t think any brush will do a decent job on wheels. I use a wool mitt and get much better results.
F31 B3S Touring - No. 183

Before that: E92 D3 Biturbo No.111, and before that, E39 B10 3.3 No 056

PhillV8S
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Re: Best kit to clean Softline wheels?

Post by PhillV8S » Tue Mar 17, 2020 10:31 pm

I have found by putting wheel wax on my wheels makes cleaning them much easier, no need for harsh cleaners and brake dust just wipes of with a damp cloth.
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B10BOV
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Re: Best kit to clean Softline wheels?

Post by B10BOV » Wed Mar 18, 2020 7:10 pm

Two very good ideas, thank you

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Alpina Jim
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Re: Best kit to clean Softline wheels?

Post by Alpina Jim » Thu Mar 19, 2020 12:29 am

Yep, wool mitt works for me as well and I just use a bit of carnauba wax on the wheels occasionally. Admittedly my wheels do not get too grubby due to low miles of late.
Jim

'98 B10 3.2 #174 in Alpina Blue owned since 13th Sept 2002.

Toasey
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Re: Best kit to clean Softline wheels?

Post by Toasey » Fri Mar 20, 2020 1:46 pm

My current regime is to hose with water first to get the loose dirt off and then spray on Bilt Hamber Auto-Wheel wheel cleaner, leave for 5 mins or so and then agitate with a Swissvax Wheel Brush and a set of Wheel Woolies.The smallest Wheel Woolie is just the right size for the cleaning gap between the spokes near the hub. The bigger ones are good for reaching between the spokes to clean the inner rim. A hose down and dry and then seal with PoorBoys Wheel Sealant.

The Bilt Hamber includes an iron-dissolver so it turns a lovely deep red as it reacts on the wheel. Any tar spots have to be removed separately with a tar remover. Currently I use Auto Finesse ObliTARate.
2000 E39 B10 3.3 Touring #10
1993 Eunos Roadster
1993 Saab Turbo 900 Ruby Edition
Gone but not forgotten: Ford Escort Mk 2 1600 Sport, Alfasud, Saab 900 GLS, Saab 900 Turbo (8v), MB W124 E320 Sportline Estate, Honda Accord 1.8S 6th Gen

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