Detailing PP1 Wheels - Tips And Tricks ?

[WD Pro]

OK, fist things first, I know how to clean a wheel ...

What I am interested in, is tips and tricks specific to the PP1 wheels.

They seem to be just at that awkward cross over point of being open enough to show the brakes off quite well, but not quite open enough to get my hand through the spokes easily to do the barrels and brakes etc.

So what tips and tricks are you using and can you recommend any tools ?

If it helps, I snow foam and power jet so I shouldn’t have any loose abrasive stuff on the wheels when I start them. I’ve always backed away from wheel brushes as I’ve yet to find one that convinces me it won’t marr the finish. I’m not sure the wheels have the toughest of finishes as I have found slight marring on them that could have only come from the factory or the single wash at the dealers (fortunately they were instructed not to touch the paintwork - to which they obliged).

Cheers for any input

WD

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[Bikeman315]

OK, fist things first, I know how to clean a wheel ...

What I am interested in, is tips and tricks specific to the PP1 wheels.

They seem to be just at that awkward cross over point of being open enough to show the brakes off quite well, but not quite open enough to get my hand through the spokes easily to do the barrels and brakes etc.

So what tips and tricks are you using and can you recommend any tools ?

If it helps, I snow foam and power jet so I shouldn’t have any loose abrasive stuff on the wheels when I start them. I’ve always backed away from wheel brushes as I’ve yet to find one that convinces me it won’t marr the finish. I’m not sure the wheels have the toughest of finishes as I have found slight marring on them that could have only come from the factory or the single wash at the dealers (fortunately they were instructed not to touch the paintwork - to which they obliged).

Cheers for any input

WD

Honestly no different than any other wheel. Getting them coated significantly reduces the amount of time and effort to clean them. Then all you need is a good set of wheels brushes. Everyone has their favorites. I use these.

https://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Brushes-M51/E-Z-Detail-Brush-P273/Full-Size-S1/

 

[DFB5.0]

I wrote a bit of a pictorial guide back in May this year, hopefully you get a few ideas from it.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/pp1-wheel-cleaning-guide.141633/

This wheel design combined with limited access due to the 6-piston calipers are a test of patience to say the least.

 

[SAY WHAT]

Use a microfiber cloth or a mitt. I would ceramic coat them to make life easier.
Do the prep work (2-4hrs depending on how caked up they are) the time it takes will be paid back later on due to the ease of cleaning them.

As far as chemicals go, id only use a iron remover like Iron X every now and then.
I personally use P&S brake buster on my so called fast maintenance washes.
I have used auto fanatics wheel cleaner and it works really well, just expensive.

 

[WD Pro]

@DFB5.0 - Your first paragraph of that thread thread made me laugh, so true ... lol. Very useful thread as well thank you I didn’t realise wheel brushes had come on so much from the old types I remember and avoid at all costs.

I’ve got the in-laws asking what I want for Christmas and I’ve seen the local store has the Megs versions in, I will go and take a look before putting in the request.

They also sell these that look interesting for the back of the spokes etc, so long as they are not to bulky :

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/c...g/halfords-microfibre-wheel-glove-191373.html

@SAY WHAT - Yeah I will take the time to do them properly. Time is low on the priority list when it comes to doing jobs on cars

I will take the wheels off and do them individually (most likely in the house ... ) once I have the jacking rails on.

In the meantime I’m just trying to get them a little better than when they arrived, here’s an extract from my build thread to give you an idea of my starting point :

Bad news - Revenge of the ford car cleaner (I will not say detailer ...) ? I do wonder if he took a dislike to the instruction not to touch the paint ... ?

I suspect this is an old school acidic wheel cleaner that has been sprayed and left to dry ?

‘Nice’ wheel cleaners won’t touch it. Paint cleaners will take it off but it takes ages. Mineral spirits etc won’t touch it.

Resorted to old school wheel cleaner (hydrochloric acid i.e. brick acid) which pretty much instantly removes it. I’ve been doing it in sections every time the car is moved / re parked as I only do about a three spoke section at the bottom to keep well away from wheel nuts and callipers etc. Slowly getting there :

There good enough for now, at least until the wheels come off to get all the underseal overspray off them ... (mostly the backs).

WD

WD

 

[DFB5.0]

@DFB5.0 - Your first paragraph of that thread thread made me laugh, so true ... lol. Very useful thread as well thank you I didn’t realise wheel brushes had come on so much from the old types I remember and avoid at all costs.

I’ve got the in-laws asking what I want for Christmas and I’ve seen the local store has the Megs versions in, I will go and take a look before putting in the request.

They also sell these that look interesting for the back of the spokes etc, so long as they are not to bulky :

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/wheel-and-tyre-cleaning/halfords-microfibre-wheel-glove-191373.html

@SAY WHAT - Yeah I will take the time to do them properly. Time is low on the priority list when it comes to doing jobs on cars

I will take the wheels off and do them individually (most likely in the house ... ) once I have the jacking rails on.

In the meantime I’m just trying to get them a little better than when they arrived, here’s an extract from my build thread to give you an idea of my starting point :



WD

I have used a similar mitt on wheels before. Works well but I got sick of putting it on / taking it off.

 

[Rapid Red]

Honestly no different than any other wheel. Getting them coated significantly reduces the amount of time and effort to clean them. Then all you need is a good set of wheels brushes. Everyone has their favorites. I use these.

https://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Brushes-M51/E-Z-Detail-Brush-P273/Full-Size-S1/

This type gets into the barrel of the rim nicely. I would suggest not using any brush that chucks in a drill.

Gets hung in a crevice or tight area, the next seen is a scratch . That asinine power ball comes to mind, unless one is selling wheels.

A full bristled brush of the type seen Is the ticket. Have a similar design, without the exposed tip.

Clean the wheels first and rinse often as the rest of the car is washed.


my .02

BTW
"wheel brushes as I’ve yet to find one that convinces me it won’t marr the finish."

Let me put your mind to rest, you are looking at a non clear coated 10in, aluminum wheel. 15 years old, cleaned with a brush.

Wash the wheel cold, do not let the cleaner stand and dry.

Wheel finishes are very easy to keep up, don't hit the curb, careful who changes your tires, would not suggest Wall Mart LOL

Here is the front wheel type and age, and care 3.5 in.

 

[WD Pro]

Just a quick update - Megs wheel brushes and a thin noodle mitt have been sent to Father Christmas

In the meantime, after a paint shopping trip to the DIY store with my daughter, I came home with this - my old wheel chemical brush and the new one :

The new one is long, the black parts are rubber, and the end cap is seamless stainless with rolled in ends. Even so, a bit of heat shrink should minimise any accidents :

I’ve still not had the wheels off, but this thing allows me to get chemicals right to the back with ease :

All the staining that ford left for me is gone, now I just need to work on the underseal overspray ...

WD

 

[DFB5.0]

Just a quick update - Megs wheel brushes and a thin noodle mitt have been sent to Father Christmas

In the meantime, after a paint shopping trip to the DIY store with my daughter, I came home with this - my old wheel chemical brush and the new one :

The new one is long, the black parts are rubber, and the end cap is seamless stainless with rolled in ends. Even so, a bit of heat shrink should minimise any accidents :

I’ve still not had the wheels off, but this thing allows me to get chemicals right to the back with ease :

All the staining that ford left for me is gone, now I just need to work on the underseal overspray ...

WD

Nice! I just updated my wheel brush too.

My well used old one has made way for a Chemical Guys jobbie.

I have made the decision to not to buy anymore wooden handled detailing brushes, they just don't last in a wet environment of wheel cleaning.

 

[teetoppz28]

And I thought I was OCD! My wife complains about the extra time I take when I clean the barrels of my PP2 wheels!

 

[WD Pro]

And I thought I was OCD! My wife complains about the extra time I take when I clean the barrels of my PP2 wheels!

PP2 wheels would be breeze to detail !

WD

 

[larr12]

Auto Fanatic wheel cleaner and P&S Brake Buster are great and safe products for the wheels.

 

[WD Pro]

Well it's been Christmas, which means my wheels tools are here - along with a few other car related bits

WD

 

[HeelToeHero]

I've always hated how long it takes to clean the pp1 rims. Good riddance

 

[Rapid Red]

I've always hated how long it takes to clean the pp1 rims. Good riddance

That's a pathetic, and ridiculous statement, you're just a lazy cat. The wheels are not the problem here it's the owner driver.

LMAO

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