I just bought some cleaner from auto zone and it says do not use aluminum surfaces, obviously if im cleaning my tires its going to get the wheels, i have eagle alloys polished alum like brand new so i dont want to mess em up, ive tried soap/water and a harder brush but doesnt work as well...any insight?

Thanks guys

 

Ive used the Amor all extreem tire shine gel on my tires and they come out looking great and sometimes it gets on the aluminum IROCs but havent been damaged by it.

 

are you irocs polished? I dunno if it makes a difference but mine are polished aluminum...im just weary of messing them up since they are new

 

Back in the dinosaur days, we used Comet cleanser and a stiff brush to clean the tires. What small amount that splattered on the wheels, did not seem to hurt them. It won't make the tires shine, but it will sure make them clean! Charles

 

I use DP's Gel Wheel/Tire Cleaner. You can get some at autogeek.net. Won't hurt the wheels.

 

one of these:

http://www.autogeek.net/dp330.html

http://www.autogeek.net/wg4600.html

 

we use "no touch" tire cleaner, you can get it at autozone, or napa, I even saw it at dollar general before, works great, not a greasy mess, just spray it on and let it sit, don't even have to wipe it off, hasn't hurt any wheels I've used it on yet

 

that the stuff in the tall can i think i have some somewhere

 

this is the stuff, works really well, it might say do not use on wheels, but when we take cars to auctions this is what we use and even on polished caddy wheels it leaves no visable residue(Spelling?) anyway if your worried, then just cut a piece of cardboard to cover your wheel and spray this stuff around it

hope this helps

http://automotive.hardwarestore.com/...ne-612148.aspx

 

ya thats the stuff, im just going to invest in one of these: Wheel Shield
cant go wrong with that price.!

 

I use "westley's Bleach White" on my tires and it works beautifully for getting them clean. It's got some verbage about not getting it on wheels or paint, but I've used it on the same cars for years (with every wheel type) and have never had a problem with it.

 

That stuff works awesome, very strong though. Ever take a breath of that stuff when spraying?

 

lol, that smell reminds me of my childhood, (My dad has an all original 1981 corvette with 30,000 miles on it) I remember listening to Foreigner's "head Knocker" or Warrant's "Cherry Pie" while watching my dad clean the wheels with good ol' Mr. Wes. Nevertheless, The smell of that stuff will wake the dead.

 

Mine have the clearcoat stripped and polished

 

i am the tire shine aficionado, and i say to use AmorAll Tire Shine Gel

 

I also use Wesley's Bleach White, because I have white letter tires. That stuff is awesome for cleaning tires, but don't get it on my wheels...my wheels have the clearcoat stripped and polished, and anytime that Wesley's gets on there it makes white spots that are a PITA to polish out. And as for tire stuff I just use Armor All Tire Foam. It does some cleaning by itself and leaves a nice deep black look, but not TOO shiny.

So what I did was measure my wheel's diameter, and cut out a piece of cardboard the same size to cover it, and I just pull off my center cap and stick it in the cardboard to hold it over the wheel when I spray the tire foam. You only need one, cause you're just doing one wheel at a time. Lol. That's cheaper and easier than buying a set of those things.

 

I forgot to mention, for tire shine, I use Armorall's Extreme Tire Shine gel. It gives an awesome shine, and since it's a gel, there's no overspray all over the wheel and paint. If you do use a spray, however, just clean the wheels and tires first. Wipe the tire shine overspray off the wheels with a dry towel (this will also help get any spots you missed earlier) and you'll get any other overspray from the tire shine when you're washing the rest of the car.

 

Try brake fluid on a rag. Much cheaper than everything else. Puts a decent shine that will last for several days. Won't hurt the wheels, but don't get it on paint, it will remove the paint. Apply with a rag, and you're good to go.

 

Do you do that already? I'd advise against it. I've seen vacuum hose sit in brake fluid for a few days at the shop, and if you leave it long enough, it will literally liquefy the rubber from the outside in.

Brake fluid destroys rubber, it's a well known fact. I've been R&R'ing transmissions for awhile now and with it has come my fair share of master and slave cylinder swaps. I have NEVER seen a rubber hose in the system. There's a reason for that. Even the small flexible rubber hose to your brake caliper has a special lining.

Whenever we're talking about stupid things we've done, my dad always tells the story about how he shined the tires of his brand spankin' new '88 S10 Blazer with brake fluid for a month before he blew each and every one of those tires one by one, literally days apart.

 

I must be the only one who uses the NXT tire shine?

 

I use a silicone based professional tire shine that's not available in stores. I gave up on any petroleum based Armorall sh*t that over time used to brown the profile walls of my tires. I use a sponge to apply the shine in a circular motion around the tires. A couple coats usually does the trick. I don't like over-shiny tires (or the kind that look like they've been iced).

I've never had a problem cleaning tires as I've always cleaned and maintained them from new. My stock 16" '87 Iroc rims are also polished and haven't had any issues either, however I do polish them with an professional grade alluminum polish cream every year aswell.

 

I use the cheapo black magic tire shine and it lasts much longer than a few days. It doesn't sling and lasts for over 2 weeks. I really think it's all about how you apply it. I honestly wouldn't use trans fluid. All you need is one time for it to sling on your paint and you're in trouble.

 

OMG NEVER USE BRAKE FLUID ON YOUR TIRES. that could sling off and eat your paint, especially crappy Van Nuys paint. wow who ever came up with that idea???

 

id go with whatever rwd says.. every post he tells people TIRE SHINE!!! =D hes all about the tire shine, and he is def right.. just adds so much more to the car!

 

Excuse me for not being a little more careful in the explanation. I only dampen a rag with brake fluid and then rub the tire. Never use a whole lot and never, ever slop it on. It will eat the paint and is not good stuff for much of anything except as brake fluid, however, if a LITTLE is put on a rag and the rag applied to the tire it works.

 

thanks for the recognition!!!