Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

How do you clean your alloys?

General car related chat
JF1980
Member
Member
Posts: 141
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2011 2:16 pm

How do you clean your alloys?

Post by JF1980 » Sat Apr 30, 2016 6:35 pm

Just wondering what people have found works best particularly for fiddly wheels like the 333M?  Brushes don't seem to do very well.  Don't fancy the corse sponge things as they seem a bit abrasive and also don't want to use highly potent cleaner (e.g. wonderwheels) as that is bound to damage them.

Also what do you do to remove tar without being too harsh?
Current: 2012 E70 x40D Sport
Previous: 2004 E53 3.0D Sport

User avatar
X5Sport
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 18777
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
Location: Planet X6......

Re: How do you clean your alloys?

Post by X5Sport » Sat Apr 30, 2016 6:59 pm

I use Valet Pro Bilberry Juice in a mister/sprayer, wait 5 mins and then jet wash off.

It doesn't damage the metal......and it smells nice too  :)

Available here.

Just a word of warning.  Shopping at Ultimate Finish can severely damage your bank account!  They sell loads of really cool detailing kit  :)
Last edited by X5Sport on Sat Apr 30, 2016 7:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

richbmw
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 27
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2016 6:48 pm

Re: How do you clean your alloys?

Post by richbmw » Sat Apr 30, 2016 8:09 pm

I've ordered black alloys for my new X5, so don't need to worry! :))

User avatar
Richard137
Member
Member
Posts: 240
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2016 5:48 pm
Location: Rochdale

Re: How do you clean your alloys?

Post by Richard137 » Sun May 01, 2016 10:11 am

I tend to use a choice of-
Merlins blood
Dragons Breath
Iron X

They're all pretty much the same product, they stink to high heaven, but by gosh they work wonders with brake dust (Baked on or otherwise).
2006 BMW E53 Titanium Silver (Facelift)
Remapped
LED Angel Eyes
LED Reverse Lights
B-Pillars Wrapped in Carbon Black
Rear Wiper E70 Conversion
Winter Wheels (18" 255/55).

------ To Do ------
CREE Driving light set.
Steering wheel to be Carbon Wrapped.
Running Boards to be polished.

User avatar
chris.t
Member
Member
Posts: 151
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2014 8:01 pm
Location: Moray

Re: How do you clean your alloys?

Post by chris.t » Sun May 01, 2016 11:03 am

Iron x, wash mitt and hot soapy water and that worked a treat.
Present 2016 Audi S8
Previous 2014 BMW 640d msport
Previous 2012 BMW X5 30d msport

User avatar
Pinewood
Member
Member
Posts: 414
Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2016 11:09 pm
Location: Londonium

Re: How do you clean your alloys?

Post by Pinewood » Mon May 02, 2016 10:58 pm

Let's see some before and after pics folks (front wheel only)
F25 x30d M Sport Lci. Prof Media/Nav, adaptive xenons,ext storage,lights package, 19" Staggered 622M alloys.

User avatar
Pinewood
Member
Member
Posts: 414
Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2016 11:09 pm
Location: Londonium

Re: How do you clean your alloys?

Post by Pinewood » Tue May 03, 2016 2:17 am

[quote="X5Sport"]
I use Valet Pro Bilberry Juice in a mister/sprayer, wait 5 mins and then jet wash off.

It doesn't damage the metal......and it smells nice too  :)

Available here.

Just a word of warning.  Shopping at Ultimate Finish can severely damage your bank account!  They sell loads of really cool detailing kit  :)
[/quote]
Your not joking, that is some good stuff but the web site is bringing my OCD (i didn't know i had it)  out!!!
F25 x30d M Sport Lci. Prof Media/Nav, adaptive xenons,ext storage,lights package, 19" Staggered 622M alloys.

User avatar
X5Sport
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 18777
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
Location: Planet X6......

Re: How do you clean your alloys?

Post by X5Sport » Tue May 03, 2016 6:02 pm

[quote="Pinewood"]

You're not joking, that is some good stuff but the web site is bringing my OCD (i didn't know i had it)  out!!!
[/quote]

Tee hee.......and it did the same to me  :-[
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

JF1980
Member
Member
Posts: 141
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2011 2:16 pm

Re: How do you clean your alloys?

Post by JF1980 » Fri May 06, 2016 10:06 am

Bilberry Juice - I read some forum posts on piston heads with people complaining it eventually stripped the lacquer off their wheels.  I take it this varies by manufacturer?

I know these alloys are prone to corrosion.  I either want to teat them well to avoid it as far as possible or to see the corrosion set in within the next 12 months so I can have them changed under approved warranty....
Current: 2012 E70 x40D Sport
Previous: 2004 E53 3.0D Sport

User avatar
Waka
Member
Member
Posts: 343
Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2010 10:12 pm
Location: East Sussex

Re: How do you clean your alloys?

Post by Waka » Fri May 06, 2016 12:42 pm

Having spent far too long on detailing world I have amassed a bunch of cleaning products!  O:-)

I use bilberry juice on my alloys. If they're kept clean fairly frequently, dilute it with at least 50% water.
Curr. - Silverstone II F85
Prev. - E70 4.0D M Sport
E53 3.0D Sport Facelift - Estoril Blue

User avatar
X5Sport
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 18777
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
Location: Planet X6......

Re: How do you clean your alloys?

Post by X5Sport » Fri May 06, 2016 5:29 pm

[quote="Waka"]
Having spent far too long on detailing world I have amassed a bunch of cleaning products!  O:-)
[/quote]

:)) :)) :))
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

User avatar
Pinewood
Member
Member
Posts: 414
Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2016 11:09 pm
Location: Londonium

Re: How do you clean your alloys?

Post by Pinewood » Sun May 08, 2016 5:26 pm

Bilberry juice (diluted) followed by a wheel wax will keep the wheels in tip top condition
F25 x30d M Sport Lci. Prof Media/Nav, adaptive xenons,ext storage,lights package, 19" Staggered 622M alloys.

P6NDP
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 17
Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2016 6:14 pm

Re: How do you clean your alloys?

Post by P6NDP » Tue Jun 07, 2016 8:43 pm

Upon reading this I ordered some Pro Bilberry Juice which arrived today, but just realised its not designed for polished alloys? (I have 20" MSport wheels on my F15 X5).

Do you guys think its ok to use if I heavily dilute?

User avatar
Pinewood
Member
Member
Posts: 414
Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2016 11:09 pm
Location: Londonium

Re: How do you clean your alloys?

Post by Pinewood » Wed Jun 08, 2016 9:09 am

Why can't it be used on polished alloys? It's a cleaning agent after all.
F25 x30d M Sport Lci. Prof Media/Nav, adaptive xenons,ext storage,lights package, 19" Staggered 622M alloys.

MattX
Member
Member
Posts: 136
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2015 6:20 pm

Re: How do you clean your alloys?

Post by MattX » Sun Jul 24, 2016 3:26 pm

I chucked my BB Juice away. It didn't make a dent on my 3'ers MV1's.

The X3 came with that metal mate stuff on them. The pressure washer takes 99% of brake dust off now.
Last edited by MattX on Sun Jul 24, 2016 3:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Post Reply