Cleaning basketweave wheels...

[mbtech0]

Not that I'm a lazy bum or anything, but spending 2hrs cleaning wheels isn't going to work for me. I like the looks, so getting rid of them isn't happening, either. They were spotless when I got the car, and I can't quite get them back to that point. Bought a bottle of P21s, the liquid, not the gel, and am unimpressed with the results. I'm now using Simple Green, diluted 50/50, and it seems to work better. I'm not against a good scrubbing now & then, but they are black every 2 weeks, and they make the car look like no one ever cleans it. I wash it twice/week. Any suggestions about cleaners/brushes/technique would sure be welcomed......

[e9nine]

Welcome to the world of mesh wheel ownership.

I would recommend you apply wheel wax. This makes it easier to clean the wheels after they develop the "film" of brake dust.

You can also try a low dust brake pad as a trade off in the performance dept if you simply daily drive the car.

I have Hawk HPS and HP + on my cars. Each time I wash them, the dirt residue that is left behind makes it look like my car came from a coal mine! :eek:

[KenC]

Get yourself a semi-stiff (too soft and it won't clean anything) bristle brush, with at least 3" bristle length.

I can clean all of my basketweaves to a shimmering shine in ~10 minutes .

[e9nine]

For hardware - A foam, square, conical tapered brush is the best item that fits between the ridiculously small mesh holes. The foam is better than the bristles as it takes less effort.

I think bavauto sells them or you can check your local auto parts detail sections in various stores.

[KenC]

I find that the conical ones take way too long because you have to individuall clean each hole in the mesh.

I bought something like this:


Make sure the bristles are semi-stiff because the really soft ones wont get the dust off.

I should make a video or something because I can clean all of my baskets in 10-15 minutes and they look amazing afterward.

[rhogg]

Try kleen wheels.  They work very well.  I bought an immaculate used set of weaves and they came with the kleen wheels.  I am now a believer.

I repainted the kleen wheels when I got them and cleaning the rims now involves just regular washing.  I am very tempted to get a set for my MINI.

[16v of Fury]

I find that the conical ones take way too long because you have to individuall clean each hole in the mesh.

I bought something like this:


Make sure the bristles are semi-stiff because the really soft ones wont get the dust off.

I should make a video or something because I can clean all of my baskets in 10-15 minutes and they look amazing afterward.

I use the same thing.  $4.95 from Walmart - cleans 'em in a flash.

[FL318is]

LOL!

 When I had the mesh I always dreaded the cleaning.  I found it went pretty well with a cheap Auto Zone wheel cleaner.  I posted a pic somewhere in the site.  I used the conical brush and was happy with the results.  Just FYI, we quit using Simple Green on aircraft frames cuz it corrodes the
S4!T outta the metal.

One thing that made mesh wheel cleaning easier was 2 beirs per rim, :cool:

[Jimmy Lewis]

I use a large hex screwdriver that I rounded the end off of, then i stick it into a plush towel and use it to get the tight places. It takes me about 2 minutes to do the larger and much easier portions of the wheel to clean and around another 5 to get the corners like and clean. Nonetheless perfectly clean baskets are hard to beat, they just look so classy when they have their original glassy finish. Good stuff.

[Bunta]

Just clean them more often. Ill clean my BBS RZs twice a week. I takes me no more than 10 minutes to do all of them because there so clean.
thats the best way I found. Cleaners ruin the finish and too much brushing scrtches the wheels and dulls them out.  
I use an old Microfibre towel and some car wash soap gets all the dust off. I'll  remove them once a month to clean/wax and seal the insides.  Im a nut about clean wheels.



Hunter