[rmeir]

ok call me stupid but how do you clean the bmw wheels? I have the stock wheels, and yeah you can clean the outside ok but how do you get all the brake dust etc off the inside, particulalry behind those big forks? I have tried wheel cleaner and it works well except behind the big forks, I guess a narrow brush or sponge or something. the only other way I can see is take the wheel off, not.

[Radioactive]

I use a sports bottle brush I purchased at Target. It's long enough to reach to the back of the rim and flexible enough to get behind the spokes.

[rmeir]

cool tanx

[Midwest X6]

Originally Posted by rmeir

cool tanx

I've used two products for my oem wheels over the years:

1). Rejex - wonderful at helping to keep the seal the wheels and subsequently makes it easier to clean them too.

2). For Cleaning I use a product called P21. Does a nice job cleaning and does so w/out harming the wheel finish

[DonC]

I used several products from Griot's Garage that are made for getting the "back side" of the wheels clean. www.griotsgarage.com

[electricjet]

greetings ...

may i suggest:
ez-detail wheel brush (comes in 2 sizes)
sonax wheel cleaner
p21s wheel gel cleaner

... once clean apply menzerna power lock ploymer sealant or blackfire wet diamond sealant or any good wheel sealant ...
(pm for a detailing guide)

[rmeir]

good stuff guys tanx

[faztaz]

I use a citrus based cleaner (much cheaper than P21 and more readily available) and a powerwasher (30 or 40+ degree fan). Have been doing so for years on all my cars with no issues. Wheels always come out looking great and saves me a lot of leg work.

[MattUK]

I use the BMW Cleaning kit they came with my car, the wheel cleaner spray is superb, and the bendy brush goes nicely in the spokes

[dudley07726]

Originally Posted by Midwest X6

I've used two products for my oem wheels over the years:

1). Rejex - wonderful at helping to keep the seal the wheels and subsequently makes it easier to clean them too.

2). For Cleaning I use a product called P21. Does a nice job cleaning and does so w/out harming the wheel finish

I also use P21. Great product. I spray it all inside the wheen and clean it with a hand cloth and then rinse. Very clean.

[X3emist]

P21 is a German product that is safe for our wheels. Nothing will get off the brake dust without at least a quick wipe which means running your hand in, through and around the spokes. Careful as you can cut your hand in there. The wheels have a coating on them which can/will eventually start peeling. This is why you don't want to use anything to aggressive and probably why a pressure washer isn't a good idea if you have any stone chips the blast could cause further peeling. P21 comes in a gel form now which stays on a bit easier.

Not to flame Griots but I have never liked anything from them. It is overpriced and over marketed. Check out the "how to" articles on carcareonline.com. All you ever need to know about detailing your ride is right there at that one link.

[Horsedoc67]

I use Turtle wax ICE car shampoo diluted in H2O with a soft brush(Mother's) and for the brake dust on the inside a toilet brush from the 99 cent store and a a curved brush from BMW

[Kiernan]

Talkng of cleaning, anyone have any tips on cleaning the wheel arch lining?

On my previous cars, this has been plastic so you just wipe it clean it like any other part of the car, but since those on the X3 are almost like a thick carpet, all of the muck from the road seem to stick to it and it's virtually impossible to remove. At this time of year, I've all but given up trying to remove all of the dirt other than a quick spray with the pressure washer, but any suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers.