How to care for liquid graphite wheels?
#1
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How to care for liquid graphite wheels?
Just bought a 2010 IS-250-C with Liquid Graphite Alloy wheels. What are some suggestions for keeping them looking like new when washing at home? How can I tell if they are clear coated? Usually I just wash, dry, and wax my wheels, but I wonder if there is more that could be done.
#3
Lexus Fanatic
They're clear coated, no different than any of Lexus other painted wheels, just wash and protect like you do the rest of the paint on the car.
#6
Lexus Fanatic
I just have never had a need to use a wheel cleaner if the car is washed regularly. I wouldn't use wheel cleaners if I didn't have to. If you're washing regularly, soap and water is all you need.
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#9
Lexus Fanatic
Sure, over time iron deposits need to be removed, no question about that. Iron X is not a wheel cleaner though, I'm talking about people who feel the need to use wheel cleaners every time they wash and you just don't have to.
However, I have had cars well past 100k miles that have had the wheels regularly cleaned with soap and water and never clayed, sealed, waxed, iron X'd, and the wheels looked like new. The issue with using wheel cleaners all the time is that they can damage the surface of the wheels.
However, I have had cars well past 100k miles that have had the wheels regularly cleaned with soap and water and never clayed, sealed, waxed, iron X'd, and the wheels looked like new. The issue with using wheel cleaners all the time is that they can damage the surface of the wheels.
#10
Lexus Champion
Same here. My cars get washed regularly and I've never found the need for a wheel cleaner. If they get a little dirtier than normal a little extra car wash soap and water and they look good. I don't think a specialty cleaner can hurt, I'm not sure they are really needed though.
#11
Auto Detailing Master
iTrader: (2)
No doubt you can clean your wheels just fine with standard shampoo, but specialty cleaners are meant to deal with the different type of dirt and grime that your wheels see and your paint does not - like brake dust. As mentioned before, wheel cleaners will do a better job cleaning the wheel - even if you cannot truly see a difference. To me it is the same logic as - I could wash my car with dish washing detergent and it would look better than it does now... but a car shampoo will do much better.
#12
Lexus Fanatic
You can also seriously damage your wheels with the wrong cleaners, cleaners applied to hot wheels, cleaners incompletely rinsed, etc.
I'm a former professional detailer, and a hobbyist detailer still myself. You simply do not need to use wheel cleaners if you are washing your vehicle say once a week, or once every other week. If you use something after the winter, or maybe when you do a full detail a few times a year thats one thing, but I do not recommend using them on a regular basis.
I'm a former professional detailer, and a hobbyist detailer still myself. You simply do not need to use wheel cleaners if you are washing your vehicle say once a week, or once every other week. If you use something after the winter, or maybe when you do a full detail a few times a year thats one thing, but I do not recommend using them on a regular basis.
#13
Auto Detailing Master
iTrader: (2)
Common sense is to not wash a car that was just driven or is still hot... Not sure what you are/were using, however a proper pH neutral cleaner is totally safe to use for washing - no matter how often. While the "heavy duty" stuff like Sonax is a waste to use for each wash, it will not damage your wheel when used properly. I personally use CG Diablo Gel mixed 5:1 for maintenance washes.
#14
Lexus Fanatic
Not sure what you are/were using, however a proper pH neutral cleaner is totally safe to use for washing - no matter how often.
#15
I remove my wheels once each season and thoroughly detail them, inside and out, including a coat of sealant. Using a wheel cleaner would compromise that sealant. I generally keep my wheels clean throughout the year by cleaning them like any other painted surface. I also use Meguiar's Quik Wheel Detailer occasionally when the car only needs a QD and not a wash.
I'm generally not a fan of wheel cleaners except for severe cases of neglect. I've seen a number of ruined wheels caused by use of the wrong type of cleaner or by letting it dwell too long.
I'm generally not a fan of wheel cleaners except for severe cases of neglect. I've seen a number of ruined wheels caused by use of the wrong type of cleaner or by letting it dwell too long.
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