wbevwbev

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.

97-SC300

iTrader: (17)

put a sealant on them and wash them as you would hte rest of the car. its not rocket science. dont need a wheel cleaner if you will wash it regularly. plus lexus brake dust is not like on some other cars that's a pita to get off.

SW17LS

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.

wbevwbev

OK, sounds like keeping them clean and an occasional waxing will work, then. Thanks!

VTsuckah

iTrader: (1)

I recommend Sonax wheel cleaner, followed by ironx, then a sealant. It'll make future leaning a heck of a lot easier.

SW17LS

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.

zmcgovern4

iTrader: (2)

Just opti-coat them and never worry about it again.

VTsuckah

iTrader: (1)

You'll be surprised how much iron deposits are left on your wheels from micro brake dust. Only a ph balanced neutralizer like ironx will remove it, soap and water will not.

SW17LS

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.

LexBob2

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.

zmcgovern4

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.

SW17LS

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.

zmcgovern4

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.

SW17LS

You have more faith in the common sense of people than me. I see plenty of threads on here with questions about etching and staining of wheels by improperly using wheel cleaners.

I just have never needed to use any sort of wheel cleaner to clean my wheels.

jfelbab

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.