I have a set of procomp aluminum wheels without a clear coat. I have massive brake dust build up. Its completely caked on as if it were rust. Is there any cleaner or chemical out there that will take it off? ive been polishing for 2 hours and one rim is finally shiny (i used some aluminum polish) but there is still quite a bit of build up.

 

use bleach white, just don’t let in sit for too long on the wheels, I would say rinse you wheels then spray in on straight, let is stand for two or three minutes then start scrubbing, you may have to use a scrub brush, just use a soft one if you do,

 

Ive already done that ha ha. Thats what got most of it off already. heres the list of what ive used.

simple green
bleach
bleach white
dish soap
wheel cleaner
aluminum mag polish (seems to work the best)
steel wool with the SOS blue stuff (also seems to work)
multiple brushes and towels

the combination of the SOS steel wool and the aluminum polish with a buffer seems to work on the looser stuff, but that loose stuff isnt loose, its just looser than the stuff thats really stuck on there.

Ive even taken my wheels off and put them up on saw horses while i do this. Ita not a light project ha ha.

 

holy crap. you should probably clean your wheels more often. Your brake dust is caked on. sound to me at this point its going to be elbow grease.

 

The dirty appearance might be due to chemical etching of the surface. If so, then there is no way to get it off....the surface must be ground down below the deepest penetration of the etching.

If you can find an outfit to do it, get the rims chemically cleaned and then powder-coated with a color of your choice.

 

I clean my wheels as often as i wash, which is a lot.

that was the next question, what would i use to clean them nice and good like so i can paint them?

do you think theyll look good black? it has one of those fake bead locks on them, so i was going to leave that and the center cap bare metal. the fake bead locks dont have any crud on them.

 

If you've done the list of products you listed, then I think it's time to talk to a pro. There are shops that refurb and repair mag wheels so I'd say talk to one of them to see if they can help you out.

Paul

 

they look good enough to leave for now, theyre not expensive wheels. from 10 feet you can barely see it. but i know its there, but im not sure its worth a lot of money to have them professionally done. It would be nice, but not practical at this point.

 

Purple Power and steel wool or SOS pad... you can get it at autozone its a degreaser but it does miracles with aluminum wheels

 

ive actually heard of that working. ill try that.

what kind of chemical would be best recommended for pre paint cleaning?