Back in the game :D

[slvr-bullet]

Hello All,



Since owning my first car for almost 12 years and detailing it for about the first 3/4 of those years I just didn't maintain it like I used to. Just did the occasional washes and QD.



But now I recently purchased a new car and want to start back into the game again and keep this car as beautiful as possible.



I've only washed it once with ONR since getting it (I live in an apartment with underground parking so this is perfect) and will get around to a full detail when I have more time to strip everything off and start from scratch.



I've always been a fan of Zaino products so that is what I'll be using as my LSP. What I wanted to ask was about cleaning the inside of the rims. I've never really paid that much attention to the inside and always cleaned the outside as everyone else does. But reading through all the threads it seems like it's the normal thing to do now. I tried my best using a sponge and getting my hand in between the spokes and such but it doesn't get all of the dirt/brake dust. What would be recommended as a cleaner and tool for this? Also I've read about sealing rims. I have never done this before but I would probably use the Zaino AIO for this. Would it be recommended that I just pull each rim off the car, wash it down and seal it (front and back) and reinstall and subsequent washes I would just wash it while it's on the car?



How would one go about prepping and maintaining new rims I guess is what I'm trying to ask.



Here is what the stock rim looks like (not actual car pictured )

 

[slvr-bullet]

Darn, just noticed I posted in the wrong section. Mods, please move to appropriate section. Thanks.

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

detail brush, p21s wheel gel, clay, collinite 476, meg's hyper dressing 4:1

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

if you have the hardware, steamer, mf onr lube clay collinite 476

 

[slvr-bullet]

And those steps will enable me to clean and seal the entire rim front to back? Or do I need to take them off?

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

well, I mean imo the best way is to take off the tire because even if you could reach behind the spokes--there's no way to tell if you got it all.



I'm sure other people have better suggestions, but my brother has a protege, the P21S wheel gel got it the brake dust right off of the hub cap and the tires required some elbow grease but cleaning was much easier...



you CAN get a wheel sealant...but Collinite 476 works wonders imo (just make sure you don't contaminate the whole tin by double dipping the pad) and since I use it for the rest of the car--it keeps things simple. I get like a butter knife or a tiny putty knife, and put about a teaspoon and that's more or less enough to cover all four wheels.



IF you have the steam cleaner, then GENERALLY you don't need chemicals (check out the steam cleaning thread on the green detailing section) and once you're done--seal'er up...



there are a bunch of people who claybar before they seal...tbh I don't bother only because my cars are sitting on stock rims (lexus/bmw) and the protege...I honestly don't see the value in it (brother got it used and as it turned out he got himself a lemon)



And I highly doubt you'll get any longevity from the ZAIO... if anything maybe you can use it to further clean your wheels?

 

[slvr-bullet]

ok, thanks Alex.



What about future washes? Should I take the rims off every so often and thoroughly clean and re-seal them?

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

I'd say that would be highly recommended esp since you wheels are probably the most abused part of your car imo. Routine washes I just ONR but to each their own..tbh I have yet to take off tires out of shear laziness but I'm sure I'll pay for it when I finally get around to it

 

[wascallyrabbit]

taking off the wheels is the best way to clean and protect them. some sort of durable wax/sealant is the way to go (many to choose from; you could use zaino (not zaio) since you already have it on hand). for regular washing griots wheel cleaner is cost effective, or using an apc works well. i take my wheels off about once a year to throughly clean and reseal them other wise i just apply more sealant as best i can reach in the wheel about every 3-4 months or so. as for clean the barrels during regular washing any descent brush you can get in there will work just fine (i like the ace power stick, i don't like the daytona or its copy because every time i pull the brush out it splatters me with little black dots).

 

[slvr-bullet]

lol, thanks guys.



Well I spent almost 6hrs straight doing a proper detail on my new car. Stripped everything off with dish soap and applied zaio, z2pro, and z6.

I didn't even get to do the interior like I wanted because my whole body is aching.



I couldn't take the wheels off because the jack point for the rear is too far in and my hydraulic jack's handle does not extend that far So I did the best I could.

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

word to the wise--generally start inside and work your way out.



There was a thread here somewhere that explained why it made more sense--but pretty much the interior takes less energy so you're good to go to do exterior--normally after you do an exterior--you're too tired to do the interior..

 

[slvr-bullet]

...and my situation is the prime example of this



Filed away for future reference

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

my problem is i hate doing interior so i avoid it all together lol

 

[slvr-bullet]

I don't hate it, I just like the outside to look good more and with this new car I just picked up, I want to do everything right from the get-go.



Yo should see my old civic's interior :shocked

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

l o l I guess my biggest thing about the interior is I'm a big guy, and the interior with so many small crevices and nooks and crannies and awkward angles, and don't get me started on carpet cleaning (especially when I have no pressurewasher, or extractor or ANYTHING)