Wire Wheel Covers - Cleaning?

8

84BirdDave

New member
My 84 TBird factory wheel covers are really hard to clean. They're a combo of polished aluminum and chromed plastic parts. See pic. This is after using the dishwasher. Then tried S100 wheel cleaner - I'm a little nervous about it staining the chrome/plastic, so I wet the cover first. Not very clean. I brushed with Krud Kutter using long and short bristle brushes. Still dirty. A rag and tip of my pinky get some of the bright parts clean in tiny patches. Suggestions for a better way?
 

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Lots of views, no replies. Must mean there just ain't no way to clean wire wheel covers easily?! Guess I need to get out the q-tips and APC.
 
I have wire wheel covers. That's basically what I did when dunking them in a sink and washing them like dishes didn't work.
 
Thanks, Bill. I'm retired so I should just use some (lots) time to patiently work through cleaning all the little nooks.
 
Both are pretty good. I kinda prefer the PB (although it is acidic)

Have you tried Steam?
An inexpensive Steam Cleaner can be found at Harbor Freight McCulloch MC1275
This is a good place to start and see if that works for you. (Don't forget the 20% off coupon)
It is not a pro steam cleaner and will be a bit slow...give it a try for a chemical free cleaning.

 
Progress! I finally went back over the wire wheel covers. Based on advice here, I decided I had to get a brush everywhere I wanted to remove the grimy coating. I found a brush, about 1/2" diameter, cup-style, on a shaft that fits my Dremel rotary tool. Gets into virtually every nook. Also used APC by Spartan (janitor supplies) called "hard surface cleaner." Tested to be sure it caused no problem to the plastic or aluminum. An overall spray on of cleaner, some tedious rotary brushing, about 45 mins for all 4 and done. This APC leaves no residue so a quick hose off, dry with terry towel, ready for protectant coating (recommendations?) TIA.
 
Final words on the wire wheel covers - Found a couple of "tools" that worked for me to apply protectant coating of Turtle Wax Express Shine. Sprayed on per directions, wiped with applicator over all ez-to-access surfaces. Then, for all the nooks & crannies, used a flux brush (tin handle, natural bristles about 1" long & 3/8" wide) to distribute the sealant. Buffed all out with Auto-Care flannel cloth. And chucked a second, clean flux brush in my cordless drill for all the tight spots. I'm done and satisfied.
 
I've had good results (in tedious small areas) with spraying Reload on wheels.
Depending on the wheels you could use an air brush with CQuartz DLUX.
 
You mentioned that there was Polish Aluminum on them ... DO NOT use Spray and Rinse on them or any acidic cleaner as it will oxidize the aluminum parts. If they happen to be coated (when you polish them black does not come off) Spray and Rinse would be perfect for cleaning those wire hard to reach rims.
 
Thanks, Merlin. Will keep a note handy about Reload. Thanks too for the steam cleaning recommendation before. I decided to stay low budget and avoid buying more new tools.
 
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