Great wheel cleaner! - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

MAH · 20th February 2002, 23:59

All,

Now we all know how much we love to clean the wheels.

I have run across a great product that makes cleaning thr wheels a breeze. The product is Simple Green. Has anyone tried this?

I'm using this on my chrome wheels and it really removes the dust and dirt and road oil just by spraying it on and hosing it off.
It even removes the dirt on the inside lip!

I would like to get your feedback.

Mark

tfung · 21st February 2002, 05:47

I heard that simple green was very corrosive and shouldn't be used that often... with our stock rims, I think it might even eat off the shadowchrome on it.. anyone want to verify?

TCM · 21st February 2002, 06:08

Terence is correct. I beleive that Simple Green is not good for the paint on the wheels. Your wheels are clearcoated, so you need to treat them like the paint on your car. Natural Cleaner (Zymol, P21S, EF) and then give them a coat of wax. I would not think cleaning with Simple Green once would cause a problem but excessive use may hurt your rims.

rennen · 21st February 2002, 06:17

I use the Castrol Super Clean wheel cleaner. It takes two seconds, and removes all the dirt and dust. Non corrosive too.

TommyGun · 21st February 2002, 06:35

FWIW, I have been using Simple Green for the last 12 months on my wheels...probably every 2.5 weeks and have noticed no problems with the finish of the wheel...Works great for me...although you guys did make me go and check the wheels very carefully

rvacha · 21st February 2002, 16:26

I, too, will cast a positive vote for Simple Green. I've been using it for over 4 years on my 540 (2 piece riveted & clear coated) and 1.5 years on my M5. I generally buy the refill "concentrate" and dilute it 50% with water. No paint problems at all. It cuts through grease and grime nicely, takes a little more effort to remove tar spots, and definitely does NOT eliminate the need to apply elbow grease. I clean my wheels with a 3" natural bristle varnish brush (the only fast way to clean a gazillion rivets!). Simple Green also rinses off quickly and easily.

bmurphy · 21st February 2002, 16:54

If you talk to The Wheel Wizard in Atlanta, or any other wheel refurbishing guru, they will tell you soap and water, same stuff you use on your car, just a different bucket. I would always beware of anything that makes it super easy to clean the wheels other than a little elbow grease. My $.02. Murph

Dux · 21st February 2002, 17:04

Murph-meister,
Have Wheel Wizard tried to cure curb rash on these M5 rims?
Or is it the same old story?

Bart Carter · 21st February 2002, 17:24

BMW's recommendation is Meguiars wheel cleaner (for painted wheels)

Dux · 21st February 2002, 17:28

Are u guy's talking about Simple Greens Degreaser or their Foam Wheel cleaner?

rvacha · 21st February 2002, 18:03

Quote:

Originally posted by Dux
Are u guy's talking about Simple Greens Degreaser or their Foam Wheel cleaner?

I was talking about the degreaser- never tried the foam

bmurphy · 21st February 2002, 18:13

Dux, when you say curb rash, do you mean physical damage to the wheel like abrasion? If so, best bet is to buy a new wheel. I had one wheel fixed by a company in CA and it did not match my others worth a flip, ended up paying for the "fixed" wheel and a new one.
murph

cohenfive · 21st February 2002, 18:15

i've used simple green for years as well. i agree there is still elbow grease involved but like the fact that it's a natural product. surprised to hear some think it's corrosive, to me it's worked well.