salt spots on wheels

[ukbiggles]

Hi all

I've got some salt spotting on my standard Stag alloy wheels that hark back to the day I collected my car last November. Regular wheel cleaners don't seem to shift them. Anyone got any suggestions I can try. Also I'd welcome advice on how best to clean/polish them going forwards and whether there are any recommended tools that would make this easier.

Thanks

Gord

[DJT]

Hi Gord,

If the wheels are lacquered and the salt is underneath, then stripping is the only answer. If they are not lacquered then the best stuff is Autosol metal polish: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...ource=shopping (also available at most auto accessory shops)

[ukbiggles]

Thanks, Dave

Here comes the dumb question from the novice. How do I tell if they are lacquered?

Gord

[jleyton]

Not dumb at all and a bit hard to explain in words alone.

When it's applied and in good condition it's hard to tell - maybe a bit like a film of Sellotape over the surface.

However, even when they were new, the lacquer tends to peel and it looks like damaged sellotape. Sometimes you can peel off bits of it, some of it looks like pockmarks.

Others may well have a better description.

We used to have to relacquer Dolomite Sprint alloys during the warranty period when they were new

Cheers

Julian

[ukbiggles]

Thanks Julian

I don't think they are lacquered, as there is no evidence of peeling on pockmarking. So I guess it's just Autosol and elbow grease!!

Gord

[jleyton]

Yep Solvol Autosol is the very best and it's not too hard to use. Bit fiddly around the valves and try and avoid getting on the tyres.

Cheers

Julian

[elvimto]

try this if you can get it in the UK http://www.mothers.com/02_products/05146.html also if you can get Mothers Billet polish it works reallt good and saves a lot of elbow grease

Stuart

[ukbiggles]

Julina, Stuart thanks for the advice.

Stuart, will have a hunt for Mother's stuff, but at least I can look for a conical polisher if I can't find Mother's brand. Curious about your handle elvimto. Surely not a throwback to the Vimto drink we used to have here in the UK?

Gord

[nib]

Hi Gord
Solvol autosol and put it on with an old toothbrush and buff up with a clean rag,i've been using it for over thirty years and I still haven't found anything that can touch it.
The initiation is when you stand on the tube and lose half of it.
Mark

[Giles]

The initiation is when you stand on the tube and lose half of it.
Mark

not just me who has done that then!

[Moraystag]

I have found that Autoglymn metal polish is pretty good, and not trying to knock any one particular product but I like it better than Autosol as it just seems so much easyer to use. However, I did mine last night and was'nt fully satisfied with the result, a bit dull for some reason, I think I got some waxoil on them or the cloth through the week, so finished off this evening with Brasso of all things, the type with the wadding. WOW, they have come up like silver Dollars, not sure how long they will stay like that though, but have used some normal car polish to seel them.

Mike

[nib]

not just me who has done that then!

Another favourite was to run over the tube when taking a motorbike off its main stand.
mark

[elvimto]

been a long time vimto and chips black pudding suppers

and all that

cheers Stuart

[ukbiggles]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Most important tip seems to be avoid buying a motorbike

[ukbiggles]

been a long time vimto and chips black pudding suppers

and all that

cheers Stuart

Yes, I remember all that too, incluing white pudding suppers and deep fried mince pies. Most on this forum won't know what they are!! Nowadays, it's reputed the local delicacy back home is deep-fried Mars Bars, though I haven't felt the need to try that particular culinary delight. Heart attack material!

Gord