Wheel cleaner and foam wheel brush suggestions?

[97tbird]

I have the following style alloy wheels:

1) What's a good foam brush/mitt to use on wheels like that? Need to be able to get into tight spaces between those spokes...

2) And what's a good wheel cleaning product (preferably spray), that's gentle, but cleans the brake dust off?

Links would be welcome. Thanks.

 

[Jim 5]

Axxis/PBR Deluxe Plus pads. Best upgrade I ever made on my 330ci. Almost no dust.

The Akebono Euros are good too.

I used a wheel brush and followed with a cleaner that looked like a thin sponge on a popsicle stick for the crevices. Seemed to do the job. Once I put on the Axxis pads, it ceased to be an issue.

Most of the wheel cleaner sprays at Walmart worked well. Just don't use them in your driveway. They bleached the concrete on the driveway in my first house. I used these cleaners thereafter in the wand-wash bays only.

 

[97tbird]

Thanks Jim...I am looking for products that provide some external long term preventative protection for the wheels, too, in addition to cleaning them during a wash...

I will think of the Akebonos when it's time for a brake job...I know they're known for little brake dust.

 

[Jim 5]

I didn't wait for a need for a brake job. It was worth a few hundred dollars to me to never really need to clean black brake dust off my wheels anymore.

 

[bretfraz]

The best wheel cleaner I have used in the past 15-20 years is Meguiars Wheel Brightener. A true spray-on-hose-off cleaner. Works great on M3 wheels and anything that generates a lot of brake dust.

My fave wheel brush is the EZ wheel cleaning brush, found here: http://properautocare.com/ezdetailbrush.html

The large one is $22 and the small is $15. I have one of each but use the small one more often. That plus a good microfiber mitt that is soft enough to be worked around the wheel is all you need to get them clean.

 

[kkreit01]

^ Megs might be a little strong. Those wheels don't look fun. I'd pick a "safe" cleaner like P21S. I always use simple car wash soap on mine. Many of the OTC wheel products are quite harsh -- which OEM and wheel manufacturers advise against.

 

[PW01]

I've always had good luck using Simple Green to clean wheels, and its not as harsh as some of the others

 

[97tbird]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far...
How are Griot's Garage products?

 

[BigBuck]

I use 409 when it is really bad. Other than that use a soft sponge after you wash your car.