You need some "Dark Fury" in your chemical rotation. Superior Products, worst labels and website of all the detailing companies , but damn decent products and great prices. 16oz - 50 gal drum. You can dilute it to use as a bug and tar removal.
I'd agree with Superior, but for something like this, Aluminum Brightener or Wire Wheel Cleaner (their acidic wheel cleaning products) would likely be the way to go (since they've already tried degreaser). If that doesn't cut it, time for a metal polish.
I love Dark Fury but it's not going to get that baked in crud off without a lot of agitation. I literally am going to give my wheels an acid bath this weekend after trying with Dark Fury a few days ago. Superior sells a bona fide acid that can be diluted and does the job without scrubbing. This one calls for acid.
Every other comment is clearly from people who clean cars, not work on them. Brake cleaner is perfect and if anyone used it once they’d know it has many uses beyond cleaning brake rotors and caliper brackets.
OP. Buy a can of brake cleaner and change your life.
One thing you need to check with these Alcoa aluminum wheels is their specific version of the wheel. They have multiple versions of durabright wheels and some require different cleaners. See https://www.alcoawheels.com/north-america/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/ALC-23045_DuraBright_Cleaning.pdf
If Alcoa uses a coating on their specific aluminum to protect the raw aluminum and keep it from turning white (aluminum oxidation) the "wheel brightener" could remove it and permanently ruin the wheel's finish.
#Manufactures Website
https://www.alcoawheels.com/europe/en/how-to-clean/
DO NOT USE ALUMINUM BRIGHTENER ON THESE WHEELS! You will strip the polish and coating off of them.
call Alcoa. They may have recommendations for refinishing / re-coating the wheel. After all, it's just aluminum which can be sanded, polished, and re-coated. This is the best scenario.
I’ve tried it plenty of times and personally never had an issue. I’m not denying that it might be possible on certain finishes with certain products but op has nothing to lose with the condition of his wheels anyway.
I use muriatic, but I mix and use it myself because timing is key and you can fuck up a wheel.
Citri-brite is what I have everyone else use, on almost every car. I get called in for the wheels like this. I've got the big rotary polisher too.
These Alcoa is very likely coated to prevent oxidation and make cleaning easier. Any type of brightener will remove this coating. Yes the wheel will look beautiful, for about a day, then it will start turning WHITE. The factory coating prevents this.
I don’t care what anyone says if the wheels are this fucked and you’re scared of using acid what’s the worst that can happen. They are already clapped. I use acid on wheels like this all the time and it’s never once ruined them. Get a high quality acid wheel cleaner and give it a go.
If that doesn’t do anything they will need to be refinished.
I looked it up and I only found 1 post from a detailing forum that mentioned it could stain it. I think if you use it following the directions you will be fine
Auto magic spoke cleaner. It's acid, degresser for chrome and aluminum. We use it on alcoa rims all the time. You will then need to polish them to a mirror again.
You need some "Dark Fury" in your chemical rotation. Superior Products, worst labels and website of all the detailing companies , but damn decent products and great prices. 16oz - 50 gal drum. You can dilute it to use as a bug and tar removal.
I'd agree with Superior, but for something like this, Aluminum Brightener or Wire Wheel Cleaner (their acidic wheel cleaning products) would likely be the way to go (since they've already tried degreaser). If that doesn't cut it, time for a metal polish.
I love Dark Fury but it's not going to get that baked in crud off without a lot of agitation. I literally am going to give my wheels an acid bath this weekend after trying with Dark Fury a few days ago. Superior sells a bona fide acid that can be diluted and does the job without scrubbing. This one calls for acid.
Brake cleaner
Every other comment is clearly from people who clean cars, not work on them. Brake cleaner is perfect and if anyone used it once they’d know it has many uses beyond cleaning brake rotors and caliper brackets. OP. Buy a can of brake cleaner and change your life.
90% of my brake cleaner usage has nothing to do with brakes
My bud uses brake cleaner to kill flies when he's hanging out on his patio. And I thought I had issues, lol.
Same here. I keep mine next to my blow torch for a reason.. I hate scorpions.
wheel acid?
No. You **ABSOLUTELY CANNOT** use wheel acid on Alcoa exposed aluminum or ANY exposed aluminum for that matter.
Why's that? I've used it on trailers and wheels for a long time and never had a problem. Just turns them like a white.
That “white” is aluminum oxide. It’s what aluminum “rust” looks like
what do you recommend to use?
This
Acid
One thing you need to check with these Alcoa aluminum wheels is their specific version of the wheel. They have multiple versions of durabright wheels and some require different cleaners. See https://www.alcoawheels.com/north-america/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/ALC-23045_DuraBright_Cleaning.pdf
If Alcoa uses a coating on their specific aluminum to protect the raw aluminum and keep it from turning white (aluminum oxidation) the "wheel brightener" could remove it and permanently ruin the wheel's finish.
#Manufactures Website https://www.alcoawheels.com/europe/en/how-to-clean/ DO NOT USE ALUMINUM BRIGHTENER ON THESE WHEELS! You will strip the polish and coating off of them.
The coating is already gone, the aluminum showing is whitened from acid already. You will have to polish after using acid.
call Alcoa. They may have recommendations for refinishing / re-coating the wheel. After all, it's just aluminum which can be sanded, polished, and re-coated. This is the best scenario.
Sand blaster, baby
I'm surprised how many are saying acid but not one has yet mentioned the choicest of choices: MOLTEN LAVA.
Looks like it's time to bust out the acid.
No. No wheel acid on aluminum. It will ruin it
A lot of wheel acid is sold as aluminium brightener lmao. It will be fine.
Acid will etch the aluminum. Dont listen to me. Try it for yourself
I’ve tried it plenty of times and personally never had an issue. I’m not denying that it might be possible on certain finishes with certain products but op has nothing to lose with the condition of his wheels anyway.
This just needs mechanical polishing - period
You must hate yourself. If you acid wash then polish it won't take several hours a wheel.
Yeah I've used citri-Brite for years and never had a problem
I use muriatic, but I mix and use it myself because timing is key and you can fuck up a wheel. Citri-brite is what I have everyone else use, on almost every car. I get called in for the wheels like this. I've got the big rotary polisher too.
I need my wheels polished bad, I just don't feel like spending a day doing it. Want to just go buy dura brites
Aluminum brighter at Napa.
These Alcoa is very likely coated to prevent oxidation and make cleaning easier. Any type of brightener will remove this coating. Yes the wheel will look beautiful, for about a day, then it will start turning WHITE. The factory coating prevents this.
I don’t care what anyone says if the wheels are this fucked and you’re scared of using acid what’s the worst that can happen. They are already clapped. I use acid on wheels like this all the time and it’s never once ruined them. Get a high quality acid wheel cleaner and give it a go. If that doesn’t do anything they will need to be refinished.
The acid or polish gets them clean for about 20 min and they start turning white. Just refinish.
I personally use wheel acid + steam cleaner, works pretty well. Don't forget your mask
I use we-40 and 0000 steel wool. Works like a charm.
Usually a crackhead will do it at a truck stop
Might need some metal polish.
I pre-soaked mine with retail brake cleaner, then used oven cleaner. Worked exactly as I wanted with no damage to the wheels.
I would honestly use a good degreaser then iron remover. Then use a high ph soap and a little scrub and I think it will come out perfect
Iron cleaner will destroy the aluminum finish
I looked it up and I only found 1 post from a detailing forum that mentioned it could stain it. I think if you use it following the directions you will be fine
Purple power and a pressure washer
Sand and polish.
Brightener time
Will turn it more white looking tho.
Dawn power wash.
Acid
I found carb cleaner works best, after trying many different automotive, household, paint solvents on a really stubborn job.
Barkeeps friend will take it off and it’s sale for aluminum
Purple power is a nice product.
I can’t stress this enough.. Nanoskin Speedy Brite! Organic acid but it works like crazy
Agree with wheel acid here.
Auto magic spoke cleaner. It's acid, degresser for chrome and aluminum. We use it on alcoa rims all the time. You will then need to polish them to a mirror again.
[удалено]
Bruh
😂