How I saved my Style 45's... (Sonax Full Effect and Aquartz Iron Cut content inside)

[billschusteriv]

The backstory

I bought my touring in July/August, 2010. When I got the car, it was painfully evident the PO didn't take care of the car. This thread is about the BMW factory Style 45's that came with the car.


This is a stock photo of some clean Style 45's....

http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/wheels/bmw_wheel_045.jpg


This is what my two rear Style 45's looked like before this weekend:

http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad185/bill_schuster/IMG_4302.jpg

Note the brake dust toward the outside of the wheel... between the spokes. That's baked on.


Before this weekend, I've tried two or three basic wheel cleaners (e.g. Meguiar's Hot Rims, Black Magic Wheel Cleaner) that I've have good experiences with previously.... with no luck. I've tried agitating with cheap wheel brushes.... with no luck.

I was about to give up on buying and trying wheel cleaners when I ran across a great deal a few months ago on Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner (http://www.detailedimage.com/wax.php?id=13407&url=detailedimage.com/SONAX-M49/Wheel-Cleaner-Full-Effect-P525/500-ml-S1/). I figured I had nothing to lose. If this didn't work, I was going to refinish the wheel.

In April, I used the Sonax Full Effect with good results on my e30 basketweaves and resolved to try it on the Style 45's later.

In May, I picked up a BMW Wheel Brush Kit to help me clean up some Style 73's that will be eventually be my summer wheel.

http://www.sierrabmwonline.com/images/bmw_wheel_cleaner_brush_kit.jpg

Last week... I saw the Memorial Day Special at Detailer's Domain that discussed Aquartz Iron Cut (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?3036-Memorial-Day-Special-at-Detailer-s-Domain&highlight=aquartz) and figured if the Sonax didn't work... I was going to need this stuff. So I picked up some Aquartz Iron Cut.

http://detailersdomain.com/mm5/graphics/00000002/ironcut300.jpg


So... this past weekend... I got the bug to get the wheels spiffed up before the meet. I knew all the ZHP'ers were going to be bringing some delicious wheels to show... so I had to at least have mine looking decent...

The equipment
2-ply Blue Latex Gloves (from Harbor Freight)
1 Bottle of Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner
1 Bottle of Aquartz Iron Cut
1 BMW Wheel Brush Kit
1 household non-scratch kitchen sponge
Microfiber towels to dry off the wheels
Garden hose with variable spray nozzle

Warning: Both Sonax Full Effect and Aquartz Iron Cut have a very strong smell. Take caution to use these products in a well ventilated area. Since the package suggests skin irritation is possible, I wore latex gloves - which worked well.


The process

I pulled the rear wheels off of the car. The wheels were soaked liberally with water.

Then I applied the Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner. Here's a shot of the Sonax just after application on the Style 45's:

http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad185/bill_schuster/IMG_4303.jpg

Using the long BMW wheel brush from the kit... I scrubbed and scrubbed the Sonax after it activated or turned purple.

On the first wheel, I applied Sonax Full Effect twice - and Sonax removed about 75% of the stubborn brake stains after some vigorous scrubbing and serious elbow grease. My poor BMW wheel brush was bent and disfigured - but I was able to bend it back in shape to finish the job on both wheels.

Then I thoroughly rinsed the Sonax off of the wheel.

Excited about the results thus far and remembering I had nothing to lose, I switched to Aquartz Iron Cut.

The Aquartz Iron Cut went on as a clear mist... but when it activated... it turned a cool shade of purple-red (similar to the Sonax FE). You can note the progress the Sonax made before I started scrubbing the activated Iron Cut in the following picture:

http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad185/bill_schuster/IMG_4304.jpg

I wasn't able to get the BMW Wheel Brush to hold up enough in the corners of the wheel to remove what was in the crevices. So I would say that I was able to remove at least 98% of the stubborn stuff.

Then I thoroughly rinsed the Aquartz Iron Cut off of the wheel. The wheels were then dried with the microfiber towel and reinstalled on the car.


Final Result

Needless to say... I was pleased.

http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad185/bill_schuster/IMG_4333.jpg

Note: You can even see the Aquartz Iron Cut started to go to work on the stubborn stains inside the wheel... that was with no agitation or scrubbing on my part. Next time I have the wheels off, I may try to tackle the inside of the wheel.

[gr330zhp]

Very cool write-up! Way to bring them back!

I would apply wheel wax to them now to give them the OE shine as both those wheel cleaners were meant to strip dirt(and wax) off the wheel

Just an idea :dunno

[zhpnsnv]

I have to do this exact process to my Mini wheels. I keep my track pads on the rear all year long. When they get wet the metal in the dust bonds to the rim immediately.

[billschusteriv]

Very cool write-up! Way to bring them back!

I would apply wheel wax to them now to give them the OE shine as both those wheel cleaners were meant to strip dirt(and wax) off the wheel

Just an idea :dunno

Great idea Stathi! I was thinking the same thing. Unfortuately, I didn't pick any up before I started this process. :facepalm.

I would hate to have gone through all the effort of cleaning the wheels just to see them get messed up again - so I'm all about waxing the wheels.

As I'm sure all waxes are not created equal - any suggestions a quality wheel wax to buy? Has anyone thrown up a DIY for this?

[billschusteriv]

I have to do this exact process to my Mini wheels. I keep my track pads on the rear all year long. When they get wet the metal in the dust bonds to the rim immediately.

Unless you've found something else that works - I highly recommend both products! Even with all the elbow grease and scrubbing, the process was not that time intensive. I think I had both wheels done and back on the car in 30-45 mins.

I apologize that I do not have more pictures to share - my gloved hands were covered in either Sonax FE or Aquartz Iron Cut most of the time. Hindsight what it is, I'm thinking a time elapsed video of this process would've been really cool.

[gr330zhp]

Great idea Stathi! I was thinking the same thing. Unfortuately, I didn't pick any up before I started this process. :facepalm.

I would hate to have gone through all the effort of cleaning the wheels just to see them get messed up again - so I'm all about waxing the wheels.

As I'm sure all waxes are not created equal - any suggestions a quality wheel wax to buy? Has anyone thrown up a DIY for this?

Bav Auto sells a good one, cant think of the name right now. Honestly though, a friend who details told me to use regular car wax. I havent done it yet, but it seems pretty true :dunno

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

[spencers]

Did you do the inner barrels too? I can't tell from the picture

[billschusteriv]

Bav Auto sells a good one, cant think of the name right now. Honestly though, a friend who details told me to use regular car wax. I havent done it yet, but it seems pretty true :dunno

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

The only one that came up on a search of BavAuto is Wheel Wax. Sounds like it commands some decent reviews.

I guess the only question I have is how it holds up to elevated temperatures from braking? Or how any wax would hold up? I suppose it may not be an issue.

I did a search on Detailers Domain and found Swissvax (http://detailersdomain.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SwissvaxWheelWax). Seems a little pricey - but sounds like THE stuff to use. Anyone know how long a 50ml/200ml jar will last when detailing wheels?


Did you do the inner barrels too? I can't tell from the picture

Thanks for the message spencers. I did not do the inner barrel and now I wish I would have. This will be done next time I pull the wheels.

I'm sure the Aquartz Iron Cut would've made quick work of the dust on the inner barrel. There is some slight evidence to support this in the lower half of the "results" picture - some dust/dirt lifted when the Iron Cut dripped down into the inner barrel.

Check by the valve stem... you'll see some of the lingering dirt/dust I couldn't lift... and see some of what was removed in the inner barrel.

http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad185/bill_schuster/IMG_4333.jpg

I still have to clean up the Style 73's I've got sitting around. This may happen before I get back to the Style 45's. Which ever one I get time to clean first, I'll post a picture or video of the process and results.

[spencers]

As far as wax goes, m0nkey recommends using Poorboys Wheel Sealant

[billschusteriv]

Awesome - thanks Spencers. I was hoping to hear what M0nk3y or our other detailers/detailing enthusiasts use.

I just registered for the Detailing Bliss forum (http://www.detailingbliss.com/) to find some additional information.

There are all kinds of recommendations in this thread (http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/last-step-process-protection/4840-best-sealent-wax-calipers-wheels.htm). A couple recommendations for Duragloss #105 and Poorboys Wheel Sealant, plus others...