Water stains on alloys?

[alnsaz]

I've a 3 month old Leon FR+ TDi with the lookalike R 17" alloys

I've notice water 'runs' and spots on them which I can't move with Wonder Wheels or Turtle Nanomeric stuff

I'm considering using something a bit more abrasive - anyone got any ideas?

Also considering contacting SEAT as maybe this is a warranty claim?

Thanks guys for any help

 

[slick]

I have find this on many wheels I've had in my life and found that the water marks are caused BY the "Wonder wheels" as it contains acids of sorts I've been told and so basically it strips the wheels laquer to the paint then the water marks sticks like brown stuff on a blanket...

in the famous words of Iain.....

Prevention is the cure.

You will have to use a car polish to rid the water marks, using the likes of Megiuars Scatch X "Very lighty" on the wheel all over to rid the tar marks, water marks and etc... then once you have done that, cover them in a high grade wax like Meg's #16 hard wax or any hard wearing wax, a few coats of this will prevent the water etching into the alloy, well long enough between washes, so all it means that the waxing continues to wheels too, when u wash the car...
Thats the best way i have found, and i tell u I've tried pretty much everything on the market, it wasnt till i learnt on here that they use acids and etc, i changed my ways and well now my wheels are EASY to clean now...

P.S little note, allow the wax to cure overnight if you can makes it harder wearing i do two in one day, then 2nd layer overnight then next morning i buff it off...and also make sure u have a seperate buffing cloth and application pad to do the wheels, never use the same one u use on the car... common sense thou that!

Hope that explains abit....

(Iain hows that yoda? lol )

 

[alnsaz]

Slick thanks for the excellent advice!

You're right, I use wonder wheels to clean the wheels and thought it was a bit potent!

I considered using T-cut or scratch x but wasn't sure but after trying you're tactics one wheel it works brilliantly!

Once the rain stops in this part of the world I'll have a go at the other 3 and put some good wax on

What about autoglym wheel seal - any good ?

 

[slick]

Thats alright mate, glad i can help!

Autoseal i havent used myself, have a few friends that use it its mainly a cleaning product and therefore nto a prevention to more water marks, hence the hard wax...

If u want a little more shine on the wheels from the wax, then use what Iain has told me, spit shine.... basically u do a layer of wax then spray a mist of quick detailing spray over it and leave and move onto the next wheel and so on till u have done them all then back to the first one, buff it off and repeat as much as u think is needed, this will give u a better shine on the wheels as well as higher length of protection!

 

[jetsetjimbo]

Hey,

The only #16 megs wax I can find is a paste:

http://www.cleanandshiny.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductID=9133

Is that the stuff?

 

[FR-RUSH]

I use poor boys wheel wax, its great, smells fab too.

i never use such stuff as wonderwheels as its very bad for the finnish.

i give the wheels a good scrub with standard shampoo and elbow grease then when nice n sparkly wack on a load of wheel wax and then polish off.

once youve done that a couple of times the wheels are so much easier to clean, and you only need a sponge and water to rinse them.

see link for wheel wax

http://www.motorgeek.co.uk/poorboys-wheel-sealant-p-165.html

 

[slick]

Hey,

The only #16 megs wax I can find is a paste:

http://www.cleanandshiny.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductID=9133

Is that the stuff?

Thats the stuff its a hard set wax... hard work to use, but the results are brilliant!!