I have a 2003 F-150 with alloy wheels , after i wash them and they dry there is an awful haze left on the wheel. I can polish them and they look great, but after the next wash............. back to haze. Is there a product I can try or will i have to polish the wheels after every wash?

 

Are the wheels hot when you are washing them? I always let my truck cool in the shade before washing. I use a 50/50 Simple Green and water mix on all my wheels; chrome, polished, alloy with no hazing problems.

 

Id avoid using simple grean on anything but bare metal.

It will start to damage any painted or clear-coated surface.

The typical alloy wheel has a clear coat, to prevent it from oxidizing. If it is hazy, more than likely the clear coat is already failing. Meaning that it is separating from the metal.

If it isnt that far gone, you might be able to bring it back with a good paint polish. Just cean the wheel with auto-soap, dry it good, then go to town with poish. And be sure to apply some kind of wheel protectant (wax designed specifically for wheels).

 

Simple Green will not hurt anything. I've used on all types of wheels, used it to clean MANY engines, I even use it clean grease out of my clothes.

 

Be careful when using Simple Green, it actually promote rust on aluminum.

Try a bottle of Meguiars new Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner, I love it.

- Chris

 

First of all, I dont care what YOU use it for. Just because you happen to use it for something doesnt mean it is the end-all answer, or even the proper use. And cleaning (IE DEGREASING) is a bit different than cleaning the exterior of a car, wheels included.

Second, do realize how many products that Simle Green has out now.

Im talking about the "generic" gallon jugs of Simple Green Degreaser.

And yes, it will cause harm to painted surfaces. Just keep using it, you will find out first hand.

 

Well Humboldt I don't care what YOU use it for either. I never said this was the holy grail of cleaners did I? Yes degreasing is a whole lot different than cleaning wheels, but I was stating a fact that it is a safe, biodegradeabel product that also happens to cleans grease out of clothes very well. Sorry, next time I will keep any kind of tips to myself.

No, I guess I did not realize how many products Simple Green now has out.

I was also speaking of the "generic" gallons.

I have used this product successfully for 17 years and have yet to permanently damage ANY wheels, harm ANY painted surfaces or even cause ANY harm to ANY engine that has been cleaned with it.

 

I dont use it, beyond degreasing. Thats what it is afterall, is a degreaser.

My point was that your claim "Simple Green will not hurt anything." is indeed false. You stated it as a FACT, when it is indeed not. It is an alkaline aqueous solution, that means it is an ACID.

Ive seen enough peeling clear coats on wheels to avoid it. Two of which were owned since new, by family members of mine. It happens slowly, over time. Softening he paint(or clearcoat) until it finally fails to adhere to the steel.

And as FordTruckman mentioned, it is notorious for etching and encouraging oxidation on raw aluminum.

 

I had the same issue. I think it was ROCKPICK who mentioned to just wax the wheel after you polish it. I've done it and it works like a champ! Shine lasts longer, less grime and brake dust too since it has a harder time sticking to the waxed surface.
A spray wax seems to be easiest/quickest to apply. By the time you spray it on the wheel, smear it around good and make it around all four rims its dries enough to remove/buff it up- and you're all set.

 

if your rims are clearcoated, treat them like any other painted surface, and wax them. if they are not clear coated, then there are several polish options, and a couple of sealant options also..

I have had very good luck cleaning and protecting wheels with Metal Armor. they have a painted surface polish, a metal polish, and a final sealant that work very well for all types of wheels.

My Trans Am had painted wheels for a time, and once I polished and sealed them once, I never had to use anything but soap and water on them from that point on ..

I use the Meg's wheelcleaner when I need to clean wheels, and need more power than normal car shampoo.