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      05-09-2013, 04:27 PM   #1
npcars
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Black ZCP Wheels, double work, PITA

Hey guys I recently purchased a frozen mineral white M3. As you guys know this edition came with black ZCP wheels. Well, I've never had black wheels before and they are proving to be a real PITA when cleaning the vehicle.

Here's the problem: after washing the wheels and body I drive the car for about 300 yards (around the block) in order to try and get rid of all the excess water. After I dry the body, I dry the wheels, and it NEVER fails, I always have a bunch of rust/brake dust on the inner part of the wheel. This means I have to stick my hand and tools back in there to clean that out.

Essentially I end up cleaning my wheels twice. This is annoying and time consuming. Does anyone know how to address this issue?? Thank in advance...
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      05-09-2013, 04:43 PM   #2
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Clean the wheels with P21S before washing.
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      05-09-2013, 05:00 PM   #3
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First world problems....
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      05-09-2013, 05:24 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by okusa
Clean the wheels with P21S before washing.
I forgot to mention I clean the wheels with Sonax. (Comparable to p21s) and still get the same results.
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      05-09-2013, 05:46 PM   #5
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why don't you get a lawn blower? I picked one up at Home Depot, best $50 ever spent. Will never go back to using microfiber towels for drying.
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      05-09-2013, 06:08 PM   #6
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i'm surprised someone else mentioned this issue. i brought it up awhile ago and got recommended to take an e-z detail brush with a mf towel wrapped around it to clean off the barrels of the rims. otherwise two cleanings is the only way to eliminate this problem :/
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      05-09-2013, 06:25 PM   #7
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the ZCP wheels in general are a total PITA to clean.....

i end up having to go over mine more than once, and they're silver.
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      05-09-2013, 06:28 PM   #8
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I have the same issue so it's not the black rims. I also drive to get the excess water off and end up having to clean the wheels twice, I don't see any way to avoid it as the rust marks come from the rotors.
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      05-09-2013, 06:44 PM   #9
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thanks for the feedback guys. damn. these are the answers I was fearing
oh well....back to square 1
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      05-09-2013, 07:27 PM   #10
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Thoroughly dry the wheels prior to driving the car. Make sure you remove as much excess water from the well before driving. Use a wheel well brush wrapped in a shammy.

I would also dry the car before driving it. The time it takes to dry the car (without using the wind) is less then having to clean the wheels a second time.

Lastly I would avoid wheels cleaners. I just use soap (Chemical Guys Citrus Wash) and water. Brake dust comes off effortlessly and I believe it removes more than a cleaner alone.
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      05-09-2013, 09:38 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hurricane
Thoroughly dry the wheels prior to driving the car. Make sure you remove as much excess water from the well before driving. Use a wheel well brush wrapped in a shammy.

I would also dry the car before driving it. The time it takes to dry the car (without using the wind) is less then having to clean the wheels a second time.

Lastly I would avoid wheels cleaners. I just use soap (Chemical Guys Citrus Wash) and water. Brake dust comes off effortlessly and I believe it removes more than a cleaner alone.
Thanks! This seems like a really good method. I'll try it next time I wash the car and let you know what results I get. Thanks again!!
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      05-10-2013, 12:55 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by npcars View Post
Thanks! This seems like a really good method. I'll try it next time I wash the car and let you know what results I get. Thanks again!!
interested in your feedback as the black zcp's are a real PITA... was thinking Sonax as well with the armour all protectant....
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      05-10-2013, 02:37 PM   #13
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      05-10-2013, 06:17 PM   #14
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I have the same problem, but on the ZCP silver wheels. What I do is skip the wheels when I'm cleaning the car. because no matter what you're going to get some water on the rotors when washing the car and that will cause it to flash rust. Once you step on the brakes the flash rust will rub off and dirty up the barrel like how you have it in your pictures.

So I skip the wheels and clean them later on in the day after I've driven the car. When I clean the wheels, do not use water, do not use any product. Take a spatula or any sturdy stick and wrap a microfiber towel around it. use it to wipe the barrels dry on all 4 wheels. hop in your car and move forward about 4 feet. get out and wipe the barrels with a dry MF towel. hop back in your car move forward another 4 feet, repeat on all wheels. by then your barrels should be brand spanking clean.

PS: I had my 4 wheels opticoated.


My method is not perfect but I hope it gives you an idea on how to solve this problem. If money were no object, I think I would get another set of ZCP wheels/tires, and instead, I would just switch between the two sets of wheels every few weeks and clean the dirty set on my work bench. It's much easier and less stress on your back than crawling down on your knees and poking the rims with a stick.
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      05-11-2013, 07:41 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cambit View Post
PS: I had my 4 wheels opticoated.
Best option to do for all wheels
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      05-11-2013, 08:21 AM   #16
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I have these same wheels in black and never have this rust problem. After cleaning and rinsing the wheels use a leaf blower to dry the inner wheel section and brakes. Most of the water trapped should dry and you'll have much less water dripping @ your first drive after washing. Waxing the rims help maintenance.
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      05-11-2013, 10:37 AM   #17
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Get some Wheel Woolies. Seriously - they make cleaning ZCPs very easy. The long brush easily reaches the back of the barrel and the small brushes clean up the spokes and the edges behind the spokes. I use car wash soap to clean the wheels. Takes about 3-5 min per wheel.

Also - I use a blower to dry off the car, including the wheels. I finish it off with Armor All protectant.

Driving it around to dry the car is just asking to get road dirt thrown up on the wet surface. Not ideal.
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      05-11-2013, 04:17 PM   #18
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I'll use a combination of the different solutions you guys have provided.
I'm thinking washing the wheels (maybe getting a woolie), NOT moving the car, blowing the excess water out of the wheels, and then after I've completely dried the car and driven it around the block, putting a shammy on a spatula and going back at it briefly if needed.

Don't know if that makes sense to you guys, but it does in my head haha!
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      05-11-2013, 04:51 PM   #19
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This issue isn't unique to black wheels. I have the standard ZCPs and use to deal with this all the time, until I started using a leaf blower to dry the car and wheels.

Problem solved
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      05-11-2013, 06:28 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vic311
This issue isn't unique to black wheels. I have the standard ZCPs and use to deal with this all the time, until I started using a leaf blower to dry the car and wheels.

Problem solved
Don't leaf blowers blow dust particles and other harmful stuff onto the paint? I feel like I had heard that somewhere..
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      05-11-2013, 06:37 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by npcars View Post
Don't leaf blowers blow dust particles and other harmful stuff onto the paint? I feel like I had heard that somewhere..
No. Unless you happen to be using it in a dusty environment to begin with.

Leaf blower is the safest way to dry the car without introducing swirls or scratches.
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      05-12-2013, 03:14 PM   #22
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Leaf blower period.... Your driving around the block method will kick up more dust than leaf blower ever will.
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