OEM 18" Wheels - Time Consuming to Clean?

[jasebud]

Is it just me or are the OEM 18" wheels very time consuming to clean? About half the time I spend washing my M3 is spent cleaning the wheels. My routine involves applying P21S wheel cleaner to a wheel, letting it set a couple minutes, using a large brush to scrub entire wheel, rinse, using a sponge on the entire wheel, rinse, using a small wheel brush to clean in between spokes, and final rinse.

Anyone have a more time efficient technique/tools of cleaning these wheels? TIA.

[M3Captain]

I just powerwash the wheels no soap just high pressure water. Gets all the brake dust off.

[jojogoya88]

TELL ME ABOUT IT! i hate cleaning them...any other ways? i feel like taking acid and melting the wheels because of this problem

[J08M3]

if it makes you feel any better 19's are just as hard to clean, at least the 18's are dark gray to begin with

[DevJ]

Originally Posted by J08M3

if it makes you feel any better 19's are just as hard to clean, at least the 18's are dark gray to begin with

+1

I spend quite a bit of time on my wheels to keep them nice and shiny..then they get covered with brake dust

[signes]

Originally Posted by J08M3

if it makes you feel any better 19's are just as hard to clean, at least the 18's are dark gray to begin with

I think the 19s are far worse to clean. The gap between the split in the spokes is really narrow and difficult to clean thoroughly. The lip, on the surface and behind the spokes, is also a PITA. At least they aren't the mesh wheels of the old days. Talk about pain in the a$$...

[Zed]

I used some wheel wax on my 19s, and it made a huge difference. Now I can just use some of my remaining suds and a microfiber wash pad. Rinse. Works great. Was a royal pain prior, brake dust stuck to everything.

Waxing them took some time, but thus far it has paid off.

[Dartanium]

p21s gel for 5 minutes, power wash and wheels come out super clean.

I tried to use a sponge and it took way too long to get to every spoke

[///V\3Dude]

I have one of those magic balls from Maguires i believe, and i just add some wheel polish and water and soap and just start balling, it works pretty well, then i just hose it down with the Mr.Clean filtered water system, and it does the trick:-)

[M3FOR4]

19" guys...
I have found that buying some cheap disposable 2" wide foam paint brushes from Home depot/Lowes etc. fit well between the spokes in the really narrow areas... I bought a 6 pack of these and use them till they fall apart. I just throw in the bucket with soapy water and slide them between the spokes.
Work for me
Thought I would share.

[SlammedM6]

Originally Posted by M3FOR4

19" guys...
I have found that buying some cheap disposable 2" wide foam paint brushes from Home depot/Lowes etc. fit well between the spokes in the really narrow areas... I bought a 6 pack of these and use them till they fall apart. I just throw in the bucket with soapy water and slide them between the spokes.
Work for me
Thought I would share.

I used to detail cars, and one of my customers back then had an E46 M3 Vert with the 19s. I did the same, it was quick and easy and didnt scratch up the wheels

E46 M3 19s are VERY similiar to the E9x M3 19s, so I think you got the idea here!

[zenderm3]

nice one gents. I too have heard that wheel wax saves a lot of time.... is it worth the cost though?