Ackk! I wrecked my Fuchs!!

[SLO-BOB]

I'm such an idiot! I was cleaning out my car and found a bottle of Westle's Blech-wite tire cleaner that I purchased to wash the hull of my sailboat. It does a bang up job on white gel coat and states it's for blackwalls too. Sooooo, I figure "what the heck" my tires are a little dingy looking. Let's clean 'em up. It was not until I was finished that I read the directions which state-"Do not allow this product to come in cintact with aluminum or magnesium. Arghhhh!!!! Sure enough-I have run marks where the concentrated stuff removed the anodizing or etched the aluminum or whatever. I was just getting used to the look of the vintage anodized petina. Looks like Al Reed has another set of rims to do.

[scottb]

***** happens. Don't beat yourself up. Send 'em off to All. You'll be thrilled with his work.

[john walker's workshop]

some folks have applied vaseline to restore the patina. never tried it myself. i assume you don't leave the greasy stuff on to collect dirt.

[Jim Chambers]

Try some polish like Mothers. I have used that cleaner on tires for years and had no wheel problems. Maybe I was just lucky and didn't get much on the wheels or rinsed it off quickly enough. It is a great tire cleaner.

[Fast Eddy]

Try Never Dull it works wonders.

[anthony]

I was just getting used to the look of the vintage anodized petina.

You could always find another set of used wheels.

[Gunter]

Yep, used Vaseline generously and left it on for days, liked the results both on the paint and anodize.

[SLO-BOB]

Originally posted by john walker's workshop
some folks have applied vaseline to restore the patina. never tried it myself. i assume you don't leave the greasy stuff on to collect dirt.

Egads john! That worked! I went with my wife to the local grocery store to get Vaseline, ice-cream, and hot fudge-in that order (they must have wondered...) Anyway, on the way I told my wife what you said. She thought it would have been a good lark as in...."Okay-your prank for today is to get some fool to rub vaseline on his wheels". Well-it's no joke, It worked. I didn't leave it on either. I buffed it off dry. The wheels look better than ever (in my tenure with the car anyway). I am eternally grateful for the help. If you make it over to Wisconsin, look me up-dinner is on me.

[john walker's workshop]

alright! now what are you going to do with the leftovers?

[Rot 911]

I used to use the vaseline routine once a month on my wheels before I got some with the Al Reed magic done to them. Use the vaseline on the black parts too. Gives them a nice renewed satin finish.

[B D]

alright! now what are you going to do with the leftovers?

That will be for his wife to decide

[Por_sha911]

Originally posted by B D
That will be for his wife to decide

That's getting into way more information than I want to know.

[Randy Webb]

Be sure to rub the vasoline in well

(on the wheels, I mean....)

[86 911]

I had a similair situation with my BBS rims. I had used a cleaner and degreaser on them, and after driving the 911 for maybe 10 miles, I noticed white dots and streaks on the rims! I first used soap and water thinking that I would get the streaks out, but when they weren't out, I used some Rim Cleaner, and that cleared / polished the rims of most of the dots and streaks.

Good luck,
Matt

[Freeman]

Petroleum jelly is actually recommended in the owners manual. Rub it into the rim, leave for an hour or so and then wipe off.

[Aussie]

Petroleum jelly is actually recommended in the owners manual. Rub it into the rim, leave for an hour or so and then wipe off.

What does the Petroleum jelly actually do, give it the wet gloss look like armour oil type products?

[Randy Webb]

more of a sheen, I'd say

it gets down into the pores of the anodized layer

some have used wax instead -- I did a side by side test to compare them once. Later I nver could tell the difference spoke to spoke...

[UK Carrera]

I've found petroleum jelly really good for the black surround on my rear spoiler too. Leaves a really nice satin finish.

[UK Carrera]

Sorry, meant to say on the plastic grille, not the rubber edging.

[Langers]

Originally posted by Sebring77
If you make it over to Wisconsin, look me up-dinner is on me.

I think that as a result of this BBS, John Walker will not have to buy food or drink for the rest of his life