fikse wheel maintenance

matt911 · 08-17-2007, 04:38 PM

I bought the car about two years ago with the wheels already on it. I love the wheels and want to make sure I take proper care of them as I think they really set the car off. I wash them with Simple Green as recomended but am wondering if there is more I can do to "perk" them up. Input is appreciated. You'll see there is some crud built up in the corners and some "spots". They look great at a slight distance but you can see by the close ups that there are some pending issues.

chrisp · 08-17-2007, 05:01 PM

Polish the lips with an aluminum polish. Do it either by hand or with one of those polishing balls that conects to a dril.

The centers are clearcoated and should be treated like any other painted surface. If the white spots don't come off with soap/water you may want to start with a cleaner wax. If that doesn't cut deep enough use a polishing compound applied by hand.

Not sure if they still do it but a couple of years ago you could send the wheels to Fikse and they refinish the centers.When I inquired they wanted $50 per center.

oregonmon · oregonmon's Garage

Who recommends using Simple green? Maybe Simple Green is too rough on the finish from looks of the white discoloration, I don't know I have never used it. Not sure what to use to restore maybe polishing compound, but I would think the less harsh chemicals the better. Those wheels are really good looking but you might want to use soap and water, a brush and a lot of elbow grease.

matt911 · 08-17-2007, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oregonmon

Who recommends using Simple green? Maybe Simple Green is too rough on the finish from looks of the white discoloration, I don't know I have never used it. Not sure what to use to restore maybe polishing compound, but I would think the less harsh chemicals the better. Those wheels are really good looking but you might want to use soap and water, a brush and a lot of elbow grease.

The Fikse website recommends Simple Green. At a recent local PCA meet with a BBS wheel rep they also recommended Simple Green as the best wheel cleaning agent, least harmful to the paint.

matt911 · 08-17-2007, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisp

Polish the lips with an aluminum polish. Do it either by hand or with one of those polishing balls that conects to a dril.

The centers are clearcoated and should be treated like any other painted surface. If the white spots don't come off with soap/water you may want to start with a cleaner wax. If that doesn't cut deep enough use a polishing compound applied by hand.

Not sure if they still do it but a couple of years ago you could send the wheels to Fikse and they refinish the centers.When I inquired they wanted $50 per center.

The lips are perfect, I have used polish. I've been hesitant to do much to the centers as you say the centers are clearcoated. I guess I do it to my paint, why not the wheels?