Need Fuchs Cleaning Expertise

[Biggerunn]

I'd like to get some help cleaning 7x15 Fuchs. Apologies if this has been covered before, but if it's in the forum, I couldn't find it. I'm trying to clean some deeply imbedded brake dust that has lightly stained the flat silver anodized portion of the rims that lie between the polished lip and the black background of the pedals or spokes. I'm hesitant to try some after market wheel cleaner out of fear of damaging the finish. I've tried just soap and water and judiciously applied Simple Green, and while it has improved, there is a long way to go to get them to where they should be. I've read about the use of Vasoline, but it seems to be used more to improve a marred finish rather than for cleaning. Or do I have that wrong? Any help would be appreciated.

[speedracer92]

Maybe post some pics - might help people with options.

I used Autosol to clean mine (not the painted part of course) and with enough elbow grease, it did very well.

[AG81]

Help with Forum Search.......

This was posted by another member and it works.......

https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=014238775269149376701jolaky8hjg

[Biggerunn]

Thanks, but I couldn’t get that link to work. Tried everything I could think of, but it got me nowhere. Hopefully whatever suggestions the link holds work better than the link itself! Could you give me the search criteria you used so I could find it myself? Thanks again.

[John W.]

I couldn’t get the link to work either and also need to brighten up my wheels. Thanks.

[spyerx]

Member autoclub911 refinishes Fuchs wheels. The anodizing is very sensitive to cleaners. he suggests ONLY this one. I talked to him about it and he said he's tested a bunch on wheels to see which worked best and created any staining:

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-used-parts-sale-wanted/1032225-fuchs-15x7-8s-rsr-wheels.html#post10503486

I use very mild soap and water in the shade only, dry when finished. Usually I just spray with some detailer spray and wipe off.

The anodizing is sensitive, once it becomes cloudy or stained... they are done.

[Trackrash]

I have used car wax. Not polish. Most car "waxes" contain polish, so be careful. Maguire makes a wax without polish.

You may want to upload a couple of photos of your wheels. Sometimes the anodizing will get pitted or stained and there is not much you can do. Be careful with wheel cleaners, if they are not balanced pH they can stain the wheels.

[AG81]

It works perfectly for me.........

Typed in Cleaning Fuchs Wheels............ and this popped up

cleaning Fuchs wheels - Pelican Parts Forums
forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911.../619539-cleaning-fuchs-wheels.html
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Jul 15, 2011 ... Does anyone know of a magic cleaner that will remove 23 years or brake dust and road grime from the backside of my Fuchs wheels. I doubt ...
How to properly clean fuchs - Pelican Parts Forums
forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche.../1009754-how-properly-clean-fuchs.html
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Oct 7, 2018 ... Hi, My fuchs are covered with some kind of haze/film. ... It looks like someone has used an alloy wheel cleaner on them, I have seem that milky ...
Cleaning fuchs (anodized!) - Pelican Parts Forums
forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche.../763969-cleaning-fuchs-anodized.html
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Aug 2, 2013 ... Hello everybody. What is the best way, the best product to clean ANODIZED fuchs ? ... If you have the rims polished there much easier to clean.
OK, so why does Vaseline shine up Fuchs? - Pelican Parts Forums
forums.pelicanparts.com/.../182430-ok-so-why-does-vaseline-shine-up-fuchs .html
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Sep 13, 2004 ... Do be sure to clean the stuff off afterward in every nook and cranny or it ... Rule # 1, never take pics of a fuchs wheel for sale without givin 'er the ...
Whats the best way to clean the backside of fuchs wheels? - Pelican ...
forums.pelicanparts.com/.../983864-whats-best-way-clean-backside-fuchs- wheels.html
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Jan 12, 2018 ... Lots of grime and corrosion I'd like to clean up and then put some type of clear sealant on them. Any suggestions for quick cleaning and ...
Cleaning fuchs - Pelican Parts Forums
forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911...forum/77733-cleaning-fuchs.html
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Aug 16, 2002 ... I just bought a set of fuchs to replace the BBS's that came on my 87 coupe. ... Also the rims have some water spots I'd like to clean out.
Advice on cleaning Fuchs wheels - Pelican Parts Forums
forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche.../5251-advice-cleaning-fuchs-wheels.html
Jun 21, 2001 ... I have been told to ONLY use soap and water when cleaning my Fuchs wheels, and to not use any cleaner solvent, NEVER. However, I have ...
cleaning Fuchs wheels - Pelican Parts Forums
forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911.../670850-cleaning-fuchs-wheels.html
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Apr 10, 2012 ... what is the correct procedure / product to clean chrome Fuchs rims ? CHEERS ! WITT ! PS: 1988 Carrera Cabriolet 04-10-2012 02:58 PM.
Cleaning fuchs - Page 2 - Pelican Parts Forums
forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911.../77733-cleaning-fuchs-2.html
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Aug 18, 2002 ... I really think something is wrong with your wheels. Restoring my badly neglected Fuchs to a brilliant shine took less than 10 minutes per wheel.
fuchs wheel polishing.. - Pelican Parts Forums
forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911.../426402-fuchs-wheel-polishing.html
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Aug 22, 2008 ... Any one have any pointers or experince taking the black factory fuchs down to bare metal?or polishing/chroming them.I am sure I have not ...

[Biggerunn]

Thanks for the replies. I had done that search, read most if not all the threads, and they mostly seemed to address white streaking on the anodized area due to harsh wheel cleaners. My issue is some brown discoloration from brake dust in that area. Because of the issues everyone talked about with the streaking, I didn’t want to try a cleaner. But Mothers Aluminum Wheel Cleaner is on it’s way! I’ll post the results when it arrives and I’ve given it a go. Thanks again for the help.

[Flojo]

when the anodizing is weathered/gone, there is no more real "cleaning" possible.
You can keep on adressing the clean with nevrdull or similar, but it won't come back.
Thats why so many have gone the route to polish them blank.
Nowadays the fashion is actually to get them re-anodized or RSR-finish-ed.

Not knowing you car, but in case its a hotrod/outlaw, then you may invest in 4 cans of black plastidip an spray them.
well applied (many layers with drying periods) it looks and holds very well.
I ran my Fuchs with plastidip aprox 4 years.
no issues.

[speedracer92]

Originally Posted by Flojo

Not knowing you car, but in case its a hotrod/outlaw, then you may invest in 4 cans of black plastidip an spray them.
well applied (many layers with drying periods) it looks and holds very well.
I ran my Fuchs with plastidip aprox 4 years.
no issues.

Any chance you could post a pic of one of your wheels with the Plastidip on them? I’ve heard about that before but never seen one one. I’d like to refinish my entire wheel in Black but really want to see what it would look like before send them all off to refinish. Thanks.

[Biggerunn]

Out of curiosity, has anyone ever tried the Porsche Classic Wheel Cleaner? I stumbled across it on the Classic Parts website while I was looking for something else. Of course it’s a bit pricey, but not as bad as you’d think, especially if it works. Again, thanks for all of the replies.

[Ian Comerford]

I think the wisdom is to keep wheel cleaners away from Fuchs and just use soapy water. Over the winter when my car is off the road for a week or two of maintenance I coat the anodised surfaces with Vaseline and leave for as long as possible. It seems to help draw out any ingrained muck and has helped keep my wheel very clean for the last 21 years

[86 911 Targa]

https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=&oq=maguire+wheel+cleaner&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GUEA_enUS570US570&q=maguire+wheel+cleaner&gs_l=hp...0i10j0i22i10i30.0.0.0.11232...........0. La9sDGVroxA#spf=1580244075835
^^^^^
Used this for decades.

No issues.

Gerry

[Arne2]

Lot's of pH-neutral wheel cleaners out there. You have to avoid both acidic and alkaline cleaners as either one can damage the anodizing. Once the anodized surface is damaged, no cleaners will bring it back. It will need to be stripped and re-anodized if damaged.

[TwoBluPorsches]

I don't have any advice for cleaning the beauty side of the Fuchs but I did have excellent results with a soda blaster cleaning the backside of the spokes.
Careful not to hit black or painted surfaces.
Made them super clean

[Mike Hollinger]

You might try a detailer’s clay bar. They’re designed to remove particulates from paint and glass so they might improve wheels. Needless to say, don’t use it on your paint later.

[group911@aol.co]

This was the factory recommend method from the beginning.

Originally Posted by Ian Comerford

I think the wisdom is to keep wheel cleaners away from Fuchs and just use soapy water. Over the winter when my car is off the road for a week or two of maintenance I coat the anodised surfaces with Vaseline and leave for as long as possible. It seems to help draw out any ingrained muck and has helped keep my wheel very clean for the last 21 years

[ab1752]

Try a synthetic clay bar with the same mix of car wash soap, be as gentle as possible and then use vaseline.

[Bill Douglas]

Mine had real pitting.

I did the 800 grit, 1000, 1500, 2000 coarse cut, fine cut....

They looked great and I sold them to a guy with a race car who said you shouldn't have bothered