Anyone know what substance the hand car washers use to clean alloy wheels?
I can spend hours trying to get my alloys clean and they always still appear
grubby yet if I take the car into one of the numerous hand wash places that
have sprung up, they spray the alloys, leave for a few seconds and then
spray with a power washer and they come up good as new.

Also any recommendations for cleaning tar off the car?

Cheers

Steven.

In message , Steven
Campbell writes
Anyone know what substance the hand car washers use to clean alloy wheels?
I can spend hours trying to get my alloys clean and they always still appear
grubby yet if I take the car into one of the numerous hand wash places that
have sprung up, they spray the alloys, leave for a few seconds and then
spray with a power washer and they come up good as new.

Also any recommendations for cleaning tar off the car?

Cheers

Steven.



I have no experience of this but it was recommended on another group I
look at.

http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/category_s/6.htm
--
Bill

Steven Campbell wrote:
Anyone know what substance the hand car washers use to clean alloy
wheels? I can spend hours trying to get my alloys clean and they
always still appear grubby yet if I take the car into one of the
numerous hand wash places that have sprung up, they spray the alloys,
leave for a few seconds and then spray with a power washer and they
come up good as new.

Most alloy wheel cleaners are (or where) phosphoric acid based. Halfords do
a pretty good range, including the Autoglym products which are used by pro
valeters.

Also any recommendations for cleaning tar off the car?

Specific tar & glue remover - again Autoglym from Halfords.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

In message , Bill
writes
In message , Steven
Campbell writes
Anyone know what substance the hand car washers use to clean alloy wheels?
I can spend hours trying to get my alloys clean and they always still appear
grubby yet if I take the car into one of the numerous hand wash places that
have sprung up, they spray the alloys, leave for a few seconds and then
spray with a power washer and they come up good as new.

Also any recommendations for cleaning tar off the car?

Cheers

Steven.



I have no experience of this but it was recommended on another group I
look at.

http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/category_s/6.htm


I use these people for aluminium cleaning chemicals

http://www.chemiclean.co.uk/


--
geoff

On Jul 2, 9:31*pm, geoff wrote:
In message , Bill
writes





In message , Steven
Campbell writes
Anyone know what substance the hand car washers use to clean alloy wheels?
I can spend hours trying to get my alloys clean and they always still appear
grubby yet if I take the car into one of the numerous hand wash places that
have sprung up, they spray the alloys, leave for a few seconds and then
spray with a power washer and they come up good as new.

Also any recommendations for cleaning tar off the car?

Cheers

Steven.

I have no experience of this but it was recommended on another group I
look at.

http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/category_s/6.htm

I use these people for aluminium cleaning chemicals

http://www.chemiclean.co.uk/

--
geoff- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

As MD stated, most of the wheel cleaners you come across in Halfords
etc. are acid based which is fine for occasional use but should be
avoided for regular use as over time they tend to attach the coating
on the wheels. I also noticed on my last car that with repeated use
they also rusted the hubs and damaged the plastic wheel centres/
badges. Wonder Wheels is one of the best if you must use an acid
based one.
I have now switched to a none acid based cleaner and it works fine for
regular use with none of the above symptoms. I use an Autoglym one
from Halfords - Custom wheel cleaner I think although they also make
an acid based one so check the back of the bottle. Once clean you can
apply some hard wax car polish or one of the wheel protection products
available from the likes of Halfords. These will reduce the amount of
cleaning you need to do in future.

On Jul 3, 10:08*am, PAJ wrote:
On Jul 2, 9:31*pm, geoff wrote:





In message , Bill
writes

In message , Steven
Campbell writes
Anyone know what substance the hand car washers use to clean alloy wheels?
I can spend hours trying to get my alloys clean and they always still appear
grubby yet if I take the car into one of the numerous hand wash places that
have sprung up, they spray the alloys, leave for a few seconds and then
spray with a power washer and they come up good as new.

Also any recommendations for cleaning tar off the car?

Cheers

Steven.

I have no experience of this but it was recommended on another group I
look at.

http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/category_s/6.htm

I use these people for aluminium cleaning chemicals

http://www.chemiclean.co.uk/

--
geoff- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

As MD stated, most of the wheel cleaners you come across in Halfords
etc. are acid based which is fine for occasional use but should be
avoided for regular use as over time they tend to attach the coating
on the wheels. *I also noticed on my last car that with repeated use
they also rusted the hubs and damaged the plastic wheel centres/
badges. *Wonder Wheels is one of the best if you must use an acid
based one.
I have now switched to a none acid based cleaner and it works fine for
regular use with none of the above symptoms. *I use an Autoglym one
from Halfords - Custom wheel cleaner I think although they also make
an acid based one so check the back of the bottle. *Once clean you can
apply some hard wax car polish or one of the wheel protection products
available from the likes of Halfords. *These will reduce the amount of
cleaning you need to do in future.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Sorry,
Meant to say ATTACK the coating on the wheel (not attach).

In article ,
Steven Campbell wrote:
Anyone know what substance the hand car washers use to clean alloy
wheels? I can spend hours trying to get my alloys clean and they always
still appear grubby yet if I take the car into one of the numerous hand
wash places that have sprung up, they spray the alloys, leave for a few
seconds and then spray with a power washer and they come up good as new.

What makes them difficult to clean is brake dust from the pads - it's hot
and etches into the paint. Stock BMW pads are notorious for this. Changing
to a different make can help.

--
*If tennis elbow is painful, imagine suffering with tennis balls *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In message
, PAJ
writes
On Jul 2, 9:31*pm, geoff wrote:
In message , Bill
writes





In message , Steven
Campbell writes
Anyone know what substance the hand car washers use to clean alloy wheels?
I can spend hours trying to get my alloys clean and they always
still appear
grubby yet if I take the car into one of the numerous hand wash places that
have sprung up, they spray the alloys, leave for a few seconds and then
spray with a power washer and they come up good as new.

Also any recommendations for cleaning tar off the car?

Cheers

Steven.

I have no experience of this but it was recommended on another group I
look at.

http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/category_s/6.htm

I use these people for aluminium cleaning chemicals

http://www.chemiclean.co.uk/

--
geoff- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

As MD stated, most of the wheel cleaners you come across in Halfords
etc. are acid based which is fine for occasional use but should be
avoided for regular use as over time they tend to attach the coating
on the wheels.

Which is why I offered the above link, duh ...

--
geoff

On Jul 3, 6:36*pm, geoff wrote:
In message
, PAJ
writes





On Jul 2, 9:31*pm, geoff wrote:
In message , Bill
writes

In message , Steven
Campbell writes
Anyone know what substance the hand car washers use to clean alloy wheels?
I can spend hours trying to get my alloys clean and they always
still appear
grubby yet if I take the car into one of the numerous hand wash places that
have sprung up, they spray the alloys, leave for a few seconds and then
spray with a power washer and they come up good as new.

Also any recommendations for cleaning tar off the car?

Cheers

Steven.

I have no experience of this but it was recommended on another group I
look at.

http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/category_s/6.htm

I use these people for aluminium cleaning chemicals

http://www.chemiclean.co.uk/

--
geoff- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

As MD stated, most of the wheel cleaners you come across in Halfords
etc. are acid based which is fine for occasional use but should be
avoided for regular use as over time they tend to attach the coating
on the wheels.

Which is why I offered the above link, duh ...

--
geoff- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Geoff,
I don't know what your problem is but I was only giving additional
information to the OP. It would be a pretty dull forum if only one
person responded to each question. Also he might prefer to get
something in Halfords or the like rather than a specialist internet
company particularly when the link you offered takes him to an acid
based cleaner which I was recommending against.

"Steven Campbell" wrote in message
...
Anyone know what substance the hand car washers use to clean alloy wheels?
I can spend hours trying to get my alloys clean and they always still
appear grubby yet if I take the car into one of the numerous hand wash
places that have sprung up, they spray the alloys, leave for a few seconds
and then spray with a power washer and they come up good as new.

Also any recommendations for cleaning tar off the car?

Cheers

Steven.

Thanks folks for the many suggestions.I hadn't washed the car for about 6
months, as I was getting the car washers to do it but since I have a tiny
crack in my bumper where paint is coming away every time they use the power
washers on the car, I decided to wash it by hand yesterday.
Interestingly the alloy wheels cleaned up lovely with only soapy water. I
reckon whatever magic spray the car washers used, it left a kind of coating
on the wheels that has made it a lot easier to clean.

Thanks again.

Steven.

On 4 July, 00:29, "Steven Campbell" wrote:
"Steven Campbell" wrote in message

...

Anyone know what substance the hand car washers use to clean alloy wheels?
I can spend hours trying to get my alloys clean and they always still
appear grubby yet if I take the car into one of the numerous hand wash
places that have sprung up, they spray the alloys, leave for a few seconds
and then spray with a power washer and they come up good as new.

Also any recommendations for cleaning tar off the car?

Cheers

Steven.

Thanks folks for the many suggestions.I hadn't washed the car for about 6
months, as I was getting the car washers to do it but since I have a tiny
crack in my bumper where paint is coming away every time they use the power
washers on the car, I decided to wash it by hand yesterday.
Interestingly the alloy wheels cleaned up lovely with only soapy water. I
reckon whatever magic spray the car washers used, it left a kind of coating
on the wheels that has made it a lot easier to clean.

Thanks again.

Steven.

A bit late I know, but I use Bilberry wheel cleaner, excellent
product. Not acidic and used by professional valeters.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels.../prod_499.html

And then seal the wheels with something like:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels.../prod_197.html

David wrote:
On 4 July, 00:29, "Steven Campbell" wrote:
"Steven Campbell" wrote in message

...

Anyone know what substance the hand car washers use to clean alloy wheels?
I can spend hours trying to get my alloys clean and they always still
appear grubby yet if I take the car into one of the numerous hand wash
places that have sprung up, they spray the alloys, leave for a few seconds
and then spray with a power washer and they come up good as new.
Also any recommendations for cleaning tar off the car?
Cheers
Steven.
Thanks folks for the many suggestions.I hadn't washed the car for about 6
months, as I was getting the car washers to do it but since I have a tiny
crack in my bumper where paint is coming away every time they use the power
washers on the car, I decided to wash it by hand yesterday.
Interestingly the alloy wheels cleaned up lovely with only soapy water. I
reckon whatever magic spray the car washers used, it left a kind of coating
on the wheels that has made it a lot easier to clean.

Thanks again.

Steven.

A bit late I know, but I use Bilberry wheel cleaner, excellent
product. Not acidic and used by professional valeters.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels.../prod_499.html


Bilberries aren't acidic?

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...

What makes them difficult to clean is brake dust from the pads - it's hot
and etches into the paint. Stock BMW pads are notorious for this. Changing
to a different make can help.

Or change to a hybrid in which magnets stop the car.

In article ,
Doctor Drivel wrote:
What makes them difficult to clean is brake dust from the pads - it's
hot and etches into the paint. Stock BMW pads are notorious for this.
Changing to a different make can help.

Or change to a hybrid in which magnets stop the car.

More drivel from dribble. And I thought he claimed to have a Prius.
Obviously doesn't know what a disc brake looks like even although you can
see them through the wheel.

--
*Upon the advice of my attorney, my shirt bears no message at this time

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In message , "Dave Plowman (News)"
writes
In article ,
Doctor Drivel wrote:
What makes them difficult to clean is brake dust from the pads - it's
hot and etches into the paint. Stock BMW pads are notorious for this.
Changing to a different make can help.

Or change to a hybrid in which magnets stop the car.

More drivel from dribble.

Are you sure ?

I thought that you could stop one with a fridge magnet

And I thought he claimed to have a Prius.
Obviously doesn't know what a disc brake looks like even although you can
see them through the wheel.


Well there is that, of course

What sports car did he also claim to own, until someone actually took
him to task on it ?

--
bumsnase

"David" wrote in message
...
On 4 July, 00:29, "Steven Campbell" wrote:
"Steven Campbell" wrote in message

...

Anyone know what substance the hand car washers use to clean alloy
wheels?
I can spend hours trying to get my alloys clean and they always still
appear grubby yet if I take the car into one of the numerous hand wash
places that have sprung up, they spray the alloys, leave for a few
seconds
and then spray with a power washer and they come up good as new.

Also any recommendations for cleaning tar off the car?

Cheers

Steven.

Thanks folks for the many suggestions.I hadn't washed the car for about 6
months, as I was getting the car washers to do it but since I have a tiny
crack in my bumper where paint is coming away every time they use the
power
washers on the car, I decided to wash it by hand yesterday.
Interestingly the alloy wheels cleaned up lovely with only soapy water. I
reckon whatever magic spray the car washers used, it left a kind of
coating
on the wheels that has made it a lot easier to clean.

Thanks again.

Steven.

A bit late I know, but I use Bilberry wheel cleaner, excellent
product. Not acidic and used by professional valeters.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels.../prod_499.html

And then seal the wheels with something like:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels.../prod_197.html

Not too late David, thanks for the advice.

Steven.

In article ,
geoff wrote:
In message , "Dave Plowman (News)"
writes
In article ,
Doctor Drivel wrote:
What makes them difficult to clean is brake dust from the pads -
it's hot and etches into the paint. Stock BMW pads are notorious
for this. Changing to a different make can help.

Or change to a hybrid in which magnets stop the car.

More drivel from dribble.

Are you sure ?

I thought that you could stop one with a fridge magnet

And I thought he claimed to have a Prius. Obviously doesn't know what a
disc brake looks like even although you can see them through the wheel.


Well there is that, of course

And some modern BMWs use regenerative braking via the alternator. So you
don't even need a hybrid for that...

What sports car did he also claim to own, until someone actually took
him to task on it ?

DB7, IIRC. When he was the IMOM. On different medication, obviously.

--
*A bartender is just a pharmacist with a limited inventory *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...


And some modern BMWs use regenerative braking via the alternator. So you
don't even need a hybrid for that...

What do they do with the energy?
The battery should be charged by the alternator within a few seconds of
starting the engine so I doubt if it could store the energy generated.
Its probably just some marketing man telling porkies.

"dennis@home" wrote:
"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
And some modern BMWs use regenerative braking via the alternator. So you
don't even need a hybrid for that...

What do they do with the energy?
The battery should be charged by the alternator within a few seconds of
starting the engine so I doubt if it could store the energy generated.
Its probably just some marketing man telling porkies.

They use a bigger battery which operates at round about 80% charge to
give the headroom you are talking about. There is a control system which
only clutches in the alternator when the engine is in overrun or during
braking.

More info he
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006...troduces_.html

"dennis@home" gurgled happily, sounding
much like they were saying:

And some modern BMWs use regenerative braking via the alternator. So
you don't even need a hybrid for that...

What do they do with the energy?
The battery should be charged by the alternator within a few seconds of
starting the engine so I doubt if it could store the energy generated.
Its probably just some marketing man telling porkies.

They run the alternator light under computer control to help save a
weensy drip of fuel. (Same with the oil pump, ffs... If that isn't a
recipe for disaster, what is?)

Then there's the stop-start of the engine in traffic, so greater battery
consumption due to more regular starting.

Adrian gurgled happily, sounding much like they
were saying:

They run the alternator light under computer control to help save a
weensy drip of fuel.

Clarification...

They run the alternator with a light load.
The alternator warning lamp is irrelevant.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Doctor Drivel wrote:
What makes them difficult to clean is brake dust from the pads - it's
hot and etches into the paint. Stock BMW pads are notorious for this.
Changing to a different make can help.

Or change to a hybrid in which magnets stop the car.

More

You must eff off as you a total plantpot.

"geoff" wrote in message
...

I thought that you could stop one with a fridge magnet

Maxie, you rae having laugh! Such fun! such fun indeed. What a man!

What sports car did he also claim to own,

DB6 Maxie!

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...

DB7,

You must eff off as you are a plantpot.

"dennis@home" wrote in message
...

And some modern BMWs use regenerative braking via the alternator. So you
don't even need a hybrid for that...

What do they do with the energy?
The battery should be charged by the alternator within a few seconds of
starting the engine so I doubt if it could store the energy generated.
Its probably just some marketing man telling porkies.

No. Is is just that you conversing with an idiot.

"Adrian" wrote in message
...
"dennis@home" gurgled happily, sounding
much like they were saying:

And some modern BMWs use regenerative braking via the alternator. So
you don't even need a hybrid for that...

What do they do with the energy?
The battery should be charged by the alternator within a few seconds of
starting the engine so I doubt if it could store the energy generated.
Its probably just some marketing man telling porkies.

They run the alternator light under computer control to help save a
weensy drip of fuel. (Same with the oil pump, ffs... If that isn't a
recipe for disaster, what is?)

Then there's the stop-start of the engine in traffic, so greater battery
consumption due to more regular starting.

By 2015 BMW may have a car that is near to the 1st generation Prius. If you
are going to do it, do it properly and do a proper hybrid, and stop fiddling
around the edges.

They should do what Chevrolet is doing with the Chevy Volt. The car is only
powered by an electric motor.

In article ,
Doctor Drivel wrote:
They run the alternator light under computer control to help save a
weensy drip of fuel. (Same with the oil pump, ffs... If that isn't a
recipe for disaster, what is?)

Then there's the stop-start of the engine in traffic, so greater
battery consumption due to more regular starting.

By 2015 BMW may have a car that is near to the 1st generation Prius. If
you are going to do it, do it properly and do a proper hybrid, and stop
fiddling around the edges.

You mean make a car which is horrid to drive, can't go round corners,
drives on a motorway like a Morris Minor with a duff cylinder and uses
more fuel than large petrol autos?

Not BMW. When they do bring out a hybrid it will be properly done.

--
*I have plenty of talent and vision. I just don't care.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Doctor Drivel wrote:
They run the alternator light under computer control to help save a
weensy drip of fuel. (Same with the oil pump, ffs... If that isn't a
recipe for disaster, what is?)

Then there's the stop-start of the engine in traffic, so greater
battery consumption due to more regular starting.

By 2015 BMW may have a car that is near to the 1st generation Prius. If
you are going to do it, do it properly and do a proper hybrid, and stop
fiddling around the edges.

You

You must eff off as you are a plantpot.

"Adrian" wrote in message
...
"dennis@home" gurgled happily, sounding
much like they were saying:

And some modern BMWs use regenerative braking via the alternator. So
you don't even need a hybrid for that...

What do they do with the energy?
The battery should be charged by the alternator within a few seconds of
starting the engine so I doubt if it could store the energy generated.
Its probably just some marketing man telling porkies.

They run the alternator light under computer control to help save a
weensy drip of fuel. (Same with the oil pump, ffs... If that isn't a
recipe for disaster, what is?)

Then there's the stop-start of the engine in traffic, so greater battery
consumption due to more regular starting.

So probably even out at best. Chemical batteries store a lot of energy but
because of the state change, they charge and discharge slowly. A car
braking will not take all the kinetic energy. Using a supercapacitor
virtually all the kinetic energy will be clawed back, then this can be used
accelerate the car using an electric motor.

"Jim" wrote in message
...
"dennis@home" wrote:
"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
And some modern BMWs use regenerative braking via the alternator. So
you
don't even need a hybrid for that...

What do they do with the energy?
The battery should be charged by the alternator within a few seconds of
starting the engine so I doubt if it could store the energy generated.
Its probably just some marketing man telling porkies.

They use a bigger battery which operates at round about 80% charge to
give the headroom you are talking about. There is a control system which
only clutches in the alternator when the engine is in overrun or during
braking.

The same can be done with a/c. A heavy clutch on the a/c compressor that
only engages the compressor when on engine overrun or braking. This would
mean an eco switch on the dash, to use in normal everyday running and a
"constant" (always on) for sustained M'way driving. Then it costs nothing
to run the a/c when in eco mode.

"Doctor Drivel" gurgled happily, sounding much
like they were saying:

And some modern BMWs use regenerative braking via the alternator. So
you don't even need a hybrid for that...

What do they do with the energy?
The battery should be charged by the alternator within a few seconds
of starting the engine so I doubt if it could store the energy
generated. Its probably just some marketing man telling porkies.

They run the alternator light under computer control to help save a
weensy drip of fuel. (Same with the oil pump, ffs... If that isn't a
recipe for disaster, what is?)

Then there's the stop-start of the engine in traffic, so greater
battery consumption due to more regular starting.

So probably even out at best.

At best.

But think of the marketing benefit...

In article ,
Doctor Drivel wrote:
Chemical batteries store a lot of energy but
because of the state change, they charge and discharge slowly.

Wondered why no trucks ever start using lead acid batteries at a discharge
rate of 600 amps or so. You thick ****.

--
*For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article ,
Doctor Drivel wrote:
The same can be done with a/c. A heavy clutch on the a/c compressor
that only engages the compressor when on engine overrun or braking.

Is there no end to your ignorance? Every car AC system already has a
clutch twixt drive and compressor. And that has to be controlled by a
pressure switch - otherwise the system could freeze.

--
*I believe five out of four people have trouble with fractions. *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Doctor Drivel wrote:
The same can be done with a/c. A heavy clutch on the a/c compressor
that only engages the compressor when on engine overrun or braking.

Is

You must eff off as you are a total Jocko plantpot.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Doctor Drivel wrote:
Chemical batteries store a lot of energy but
because of the state change, they charge and discharge slowly.

Wondered

You must eff off as you are a total Jocko plantpot

"Adrian" wrote in message
...
"Doctor Drivel" gurgled happily, sounding much
like they were saying:

And some modern BMWs use regenerative braking via the alternator. So
you don't even need a hybrid for that...

What do they do with the energy?
The battery should be charged by the alternator within a few seconds
of starting the engine so I doubt if it could store the energy
generated. Its probably just some marketing man telling porkies.

They run the alternator light under computer control to help save a
weensy drip of fuel. (Same with the oil pump, ffs... If that isn't a
recipe for disaster, what is?)

Then there's the stop-start of the engine in traffic, so greater
battery consumption due to more regular starting.

So probably even out at best.

At best.

But think of the marketing benefit...

That is about all it is worth, and the thick suck it in. There is no way is
stops a car using it as a break. This 2nd rate maker should concentrate on
doing real hybrids, not phaffing about with crap.

"Doctor Drivel" gurgled happily, sounding much
like they were saying:

So probably even out at best.

At best.

But think of the marketing benefit...

That is about all it is worth, and the thick suck it in.

Just as they do with hybrids.

"Adrian" wrote in message
...
"Doctor Drivel" gurgled happily, sounding much
like they were saying:

So probably even out at best.

At best.

But think of the marketing benefit...

That is about all it is worth, and the thick suck it in.

Just as they do with hybrids.

Pay attention!