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    Jan 18, 2006 4:05:36 AM

    Nrgy
    Newbie
    Nrgy
    Loc: WA
    Posts: 12, Gallery
    Registered on: Sep 9, 2005

    OT: Cleaning dirt inside wheel wells..

    Just curious what people do about cleaning the dirt/dust stains that collects inside the wheel wells, especially along the black plastic liners. To me, this area seems to be the most telling sign of a car that no longer has that showroom shine. Especially when the black plastic liner becomes faded looking. It is too difficult to fit a brush in there to do a thorough scrubbin, and high pressure water doesn't seem to get it back to that shiny black.

    The only way I can think to restore that shine would be to remove each of the wheels and scrub away. However for obvious reasons this doesn't seem too appealing.

    Are there any products people have found that you can spray inside the wheel wells to remove that those tough dirt stains without having to scrub?

    Thanks!

    Jan 18, 2006 4:24:34 AM

    SrfCity
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    SrfCity
    Loc: Orange County, CA
    Posts: 1339, Gallery
    Registered on: Jul 21, 2004
    Reply to: Nrgy

    Re: OT: Cleaning dirt inside wheel wells..

    Aren't you going to drive yourself nuts over that one? You live in WA right? Rains oh, just about every other day.

    Use a long handled brush first and then a product like 2001 spray to keep it looking new. Good luck with it.

    Jan 18, 2006 4:33:39 AM

    JP66 Offline
    Rennteam Pro
    JP66
    Loc: Seattle , United States
    Posts: 2217, Gallery
    Registered on: Jul 10, 2003
    Reply to: Nrgy

    Re: OT: Cleaning dirt inside wheel wells..

    Take each wheel off and clean them. Then apply a few coats of something like Rejex, to the inside of each wheel. With this type of application, your wheels will be easier to clean in the future, with light brushing. Just be sure to tighten the wheels back on to the proper torque settings. I believe it's 96 ft lbs.

    Or, if you have a jack, lift one side of the car up high enough for you to get under and clean the inside of the wheel while it's still on the car.

    I know what you mean about the "showroom" look. I like a nice clean look all around, including the inside of the wheels.

    Jan 18, 2006 5:09:30 AM

    Nrgy
    Newbie
    Nrgy
    Loc: WA
    Posts: 12, Gallery
    Registered on: Sep 9, 2005
    Reply to: JP66

    Re: OT: Cleaning dirt inside wheel wells..

    Ya, I probably would drive myself nuts, especially condering we were on a 27 day rain streak here in Seattle, but I have a commuter car that takes most of the rain abuse.

    JP66, actually I'm able to get inside the wheels ok with this cone shaped brush I have, the area I'm referring to is between the tire and inside the fender, where it's lined with black plastic. I can hardly squeeze my brush in there, and even when I do I can't move it around.

    But I suppose the solution would be the same, removing each wheel. But here in Seattle that really isn't a viable option

    Anyhow, just thought I'd see if there was some product I was unaware of that could take care of the job. It is a little frustrating to go through all that work to clean the exterior, interior, wheels (inside the wheels), tires...only to have those hard to reach dirty black liners staring back at you. Of course most people wouldn't notice nor care...except me.

    Jan 18, 2006 5:33:58 AM

    JP66 Offline
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    JP66
    Loc: Seattle , United States
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    Reply to: Nrgy

    Re: OT: Cleaning dirt inside wheel wells..

    I live in Seattle too

    Jan 18, 2006 3:59:06 PM

    nicholas j
    Senior
    nicholas j
    Loc: Upstate New York , United States
    Posts: 646, Gallery
    Registered on: Dec 23, 2004
    Reply to: JP66

    Re: OT: Cleaning dirt inside wheel wells..

    Good advertisement for Griots!!

    Jan 18, 2006 4:09:59 PM

    SrfCity
    Expert
    SrfCity
    Loc: Orange County, CA
    Posts: 1339, Gallery
    Registered on: Jul 21, 2004
    Reply to: nicholas j

    Re: OT: Cleaning dirt inside wheel wells..

    If you jack up the car you should be able to get in there with a brush when the gap opens up.

    Jan 18, 2006 10:48:05 PM

    997 S Cab
    Junior
    997 S Cab
    Loc: Garden State
    Posts: 74, Gallery
    Registered on: Jan 16, 2005
    Reply to: SrfCity

    Re: OT: Cleaning dirt inside wheel wells..

    A toothbrush and Colgate comes to mind.

    Jan 19, 2006 12:25:18 AM

    Nrgy
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    Nrgy
    Loc: WA
    Posts: 12, Gallery
    Registered on: Sep 9, 2005
    Reply to: nicholas j

    Re: OT: Cleaning dirt inside wheel wells..

    Hehe, well I guess I can't use Seattle as an excuse then. I'll probably wait till summer rolls around and do a thorough cleaning by taking the wheels off. Thanks for the suggestions.

    Jan 19, 2006 2:07:08 AM

    SeattleGT3
    Pilot
    SeattleGT3
    Loc: WA , United States
    Posts: 431, Gallery
    Registered on: May 16, 2005
    Reply to: Nrgy

    Electric Pressure Washer

    I have an Electric Pressure Washer. I would never use it on the Paint but it is very good for wheel and everything under the car. Wheel Wells , wheels, squirrels....

    Jan 23, 2006 5:50:19 AM

    Dan L
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    Dan L
    Loc: Santa Barbara, CA , United States
    Posts: 1957, Gallery
    Registered on: Jan 2, 2006
    Reply to: Nrgy

    Re: OT: Cleaning dirt inside wheel wells..

    One of the best products for cleaning this difficult area is Formula 409. Just don't overspray it onto the finished areas as it will strip wax off big time. I know this may be overkill to some, but I use wax on the paint inside the wheelwells as well as on the backs of all the wheels. It's there to help keep it easier to clean. I wouldn't be too adversed to using a pressure washer in those areas as long as you can turn the pressure down to something reasonable. Too much can damage that soft paint. I intend to use mine (a substantial pressure washer from Kärcher) but will have the boost dialed way down.

    Dan

    Jan 23, 2006 11:45:48 AM

    bstew
    Expert
    bstew
    Loc: NC, USA
    Posts: 1797, Gallery
    Registered on: Oct 11, 2005
    Reply to: SrfCity

    Re: OT: Cleaning dirt inside wheel wells..

    Quote:
    SrfCity said:
    Aren't you going to drive yourself nuts over that one? You live in WA right? Rains oh, just about every other day.

    Use a long handled brush first and then a product like 2001 spray to keep it looking new. Good luck with it.



    I agree 100%, could drive a man crazy over this one.

    Jan 23, 2006 2:11:56 PM

    MMD
    Rennteam VIP
    MMD
    Loc: usa
    Posts: 9652, Gallery
    Registered on: Dec 16, 2004
    Reply to: Nrgy

    Re: OT: Cleaning dirt inside wheel wells..

    I think mine looks better dirty. would be nice if it were black so car doesn't look so high. But dark brown/grey is okay too. When car was new it was silver in there. Not exactly appealing.

    I just hose it off first and last thing; give time to soften up during rest of car wash. Be careful with that pressure washer!!! You can blast water into crevices Porsche NEVER was intended water to go.

    Would drive me crazy if I felt I HAD to clean there. There's just too much other stuff to do in a day, much of it more fun!!!
     
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