Alloy Wheels

A decently protected garage.

Hoping for something a bit cheaper! A garage is not an option at the moment.

Yup; don't use ANY alloy wheel cleaner at all!!!!

Wash them well every week if you can and try to avoid big build ups of brake dust. AutoGlym products are highly recommended so I'd just use their standard Car Shampoo for the wheels and use their gloss wax to protect them.

I wash my alloys every week this way on my Integra DC5 and now my MG ZT 260 and theyre spot on. The alloys on my ZT are OEM but the DC5's alloys are Works specials and cant be replaced!

d_a_n1979:

Yup; don't use ANY alloy wheel cleaner at all!!!! Wash them well every week if you can and try to avoid big build ups of brake dust. AutoGlym products are highly recommended so I'd just use their standard Car Shampoo for the wheels and use their gloss wax to protect them. I wash my alloys every week this way on my Integra DC5 and now my MG ZT 260 and theyre spot on. The alloys on my ZT are OEM but the DC5's alloys are Works specials and cant be replaced!

Back in the day when I had TSW 'Blades' on my Sierra (All 15" of them!). I'd use Wonder Wheels for an intensive clean, but agree that it's better to do a regular clean with a soft brush and hot, soapy water.

Also, if you can avoid parking next to kerbs, then great. Driveways rule.

Then I bought a 4x4 with 16" alloys, but 70 profile tyres. Kerbs hold no fear for me any more!

Just clean the wheels with plenty of elbow grease and hot soapy water on a regular basis.

Miggs

This is a great product to give your wheels an extra bit of protection after cleaning them:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/chemical-guys-wheel-guard/prod_197.html

Thanks for the responses. Halfords are doing a buy two get another free for Autoglym, so some polish, an Alloy protection spray I have never seen before and more regular cleaning with posh car soap and water. I am not paying £11,000 for refurbished alloys and letting them perish.

Well, washing weekly with Wonder Wheels works wonderfully well...

Also I found that avoiding kerbs is key.  Once my wheels were scuffed, the white 'corrosion' took hold in the scratches and then spread.  I haven't kerbed this set yet, and they're still pristine 12 months later.

My last two sets of alloys were never kerbed. The corrosion (as such, they bubble and the surface comes apart) came from inside out. They were a good six years old before the corrosion set in. They and the latest set sit in the wheel as opposed to the ones that sit proud of the wheel. So it should be easier to keep them away from the kerb. The latest set are 4 years old and I tend to buy cars at 3 to 4 years and keep them till they are 9 or 10. So I may be asking a bit too much.

Does anyone think that it is a case of, alloys last so many years and then need to be refurbished, no matter what?

Hi there IDC. I experienced exactly the same corrosion on my alloy wheels, when i bought my car in 2006. However, i now consider myself to be a very keen Car Detailing Enthusiast. This is basically someone who spends lots of money on car care products to look after their 'pride and joy'. I too started buying Halfords products, and indeed, Autoglym products are good, but you would be surprised at how many other products are out there that are just as good, and better, and in some cases cheaper.

                                        Without boring you though, in response to your alloys, i would recommend that you not only clean your wheels at least once a week,but also try to 'seal' them too. This involves polishing your alloys [Autoglym Super Resin Polish will do] and then use a wheel sealant afterwards[ such as Poorboys Wheels Sealant - a type of wax!] After you have done this, even though your alloys will get dirty, obviously, they will repel dirt much better, and greatly reduce corrosion. A good website for advice and cleaning products is Polished Bliss.co.uk. Hope this helps!