First, and most importantly, NEVER let heavy brake dust accumulate on the
wheels for an extended period. Frequent cleaning is essential--much like
a fine car finish. Most brake pad material becomes highly acidic when mixed
with rain or water. This acidic mix of brake dust and water can damage any
wheel if left on them too long.
Second, it is important to avoid using off-the-shelf “Wheel Cleaner”
products which are typically designed for use on lower quality cast metals.
These, too are usually far too acidic for high performance wheels. Ryan-Performance
recommends a 50/50% mix of biodegradable cleaner such as Simple Green and
cold water. Never use hot water on aluminum, and always let the wheels
cool to room temperature before cleaning. Use a natural sable bristle
paint brush (available in the paint department of most hardware stores)
to clean the lug pockets and spoke corner areas.
Third, clean using this process:
- Spray the wheel with the 50/50 Simple Green and water mix.
- Let stand for 15-30 seconds, using the soft sable brush to
loosen the dirt as mentioned,
- Rinse with cold water.
- Repeat this process as necessary to get the wheel fully clean.
- To dry the wheel, drive the car around the block to fling off
excess water, then pat the wheel gently with a soft, dry, cotton cloth.
Fourth, most of our wheels have the center section clear coated and the
rims polished but left uncoated. This means that the outer rim (if the
wheel finish is TechniPolish, neither coated nor anodized) can be touch-up
polished with a very fine grade metal polish.
Fifth, once your wheels are clean and dry, you may apply a very light
coat of highest-grade wax to the wheels to help protect them between
cleanings.
Finally, it is always advisable to test all cleaning and wheel care
materials on a small inconspicuous part of your wheel to determine if
the products are producing the results you're seeking— Ryan-Performance
offer this tips as a guide line with not implied warranties or Guaranties
of any kind. This bits of information do not apply to damage
caused by improper care or cleaning, so testing any products before
use is strongly recommended.
