Can't clean wheels.. NEED HELP!
 

My stock 06 wheels have what seems to be dirt and brake dust build up on them. It looks like they got wet and it started dripping (all from previous owner). I've tried numerous wheel cleaners, and compounds. I even took it to my friend at a collision repair center and he used some industrial strength degreaser on them that probly burned my sense of smell out when i took a light whiff. Nothing has worked at all yet. It kinda looks like it's set in the finish. Anyone have any suggestions??

Time for new wheels and use the old ones for track day or autocross with R compound tires

you can use foaming aluminum acid whel cleaner. wet the wheel. spray the wheel with the acid. wash it with a soapy rag, and then rinse it very well. repeat if needed. i do not know if you can buy acid wheel cleaner at your local supply shop. i use production's foaming acid aluminum wheel cleaner. automagic makes one as well. i use this product in my detailing business everyday, and it has never damaged an aluminum wheel for me. you do have to properly dilute it before you spray it on the wheel. production is a car detailing products company. do a google search, and you should be able to find it. if not send me a pm, and i can help you further. acid will remove just about everything from the wheel surface. on wheels that are just trashed, i might have to repeat the process many times. after you are finished you will want to wipe the wheels dry. you could also follow that with a polish or a wax to be really sure all of the acid residue is off of the wheel, and to provide a smooth shiny finish. good luck.

If the clear coat is damaged or stained there is little that you can do to fix it.

Time for painting or new wheels.

Sell them and buy some wider wheels :) After I got my new wheels, although the OEM wheels are hawt, I ended up selling them as they sat in my shed just taking up space.

have you tried P21S wheel gel yet?

Pictures of the damage? Have you tried clay bar on the wheels?

try some aggressive clay and after use some metal polish.

Options
A. Megs wheel brighter-COntains acid strongest cleaner last ditch effort
B. P21s wheel gel, spray on let sit over night
C. Wash wheels and take the most aggressive clay bar you can find.
D. My favorite buy wheels that dont suck.

Sounds like what has happened to my car. I have had two sets of wheels replaced under warranty in 3,000 miles already because of it. The Nissan rep in my area is now investigating the problem. The wheel becomes stained with black dots that look like excess tire shine/brake dust but it does not come off. They are thinking it is some chemical reaction of some sorts:dunno:

WOW, you are lucky that they are repalcing your wheels. I just bought an used 06 and the wheels are all stained. I thought it was brake dust, when I tried to clean it it would not come off. :mad:

You can have them professionally polished or refinished, but that money may be better spent towards new wheels. A good claying may diminish the damage, but more than likely it is etched in. The easiest way to polish wheels yourself is the P21S Polishing Soap. If not find a good clay bar and get to work and maybe follow up with a polish. After ruining a set of volks, I am a big fan of using Wheel Sealant to avoid problems before they begin. See if any of your friends have some products you can use if you can.

On the wheel sealant, i have thought about doing the same but wouldn't a cleaner remove the sealant once you use it? Does that mean you apply the sealant everytime you clean? or do you then just use regular soap/water to clean to avoid removing the sealant every time you wash?