Author Topic: Westley's Bleech White tire cleaner on uncoated Aluminum wheels. Big NO NO! (Read 1483 times)

68EFIvert · « **on:** July, 15, 2010, 07:52:05 PM »

I have used westley's in the past to clean rubber parts like hoses and tires with great success. I started to use some tire polish that has left a film on my tires that needs to come off before the big MCA show this weekend. I picked up some Westley's and sprayed it on before I washed my car thinking I'll give it a little time to work. When I got done with the body I started to wash the wheels and realized there was a few white dots and white runs. I thought it was interesting, that is until I tried to wash it off. The Westley's looks like it etched the wheels. I don't think it was on there long enough to do serious damage but I will have to give them a serious scrubbing with Mothers Aluminum polish and hope for the best.

I was pretty pissed at myself not to read the label before spraying. Right on the back highlighted by a box is do not use on magnesium, painted surfaces or aluminum because it may cause permanent damage. I guess if there is some pretty serious damage on some of the wheels I could look into having them chromed but I really don't want to spend the money on something like that. If the mother's doesn't work I have some Flitz that I will give a try. :cry

johnpro · « **Reply #1 on:** July, 15, 2010, 09:19:04 PM »

Wow, that really sucks. I only use the Bleach white on my raised white letters, where I have them. Scary has chromed Craiger S/S's on it, but I'll need to be careful with my daughter's car (and warn her), as she now has Radial T/A's and I believe older, unfinished aluminum wheels.

Thanks for the heads up. I never would have thought about it.

68EFIvert · « **Reply #2 on:** July, 15, 2010, 09:29:47 PM »

I can also give you a tip to clean it off.

Spend 2 hours with a Mother's polishing ball with Mag/Aluminum cleaner and they will look like new. I will likely hit them with Flitz tomorrow to finish the job. They really don't need the extra polish but I think flitz stays polished longer and is easier to clean up than mothers. I went through 3 batteries on my Milwaukie cordless drill.

buening · « **Reply #3 on:** July, 16, 2010, 04:25:11 AM »

That'll just make you wanna cry. Glad the polish took it out. While I had my valve covers off my engine, I decided to take a mothers power ball to them with some polish. The water spots etched too far into the aluminum and it wouldn't polish out. I may have to take some fine grit sandpaper or rubbing compound to get it out. Sucks.

I wonder if Zoops sealer or something would be worth looking into Darreld? Not cheap but it would hold the shine longer than a standard polish.

Starfury · « **Reply #4 on:** July, 16, 2010, 05:39:23 AM »

I'd never recommend using Bleche-white. It has some nasty stuff in it that isn't good for anything rubber. Most tire manufacturers recommend against it.