Handheld Steamer Cleaner for Wheels

[aNoodle]

Hey, all. I've been thinking about buying one of these handheld steamer deals to clean my alloy wheels. Different brands of these things seem to be all over the television and internet these days.

This particular one here advertises: "Blast away grease and grime from your engine, wheels, and chrome accessories." http://www.sewserg.com/products/abp02644-0086.html

What do you guys think? Are our alloy wheels actually painted and clear coated? Honestly, I'm not sure what that metal is exactly....do you think the steam would get all that road crap off the inside of the wheels...or would it destroy the surface of the wheel? It would be great to have the inside of the wheels clean again. Can it be used around the brake caliper and in the wheel wells? I don't know.

Any advice out there would be much appreciated!

 

[Tom]

I wondered the same, its tempting though. My main concern is that it might dull the paint due to the high heat.

 

[Kirby]

Don't know about the bimmers, but my Volvo alloys were clear coated. After about 14 years, they started to have problems sealing at the bead (where the tire meets the rim) because the clear coat had rubbed off from tire changes.

I'd be concerned that the heat and pressure might damage the finish of the wheels.

 

[Blake2043]

I also would be very scared that it would remove the clear coat and dull the color of the rims, just spray the rims down with turtle wax 2001 wheel cleaner, let it set then use a damp rag to wipe off all the brake dust. Spray and your finished, works everytime for me. Make sure the rims are not wet when you spray them with the turtle wax stuff, it come in a green bottle for like 3 dollars. Not bad if you ask me. I have taken my wheels off and cleaned the inside pretty good with this stuff, you just cant get it wet before you spray the stuff on.

 

[andreyiv]

The rims are painted or cleared, I am not sure which one it is but it sure is one of em. Since my rims are pretty old and I don't think the previous owner cleaned them much, they were in terrible condition, all this black stuff was not coming off at all, even a tooth brush with soap and a lot of scrubbing didn't do much. Then I tried Soft Scrub with Bleach and it did wonders. Even with just a paper towel it would take away the black burnt on stuff. I just scrubbed it and it came off. Then I took out the tooth brush and it was even easier. Didn't dull the finish at all, just made it brighter. Of course in one place I rubbed too much and the paint/clear dulled so I would say you'd have to be real careful to not to do it too much and I don't think it is a good idea to do it twice. Since I got the burnt on stuff I just wash the wheels every other day or at least try to and don't have that problem. This method might also dull chrome wheels or just put visible scratches on them. This Red Thunder stuff is also really good but I have no clue where to buy it, my neighboor works in a dealership and takes some from them.

 

[Kilomph]

P21S is amazing.

 

[Bryan330i]

I may try it on some harder to clean spots.

 

[gizzy]

If you have alloy wheels without any paint or chrome on them I would say go for it. But as our wheels appear to be painted.... Steam washers CAN strip paint and I have done this before. However, the steam cleaner that I accidently striped paint (John Deere tractor) with had a whole lot more power than that little thing.

 

[///M SPEED]

I have a little Hot Shot 21 (made by Black and Decker I think. I have to check) that looks almost exactly like the one pictured, but I have never tried using on my wheels and more than likely wont. I have used it for other things and have to say it is pretty much useless. Those little things don't work that great. For some small jobs they would be fine for, but for tough projects I wont even bother....

In hindsight, with the amount of power (or lack there of) it may not be bad for use on the wheels. They really don't create that much force/power just a lot of steam....