A Tough One

Ez-Off Oven cleaner.

 

Since you're considering repainting have you tried carburetor cleaner? Just don't let it sit to long.

 

The glue is gone and what you have left is a shadow caused by the sun/dirt . It has been my experience that this will not come off. I always have my wheels balanced now with the hammer on weights on the inside. I think you now need to refinish the wheels in order to get the stains out.

 

"Maybe this is more of a Martha Stewart question .. but "

lol, what would Martha do.

 

Recommend a particular wheel cleaning business, and then sell some stock in said business

 

He says it's residual adhesive...I have used these weights but have never been unable to just rub off the remaining goo.....

If use something as strong as acetone or laquer thinner you are well on the way to a refinish, if you are not quick and careful.

 

I feel your pain...I never was able to get it off on my 328 either...must have been the factory way of installing the weights, since by the time I bought it, all the weights were on the inside of the rim.

 

If the wheels are strictly pure magnesium alloy, lacquer thinner/acetone/toluene will not hurt it., as organic solvents typically dont react with metals. And if the stuff is INDEED adhesive, these solvents should remove the gunk. BUT IF the mag alloy wheels have some sort of factory coating on them (clear epoxy, etc), and some of you experts should know this, then do not use these aggressive solvents, although, Chloroform and related solvents are the only ones I know that will dissolve epoxies. If the stain is an oxide of the magnesium, no solvent will clean it. As far as easy off, mostly lye, and v corrosive, but might work. I dont know. If you want to try it, as fellow chatter suggested above, rinse off profusely with tap water, not DI, then with DI. Do NOT let easy off sit on it for more than necessary!!

Good Luck, man

May or may not be relevant, but Chloroform is not as hard as you think to get....

 

try polishing it off with a good polish...

 

Tell the judges they came that way from the factory and challenge them to prove you wrong.

ken

 

I had all 4 wheels off the car today and solved this same problem with a spray gum and adhesive remover and a plastic wax scraper used for skis. The scraper did not damage the wheel surface and the wheel weight residue is completely gone. I rinsed with water when done.

 

Good idea!

I would think if all else fails, using a very fine grit wet sandpaper followed by polish. Treat it like paint on the body of the car. I never could get confirmation on my 328 wheels if it had clear coat layers or if the paint had clear in it. Either way, should be able to restore that way I'd think, right? The detail guys should chime in, they'd know better.

Jeff

 

THANK YOU! I've been waiting for the last two days for someone to answer this topic seriously. I have the same issue and have not wanted to touch it for fear of ruining my otherwise near perfect wheels.

 

If you go to an autobody supply/paint store they will carry a large round eraser material, shaped like a large polishing stone that you mount in your drill. Body shops use it to remove stickers, tape graphis etc. They work great and won't damage finishes if you use some basic care. They are cheap too. PB : )

 

This is the 21st century - don't stoop to 19th century farm type recipes. 3M 6040 Adhesive Remover is good on all surfaces except Lacquer and itself leaves no residue. You should have some around for general useage.
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