cleaning up your 5 lug cast alum. "sport" bologna slicer wheels
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college student
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Toledo, OH
cleaning up your 5 lug cast alum. "sport" bologna slicer wheels
Most of the pics i've seen of the original mazda 5 lug rims are all nice and shiny, but that wasnt the case with mine. I tried all sorts of wheel cleaner and aluminum polish, but to no avail. What I found did work was Simple Green. I didnt dilute it at all, just sprayed it on and let it soak for 5 mins.. After that, the vast majority of the baked on dust and junk just wiped off. I also tried some carb cleaner... I figured if it cleaned out all the junk in my intake manifolds, it could only help my poor rims. It seemed to help as well, but i dont know if there are any harmful effects to it. Just a heads up to anyone with dirty rims... simple green 'em!
~Jesse
~Jesse
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 328
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From: Egg Harbor, WI USA
I keep meaning to try Simple Green. I've been using Castrol SuperClean which I think works great, however I'd recommend using gloves so you hands don't get all funky.
Does SG do the same thing to your skin?
Greg O.
Does SG do the same thing to your skin?
Greg O.
Dangerous Curves
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 112
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From: Dullsville
hmm.... well i've never used Castrol SuperClean, but when i use Simple Green it doesn't burn my hands or make them change colors. And i don't dilute it. It does remind me of the smell of black licorce.
-Jessica
-Jessica
Nothing to see here.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,255
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From: Jacksonville, FL
I was just going to post these—took the photo about an hour ago. I masked off the outer rim and lugs, cleaned the "spokes" and finally applied 3 coats of metallic paint. Looks like a nice new 2-piece set.
Professional Lurker
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Orlando
errr ummm....
Be careful with simple green on aluminum rims. This is from Simple Green:
I actually let it soak on my 86 Sport rims (non polished) for a good while and the oxidation makes them appear powdercoated. Not recommended for polished rims.
Be careful with simple green on aluminum rims. This is from Simple Green:
Aluminum - Is it safe to use Simple Green?
Simple Green products have been successfully and safely used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: Aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green or Crystal Simple Green can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times of Simple Green and Crystal Simple Green with unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green/Crystal Simple Green residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.
Simple Green products have been successfully and safely used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: Aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green or Crystal Simple Green can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times of Simple Green and Crystal Simple Green with unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green/Crystal Simple Green residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.
I actually let it soak on my 86 Sport rims (non polished) for a good while and the oxidation makes them appear powdercoated. Not recommended for polished rims.
Thread Starter
college student
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 263
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From: Toledo, OH
Well, of courseyou wouldnt leave it on long enough to dissolve your rims.... lol, thanks for the heads up though! If I ever get mine perfectly clean, i was going to clearcoat them... is that what you're supposed to do?
~Jesse
~Jesse
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Long Island, NY
The 89-91 Turbo and GTUs wheels are about 16.5 lbs for 16"*7" with a +40 offset. I think the 87 and the 88 wheels are about 24 lbs each. i've never head the weights ofd the stock 15" wheels, either 16-88, 89-90 or 91, but my 89 15" wheels are pretty light.
Greg
1989 RX-7 GXL
Greg
1989 RX-7 GXL
Zoom Zoom Boooom
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 987
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From: Freakmont, CA
Originally posted by LI FC Greg
The 89-91 Turbo and GTUs wheels are about 16.5 lbs for 16"*7" with a +40 offset. I think the 87 and the 88 wheels are about 24 lbs each. i've never head the weights ofd the stock 15" wheels, either 16-88, 89-90 or 91, but my 89 15" wheels are pretty light.
Greg
1989 RX-7 GXL
The 89-91 Turbo and GTUs wheels are about 16.5 lbs for 16"*7" with a +40 offset. I think the 87 and the 88 wheels are about 24 lbs each. i've never head the weights ofd the stock 15" wheels, either 16-88, 89-90 or 91, but my 89 15" wheels are pretty light.
Greg
1989 RX-7 GXL
My buddy and I weighed one before we took them to the powder coater and it came up 15 lbs. Can't beat that for a stock wheel.
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