Wheels turning gold colored with harsh winter

[Do328j]

Anyone have some tips , 2011 X5 , stock wheels. We have had the coldest and second snowiest winter here in Michigan. My wheels are getting a bronze or gold color on them. Fronts worse than rears. I have a heated garage and wash it often. Soap and water don't even touch it. Can anyone recommend a product to remove this tarnish.

[dubsesd]

sonax wheel cleaner. it is PH balanced and non acidic. sprays on yellow foam and turns red/purple as it removes baked on dust and dirt

[blue dragon]

I use Sonax exclusively to clean my summer wheels (Rennen M8). Sonax will not remove the gold tarnish, you are looking at intensive claybar, or maybe IronX might work

[Do328j]

Ok, I'll try both. Thanks guys

[kskpsu]

Originally Posted by blue dragon

I use Sonax exclusively to clean my summer wheels (Rennen M8). Sonax will not remove the gold tarnish, you are looking at intensive claybar, or maybe IronX might work

+ 1, not a job for Sonax

[JJLEV]

It's funny, I live in the NE and I just noticed the same thing on my wheels while cleaning them yesterday. I rubbed like heck and nothing. I'll have to give the Sonax a try.

[Do328j]

I wonder if there is something new in the road salt counties are using. I have never had this before with my other bimmers

[Joey.Donatelli]

When you Google this there are tons of people with the same problem. A lot of people are thinking it has something to do with the chemicals that the automatic car washes are using now combined with the new salt compounds the DOT is using.

I'm interested to see if you can get them cleaned up.

Keep us posted.

[dubsesd]

this is from your brake pads and dust accumulating on the wheel and baking itself onto the wheel from the combination of water/salt and heat/cold. i never let it get bad so sonax cleans it just fine. the next step would be to use a lime acid cleaner. i wouldnt leave it on for longer than 3-5 minutes with brushing it after it sits. that stuff is potent and will remove it.

[denaliman]

Iron X and a toothbrush will get those clean.

[cb4]

Originally Posted by JJLEV

It's funny, I live in the NE and I just noticed the same thing on my wheels while cleaning them yesterday. I rubbed like heck and nothing. I'll have to give the Sonax a try.

Same here in Mass. Fronts are pretty bad. Rears not as bad. I think this is the result of the magnesium chloride that they put on the roads. Very bad this year and much worse than last.