Projects Cleaning backside of aluminum wheels

Have a couple of (split) aluminum wheels that I would like to use, the backings have a black crust on them possibly from years of road tar.

Been spot testing with lacquer thinner, oven cleaner, paint remover, Goo Gone, Acetone, none of them appear to be effective.

Have any homebrew recommendations?

Thanks

 

I think Super Tricks are off topic here...but I just scrub them with Dawn, and put them back on the road to get dirty again.

 

Thanks...a simple I don't know would have worked

 

This stuff works well on brake dust and grime. On the backsides of wheels, I let it soak in and scrub with a stiff brush. Keep it wet, wash off with water.

 

Thanks...I see Oreilly Auto has "bug and tar" remover...may try both of them.

 

Don`t get bleach white on the shiny part, it'll ruin it.

 

Cleaning the backside? Bidet?

Chris

 

Found this...they say no gasoline...but I am going try it:

https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/how-to-get-tar-off-your-car

 

Blasting cabinet would work.

 

Simple Green

 

My daily has Emmitts (22's) on it and the back of the wheels are visible so every spring I clean and detail them. I find WD-40 will cut through the road tar if it is sets for a bit and it doesn't mar the polished aluminum on the front. Then a cursory coat of mothers or Flitz with a Flitz ball.

 

High pressure, pressure wash. Take them to some place that steam cleans truck engines.

 

Old-school elbow grease and a wire brush . Then the fancy stuff.

 

If you want it super clean then oven cleaner (diluted sodium hydroxide). But don't get any on the decorative surface.

 

I use alumibrite... it's used to clean aluminum before you weld....also there's a cleaner that boat detailers use to clean pontoons that have been sitting in the water at marina's... best to put it on with a brush... you have to make sure you rinse it well with hose water and brush it when you rinse... makes aluminum look brand new... then there a stuff called shark hide that you can brush on that keeps them looking new... I have some out back, come by and I'll help you...

 

also, I would gorilla tape over the lug hole before you start,

 

Bosh Chemical Alumabright Aluminum Cleaner & Brightener & Restorer (2 Gallon Case): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

 

Taking them apart would make it a lot easier , The center piece where the lugs go is separate ( may be cracked , they often where ) and you can just reseal them with silicon . It has been decades but I have polished a few in a past life and you had to disassemble them and have the bolts chromed.

 

So I would take them apart and put them in the parts washer with varisol and a Scotch brite pad and go from there.

 

Goop hand cleaner is a good start, won't mess up aluminum and if the goo is petroleum based it will start breaking it down.

I actually use it on daily driver paint to soften bug and grease during washing wax.