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I need a brush or something to clean my OEM alloys...

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by ES44AC, Jul 20, 2012.

  1. ES44AC

    ES44AC C.A.U.S

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    Normally I can use a toilet bowl mop from True Value to clean alloys. The 'mop' has a plastic handle and a head made of some synthetic stuff. There is nothing there to scratch the wheels and the head never stays dirty from brake dust, costs all of about $3.

    Here is what I am using now Toilet Bowl Swabs and Caddy for Toilet Bowl and Urinal Cleaning

    But on the Prius alloys the mop head can't get between the rim and the backing plate for the disc brake. That's why I am trying to find what others use, in lieu of taking the wheels off to clean the inside of the rim.

    TIA to all
     
    #1 ES44AC, Jul 20, 2012
  2. Mr Incredible

    Mr Incredible Chance favors the prepared mind.

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    I use one of these: Silverline Wheel Cleaning Brush 250311

    Got mine at WallyMart, though.

    I have a curved, handled stiff brush for the tires. I have a soft brush for the face of the wheel and as much as I can get of the holes. For each hole I stick in that longer brush and clean as much of the inner portion of the wheel as I can. This gets most all of it. There's probably a longer brush that would get all parts of the inside, but I'm not so anal as to take them off each wash and get every tiny bit of the back.
     
    #2 Mr Incredible, Jul 20, 2012
  3. Mr Incredible

    Mr Incredible Chance favors the prepared mind.

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    [​IMG]
     
    #3 Mr Incredible, Jul 20, 2012
  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Took off the wheel covers and I hate that deep groove around the rim where the covers snapped into. All the brake dust accumulates in that groove and it's hard to get out without scrubbing at it.
     
    #4 xliderider, Jul 20, 2012
  5. ES44AC

    ES44AC C.A.U.S

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    Thanks I will check it out, there is a Walmart near me, I never go there but will make an exception!
     
    #5 ES44AC, Jul 21, 2012
  6. MG6

    MG6 New Member

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    Looks like a pretty good brush cleaner. I wonder how well it will be to really clean dust brake out over time as it tend to have a oil film overtime.
     
    #6 MG6, Jul 21, 2012
  7. Mr Incredible

    Mr Incredible Chance favors the prepared mind.

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    Part of it is getting the right stiffness and shape of brush. The others are keeping at it regularly and using an effective auto detergent. Elbow grease applied as required.
     
    #7 Mr Incredible, Jul 21, 2012
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I feed a sponge in there, then run it around on the inside, with my finger tips. Not every wash though. Since I'm swapping for snow tires yearly I can clean them good (and wax) while they're off. ;)
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Jul 21, 2012
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