Before and after

[malcolm]

While I'm waiting for my head to come back (cylinder one that is) I thought I'd have my annual wheel clean. A quick before and after:

[PeterCrespin]

A born salesman.....Didn't I see you at some country fair selling lead balls used to let Spitfires and Hamilton's F1 car run on paraffin?

Now if you'd showed us the cleaner outer side first and the less sparkly inner side second, would there have been such a marked contrast? On the other hand, if you were using those pix to explain to the missuss how you need a jet washer, hot air gun dryer and a buffing machine for the garage - carry on.

[malcolm]

Damn you sir, spotted my trick! Still fairly impressive I reckon, and I'm sticking to it. Useful for demonstrating to the wife how hard I've been working.

[malcolm]

Seeing as Peter was so diligent in spotting my deception, I thought I'd fess up and post the inside of the wheel - and it is a front wheel, so more affected by the discs.




Approval now Peter?

[chrisfell]

I’d tell the tyre fitter to use stick on weights rather than clip on weights, which will remove the chrome and nickel plating leading to a rusty rim. Only the spokes are SS on my car.

And I’d then dress the tyres to enhance the newly spangly wheels, before driving the car along a muddy lane.........

[mgcjag]

Malcom..are you cheating......the 1st dirty photo is of a different wheel....the weights are stick on

[malcolm]

Not cheating this time! This is the other front wheel. Was exactly the same on the inside as the first front wheel as you would imagine. First one back in garage.
My G you're a suspicious lot!

[AshM]

An amusing stream. I love the way this forum goes from deeply detailed technical opinion to banter on wheel cleaning.

But the tyre dressing comment made me think. Does anyone have any magic tips for tyres?

As a self-declared weirdo who loves an hour on a wheel clean I am never able to compliment it with a really good looking tyre.

Any thoughts?

[Series1 Stu]

Shoe polish?

[Robbiee]

I agree
Black shoe polish is perfect
I also restored my 57 yr old dash front and top black vinyl
In the same way...far easier and more satisfying than relaxing it!
Robbie

[Robbiee]

*replacing...damn this predictive texting!

[Series1 Stu]

Smells good too.

[chrisfell]

Re tyre dressing....

I’ve used Halfords own brand, Meguars, Autoglym. All easy to apply, makes the tyre uniform black and slightly glossy. But it really accentuates the wheel, or more precisely not being dirty or marked or faintly grey the tyre doesn’t detract from the clean and shiney wheel.
For local snow winning finish dress the tyre both sides. And for serious concours winning finish, clean the treads and dress them too. (No, me neither! But I know someone who does.)

[Simon P]

But the tyre dressing comment made me think. Does anyone have any magic tips for tyres?

For us polishing-obsessed weirdos, that's the equivalent of asking Angus to give away his secret for getting petrol tanks to drop in first time without losing the skin off your knuckles....

[AshM]

Thanks all - some tips to try there!

Cheers
Ash

[PeterCrespin]

That reminds me of story about a friend who worked on someone's very early XJS and later borrowed it for a summer evening's drive with his wife. They turned up at the guy's house to collect the S and my friend was gratified to see it had been cleaned inside and out to look the part.

They got in and drove away in the bright red car as the guy waved them off. It did not go well. As they emerged from the sleek coupe at their destination, she in a posh summer frock and he in Chinos I'm pretty sur I have that the right way around, they each noticed the other's back and bum badly marked. Turned out they had been on black shoe-polished upholstery for more than an hour....

[1954Etype]

But the tyre dressing comment made me think. Does anyone have any magic tips for tyres?

For us polishing-obsessed weirdos, that's the equivalent of asking Angus to give away his secret for getting petrol tanks to drop in first time without losing the skin off your knuckles....

It’s simple, I just employ people who skin their knuckles.

[AshM]