Chameleon, that is a very good idea. I used that stuff even though the rims are painted and it makes the rims look like new again without scratching the rim paint, I think it also has a protevtive coating on it to prevent oxidization. Anyway great info!

 

Chameleon, your offer is absolutely appreciated. I will be PMing you soon. Thanks and we will get this worked out.

 

Senseny,
Sounds good. They will look good as new when we get done.

 

Chameleon, As long as you show me how to do it, I will make sure they stay that way. Can I bring some beer, pizza, etc? This week is totally crazy, but at your convenience I will swing over sometime next week. My wife has the car in Cherry Hill every day. Maybe I can pick her up and swing over. Thanks again, I really want to be able to do this right myself (in the future) and am looking for you to guide me, not do something for me. Tell me what to bring.

 

I just PMed you. Talk to you soon.

 

After readfing this thread, I had a look at my wheels. They've been rotated so the former fronts are now on the back.

I noted some pitting.

My cleaning philosophy falls between the original poster and a once-a-night dustoff -- depending on weather, once-a-week hand wash of the car using Armor-All car wash solution. Wheels are thoroughly cleaned using the same solution as is used on the rest of the car.

One thing to note: the pitting is not even. The pitting seems to be present on the rim between the spokes and only in three of these areas. One is only half pitted, stopping midway between spokes abruptly.

Could this be a clearcoat application issue?

 

It would be nice to see some photos of this 'pitting', can anyone with a pitting issue post some pics?

 

My issues are only between the spokes as well, the spokes and center, which get as dusty as the rest, cleaned up nicely. Pics are not coming from me anytime soon as I have camera issues. Maybe one of the other people with these issues can. I guarantee if several people who care enough about their cars to post here have this problem, many "average" owners also have the problem or will in the near future.

 

You cleaned the wheels only four or five times in 7000 miles? Jesus.

I clean my wheels EVERY SINGLE TIME I wash my car. It's an integral part of washing my car. I just use an old dirty over-sized sponge and the car wash liquid (in fact, I use that same sponge to clean the tailpipes). Brake dust comes off pretty easily.

 

Senseny....

Thanks for the post. In all honesty, I had absolutely no idea that brake dust was so corrosive OR that the chemicals in the spray wheel cleaner I was using may contribute to accelerated corrosion of the wheel surface. I knew they were toxic, but not corrosive. NOW I know.

I have been using McGuires Wheel cleaner initiallly, followed by a total car wash and wax, including the rims. I haven't noticed any pitting as yet, but will certainly pay more attention to those areas now.

Regardless of negative responses you may receive from your posts, I would encourage you to continue using this forum in the manner for which it was intended, and that is the SHARING OF INFORMATION. What some may consider lame information, others may find useful. Rumor has it, this forum was created because all of us share a common interest...the RX-8.

 

Senseny, thanks for the post. I was not aware that the brake dust can cause pitting. Thanks a lot for the heads up.

 

Senseny, this was a good post indeed. I'm a bit mechanically challenged so all the info the better.

 

There are some pics here:
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=26046

 

NO biggie guys. When the rims get worn out, just take them to get polished or refinished. If you can spend 30k on a car, then you can shell out the money to have your rims refinished when thet get beaten up. I understand the analness when spending this much money on a car, but I am trying to get myself to just enjoy the car, and not sit in the internet complaining and getting upset. Everyone can do what they want, but I'm gonna enjoy this car, and trade it in in a few years for an upgraded one.

 

I'm going to keep mine for a long time and keep upgrading it.

 

so senseny, did the turtle wax help? i notice pitting on mine after about 3700 miles and have been cleaning them every time i get gas, as well as during regular washings/waxings