Mk3 Cavalier Owners Club | Vauxhall Cavalier Dot Com

Has anyone found an effective way or removing the stubborn brown deposits that accumulate in the least accessible crannies of the standard SRi silver-grey wheel trims (the ventilation slots)? I think these are ABS. Someone told me that the stains are likely to be from heated brake pad particles. Even a combination of elbow grease + T-Cut is struggling and I suspect a bottle of the spray-on "wheel cleaners" would be a complete waste of money unless it contained a pretty powerful dissolver.

Autobrite Direct Purple Rain

I have some very effective Aldi alloy wheel cleaner.

I just spray it on, and let it soak into the dust for about 30 seconds.

Spray on a fresh layer of spray...

Then agitate in the slots with a moderately stiff bristled pot-brush or tooth brush...
"Not your wife's, if you wish to live to see tomorrow"!!!

Then wash and rinse off with your favourite car shampoo or just plain water.

As you have been told, this is dust from worn down brake pad material and ambient crud.

I would save the T-Cut for the paintwork. Or any bright work.

Tks for both tips. I wouldn't have risked Aldi's or anyone else's spray without outside endorsement since the krud seems to be very well entrenched, and ABS isn't alloy. I suspect that the Autobrite adds the extra sparkle. Colgate will no doubt appreciate the USP for their adverts.

On a similar hi-tec wavelength has anyone come up with a gizmo that is capable of cleaning the narrow slot along the top of the Cav tailgate? It seems to be designed to prevent access by any kind of brush or cloth - only a spray I suppose - and as a result a tough residue of dirt and mould (mine is "garaged" outside) accumulates over time, which only helps the potential rust build-up around the hinges.

Telegram Sam wrote:I suspect that the Autobrite adds the extra sparkle. Colgate will no doubt appreciate the USP for their adverts.

Autobrite products are designed with more than "extra sparkle" in mind. Purple Rain is a professional fallout and iron decontamination remover.


Link

I just realised that Iain must have the pre-facelift SRi plastic wheel trims.

Hmm - I have a few in my rubbish bin in the back yard.

so indeed alloy cleaner would not help..
but a pot brush would.

hmm - hatch / boot spoiler.
Same as any other really - lots of water and a micro-fibre cloth works for me.
When I can be arsed to wash the cars.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161251864396? ... 1436.l2649

I've tried them all. This one seems the best, I also use it on my SRi trims. Works brilliant.

Great I'll give it a try. I was wondering just how the other cleaners would work with my pre-facelift plastic trims both to remove the brown stuff and also to freshen up the rest of the surface. The brush might even also help get access to the slot above the tailgate "which the other parts can't reach" or whatever the jingo says . Must compare results next time I find myself in Rotherham.

Purple Rain, Bilt and Autoglym all work well.