Winter is over!!

Posted by: 72chevman

Winter is over!! - 03/25/10 08:11 PM

I put on my summer wheels today, so winter is over here in Kansas. The bad news is that my Firehawk GT tires had 5000 miles in the position they were in when I took them off last fall. I rotated front to back and back criss crossed to front. They sound like the all terrain tires on my old Jeep. Hopefully they will get quiet in a few days as break in to the new corner. I don't remember them doing this last year, but they only had 3000 miles and a fresh alignment.
Posted by: jlindahl2571

Re: Winter is over!! - 03/25/10 10:35 PM

So you run bullits in the winter time? I just bought some and kinda regret selling my stock rims to use in the winter. Seems like they'd get destroyed and pitted from the salt and stuff..is that the case?
Posted by: palsut

Re: Winter is over!! - 03/26/10 09:38 AM

It is not over yet!! laugh

In Thursday morning, I went to work with my polo shirt. It is sunny with 67 temp. After 13 hours of working. I exit the door and saw heavy snow crap? I just like what the hell!!??? Weather never mentioned it about snow. Thank god for car heater because I don't have a winter coat as I thought it will be warm. Can't believe it is dropping THAT fast.

I'm glad I don't have to deal with winter tires. I'm keeping my car in garage rest of winter season to Spring season. Easy for me. wink
Posted by: ChrisGT

Re: Winter is over!! - 03/26/10 12:48 PM

Its snowing in my front yard right now... lol
Posted by: '01 GT

Re: Winter is over!! - 03/26/10 01:03 PM

It's 52* and sunny here! laugh
Posted by: ChrisGT

Re: Winter is over!! - 03/26/10 01:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by '01 GT:
It's 52* and sunny here! laugh
Whats your addy so I can send you your cookie as*hole lmao
Posted by: 72chevman

Re: Winter is over!! - 03/26/10 05:33 PM

It is 64 and sunny right now here.
My summer wheels are unclearcoated polished aluminum so yes, the salt absolutely tears up the finish. After the first snow storm, I washed the wheels and about died they way they looked. I found some 07 Mustang take offs cheap so I bought them. I spent over an hour on each rim with a buffing wheel to bring back the shiny glass smooth surface. I now protect them with a product called Rejex which I was introduced to by an acquaintence who restores airplanes. It is a type of sealer for aluminum, chrome etc. I now use my car wash soap and wask mit to get brake dust off them, no harsh chemicals needed.

http://www.rejex.com/rejex.html
Posted by: jlindahl2571

Re: Winter is over!! - 03/27/10 12:40 PM

So how do you think true bullitts will do in the winter time? I'm afraid they're going to get destroyed and kind of regret buying them/not keeping my stockers.

Will using this rejex stuff or something like it protect against the salt and stuff?
Posted by: 72chevman

Re: Winter is over!! - 03/27/10 03:12 PM

What do you mean by true bullits? The 07 Mustang rims I have are clear coated (including the silver lip) so a quality car polish protects them well. I never use wheel cleaners on my cars as they use harsh chemicals which remove polish. I just wash my cars often so no need for them.
Posted by: jorgs_7

Re: Winter is over!! - 03/27/10 03:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jlindahl2571:
So how do you think true bullitts will do in the winter time? I'm afraid they're going to get destroyed and kind of regret buying them/not keeping my stockers.

Will using this rejex stuff or something like it protect against the salt and stuff?
My bullits did fine through winter.

All you need to worry about is chrome throughout winter, chances are your bullits are painted.
Posted by: jlindahl2571

Re: Winter is over!! - 03/27/10 09:36 PM

I meant 'true' bullits thinking your bullit take offs were different somehow. Chevman, do you just use rejex every couple of months?

Jorgs-
Yeah they seem painted or have some type of coating. I was just worried about the paint or coating pitting from the salt and grime in the winter. They're '05 bullits, so I'm not really exactly sure if they're painted, clear coated, etc. Any help?
Posted by: 72chevman

Re: Winter is over!! - 03/27/10 10:09 PM

05 Bullits are factory clearcoated, so a simple wash with dishsoap like dawn will remove all grease, grime and wax. Then polish with some sort of cleaner wax. Rejex is not needed on painted surfaces but can be used. It is better used on metal surfaces that typical waxes/protectants can not be used. Like I said before, wax your wheels just like your car, then wash them frequently during the winter and NEVER use wheel cleaners or high pressure car wash hoses up close. The HOT water and high pressure will strip the wax. If the weather gets above, polish them again during the winter.

I use Rejex once in the spring after I polsh my good wheels, and again when I clean them before I store them for the winter. Rejex must be applied and then cured out of the elements for 12 hours, which means garage or car port.
Posted by: jlindahl2571

Re: Winter is over!! - 03/28/10 05:30 PM

What's wrong with the wheel cleaners?

So what do you suggest? You threw a bunch of information at me there. Just clean, polish, wax, and wash off with water every now and then?
Posted by: 72chevman

Re: Winter is over!! - 03/28/10 06:06 PM

In order for wheel cleaners to be able to get grime and brake dust off with out using a brush like their commercials show, they use strong soaps and chemicals that will strip off any polish or wax that protects your wheels and keeps them shiny. While you are washing your car, spray the wheels everytime you are near them with your hose which will start to loosen the grime. When you are done washing your car, use a soft bristle brush to dip in the soapy bucket and clean your wheels. It really is not that hard to do if you do it every couple of weeks, especially if you waxed them.

How I clean & protect my painted wheels:
Whenever I rotate, use green scotchbrite & softsoap to clean the inside of the wheel.
Wash front with dish soap (I use Dawn) and soft bristle brush.
Dry and apply any quality car wax/polish.(I use Meguiars NXT)
Apply polish or wax everytime I polish my car.

My polished wheels are cleaned the same way, but I use Mothers aluminum polish followed by Rejex afterwards. I do this just before I put them of for the spring. and about 15K miles later when they come off for winter.
Posted by: jlindahl2571

Re: Winter is over!! - 03/28/10 08:44 PM

Alright thanks, wouldn't car wash soap be better for this? I thought regular hand/dish soap was bad for the paint/clear coat.
Posted by: 72chevman

Re: Winter is over!! - 03/29/10 10:55 PM

Car wash soap will not strip wax/polish. Dish soap will strip wax/polish and all the dirt and grease off for a clean start. I even use it when I detail a car that is nasty. Dawn gives you a clean naked base surface to start a good shine with. It will not hurt the paint, it just strips off all protectants (wax/polish) Think about it, if you car soak your hands in it for an hour as you do dishes, how will it hurt paint?
Posted by: jlindahl2571

Re: Winter is over!! - 04/01/10 08:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by 72chevman:
Car wash soap will not strip wax/polish. Dish soap will strip wax/polish and all the dirt and grease off for a clean start. I even use it when I detail a car that is nasty. Dawn gives you a clean naked base surface to start a good shine with. It will not hurt the paint, it just strips off all protectants (wax/polish) Think about it, if you car soak your hands in it for an hour as you do dishes, how will it hurt paint?
Alright, and no damage to the clear coat?