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Cleaning - Proteus alloys!

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 12:36 pm
by IanEV
I’ve spent the past 2 hours trying to give the car its first proper clean since it was delivered. The standard Proteus alloys can only be described as a nightmare to clean. Do I take it most people don’t clean their own cars or have other wheels? There are so many different surfaces to attack on Proteus that they take forever.

I was going to buy a second pair in black to put winter tyres on but I think I’ll opt for the Crystal wheels for the winter tyres or might even put the different wheels on the Summer tyres and keep the Proteus for winter tyres.

Anyone else found them tricky to clean and have any tips and tricks?

Re: Cleaning - Proteus alloys!

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 2:47 pm
by dezember
What do you mean by "hard"? Is it the brake dust won't come off? Won't a pressure washer just spray it all out?

Re: Cleaning - Proteus alloys!

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 4:50 pm
by IanEV
The rear wheels are fine due to the drum brakes. The disc brakes create the dust but it’s all the grooves that are difficult to reach especially the gutter type channel behind the spokes

Re: Cleaning - Proteus alloys!

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 4:51 pm
by IanEV

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Re: Cleaning - Proteus alloys!

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 5:12 pm
by awi8
Foam lance and snow foam will do the job for you👍

Re: Cleaning - Proteus alloys!

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 5:19 pm
by IanEV
Okay what type of snow foam and lance do I need please? I have a very old Karcher pressure washer with no ability to change settings does that make a difference?

Re: Cleaning - Proteus alloys!

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 5:44 pm
by awi8
I have a base model Nilfisk with only on and off button 😂 I use DR Dirt foam lance with it. It's super easy to use and works great with the alloy wheels also. You should try different snow foams to find best for you. My favorite is "ValetPro advanced neutral snow foam".

Re: Cleaning - Proteus alloys!

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 9:22 pm
by IanEV
Ok thanks, I’ve ordered a snow lance and some foam - I’ll give it a go

Re: Cleaning - Proteus alloys!

Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 11:13 pm
by HarryHuk
IanEV wrote: Sun Jun 12, 2022 12:36 pm I’ve spent the past 2 hours trying to give the car its first proper clean since it was delivered. The standard Proteus alloys can only be described as a nightmare to clean. Do I take it most people don’t clean their own cars or have other wheels? There are so many different surfaces to attack on Proteus that they take forever.

I was going to buy a second pair in black to put winter tyres on but I think I’ll opt for the Crystal wheels for the winter tyres or might even put the different wheels on the Summer tyres and keep the Proteus for winter tyres.

Anyone else found them tricky to clean and have any tips and tricks?

I've had a set of winter wheels for my current and previous car (Octavia estates 16"), and change them over myself.
But I'm put off doing the same for the Enyaq because of the size of the wheels 19", (lifting and storing) and the weight of the car (over 2ton).
Do you change the wheels yourself or get a garage to do it?

I'm looking at getting all season winter tyres (3PMSF), which annoyingly weren't available as an option.
I know they are a compromise, and I'm not sure how they'd affect road noise and consumption. Thoughts?

Re: Cleaning - Proteus alloys!

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 5:58 am
by IanEV
I was planning on changing them myself. Jacking the car won’t be an issue. My campervan is 3.5 t and lifts the same as a normal car. I take your point regarding the lifting/ storage of the wheels though.

I had all season tyres on our Octavia (5 years) and full winter tyres on our two cars previous to the Octavia.(7 years).

Without question winter tyres are far better in the snow in my experience which is why I’ll be buying a set again. Our Octavia (1.0 Tsi) was poor on snow even with All Season tyres. It couldn’t climb hills if they had snow of them.

With the Enyaq being rear wheel drive, I’m expecting snow driving will be more challenging than the Octavia and it’s not something I’d want to risk to All Season tyres.