cleaning alloy wheels

[98sport]

My 98 Sport has the alloy wheels with the slots and small holes, they look real nice but are difficult to clean. The previous owner was not real fussy about them, and there is baked on brake dust in some of the holes, mostly on just two, which I assume were the front wheels. Anybody have a sure fire method of cleaning them? I've tried several brands of wheel cleaners and a plastic brush, with limited success. A friend told me to try Easy-off oven cleaner, but I'm kinda afraid it will take off the clearcoat finish. Any thoughts?

[Gravesubject]

Oven cleaner!? I'd be much more worried about melting the tires than the clearcoat. Do you have access to a pressure washer? That would be my suggestion. Take the wheels off the truck (to avoid damage to the hubs/brakes), soak the crud really well for several hours with a penetrating solvent, then blast it off with a pressure washer.

[tenclub05]

Ive used this engine and tire degreaser but i can only buy it around the Los Angeles area at PSI Pressure Washer Systems. Its a really strong degreaser. I just spray some on and wait a couple minutes and i wash it off. There are some good degreasers out there though. I would try anything pink. Pink seems to work the best for me.