Which wheel cleaner is best for you?

[AlpineRaven]

G'day,
A few years ago I used to clean wheel rims with something that was powerful but it destroyed the paint (after all had to get the rim re-sprayed), but since I have company car for last 3 years and my wife's previous car had steelies, now she has Liberty with 17" alloy rims, inside the rims is black - covered in brake dust and it sh¡ts me so I want that cleaned up.
So this time I want to be careful rather destroy the paint, a lot of wheel cleaners has acid in them... Ive used CT18 and it does come off but the catch is it leaves white marks on the paint - so no good.

What do you use? (even for first time when its covered in black brake dust that could involve scabbing! - would rather spray on then hose off)
Cheers
AP

[zch91]

I am interested too.. Mine have a bit of tar that has stuck to them (from newly sealed roads I guess)

Hamish will tune in soon to give us the right answer

[AlpineRaven]

I am interested too.. Mine have a bit of tar that has stuck to them (from newly sealed roads I guess)

Hamish will tune in soon to give us the right answer

That is another thing I forgot to add - tar stuck on the rim as well.
Cheers
AP

[subyroo]

To remove the tar just soak a rag with Kerosene and hold it on the spot or wipe over the area leaving it really wet with the Kero and a minute or so later start rubbing the kero rag.

I did all the sills etc about 2 weeks ago on my 03 Forester this way.
Once a year I give the whole car a kero bath in this manner and then wash off and chamois.

To reduce the amount of brake dust on my alloys I wipe them over with Mr Sheen after they have dried from a wash. It doesn't completely stop the brake dust sticking to the alloys but it sure does reduce it.

[Corsair]

This is an acid product, but gives you more time than others to wash it off and doesn't leave marks if instructions are followed.

http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/produ ... el_cleaner

That being said, don't use a Gerni with it. Just a hose and do one wheel at a time.

[hamish_023]

Poor boys spray and rinse. Awesome wheel cleaner

That and a decent wheel brush.

[jdm rsk]

i have used this one and found it good also

http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/produ ... el_cleaner

[hamish_023]

i have used this one and found it good also

http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/produ ... el_cleaner

Same concept as IronX but I didn't find it bites nearly as much. Although much cheaper price

[Rome_BRZ]

i have used this one and found it good also

http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/produ ... el_cleaner

Same concept as IronX but I didn't find it bites nearly as much. Although much cheaper price

Stop changing your mind! Is it poor boys, PERL, or Iron X?!

[hamish_023]

i have used this one and found it good also

http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/produ ... el_cleaner

Same concept as IronX but I didn't find it bites nearly as much. Although much cheaper price

Stop changing your mind! Is it poor boys, PERL, or Iron X?!

I have never changed my mind.

Poor boys is a good wheel cleaner. Ironx X is a good wheel cleaner & decontaminator. Perl is a good plastics tyre shine.

I stock a lot of different brands and cleaners because not one company makes the best of everything

[Rome_BRZ]

I have never changed my mind.

Poor boys is a good wheel cleaner. Ironx X is a good wheel cleaner & decontaminator. Perl is a good plastics tyre shine.

I stock a lot of different brands and cleaners because not one company makes the best of everything

Haha I know I was just playing. So then is it Iron X to use before Poor Boys? Or Just use Iron X instead of Poor boys? Or use Poor boys regularly, and Iron X before putting a sealant on the wheels?

[hamish_023]

aha I know I was just playing. So then is it Iron X to use before Poor Boys? Or Just use Iron X instead of Poor boys? Or use Poor boys regularly, and Iron X before putting a sealant on the wheels?


On a regular weekly wash I just use the foam to wash down my wheels, but when they are filthy or now winter has hit I will use the poor boys.

You can just use IronX as wheel cleaner or after poorboys to decontaminate the Iron content on the wheels and paint.

Putting a standard wax on wheels is pointless. It needs to be a durable sealant which I recall you said you have fromFI

[Rome_BRZ]

aha I know I was just playing. So then is it Iron X to use before Poor Boys? Or Just use Iron X instead of Poor boys? Or use Poor boys regularly, and Iron X before putting a sealant on the wheels?


On a regular weekly wash I just use the foam to wash down my wheels, but when they are filthy or now winter has hit I will use the poor boys.

You can just use IronX as wheel cleaner or after poorboys to decontaminate the Iron content on the wheels and paint.

Putting a standard wax on wheels is pointless. It needs to be a durable sealant which I recall you said you have fromFI

I just used the last of my wheel cleaner from FI, I have to admit as much as I don't think their other products were worth it, their wheel cleaner was really good. Most of the time I could just spray the wheels, let it dwell, gerni off without any agitation and the wheels would be shiny as new. If they are REALLY dirty I would use the brush to agitate the wheel cleaner. Now that it's run out I might give poorboys a go!

[Alex@Moonlight]

We use a number of procedures on wheels, depending on condition.

1. Sonax Full Effect - impossible for us to find in Australia so we import it from the USA. It is by far the most effective wheel cleaner (and non-acidic which is crucial) i've ever used. It's a fluro green when sprayed on, and turns to red once it has lifted dirt. Sonax is perfect for generally dirty wheels.
2. Clay - Used clay bars (after having been applied to paint/glass) are absolutely fine to use on wheels. It helps with grime and road tar that has been just about cured onto wheels (typically in cracks and on the insides of the wheel).

As a tip, we always clean wheels by hand and immediately dry them by hand when clean. Due to the design of wheels, nothing at all beats an index finger to clean them properly. It is also important to ensure the wheel is fully dry before applying protectant.

Cheers

Alex

[SegR]

Are alkaline cleaners just as bad as acidic cleaners or are they not a problem? Whichever one I have sitting in my garage is an alkaline solution.