Wheel Cleaner

IK6SPEED · 07-15-2018, 08:38 PM

I am sure there are about 10,000 posts on this, but let me give the exact scenario.

A Detailer I used several times would spray something on the wheels about 60 seconds before they started with the car soap from a pressure washer.

Always took every bit of the dirt, grime and whatever from every single place on the wheels. Never found out what it was.

Wondering if anyone knew of something that worked this well on melting off the dirt without getting into the wheel with a brush?

DarkStarBimmer · 07-16-2018, 09:20 AM

IRON X it smells awful but works great.

Tribalpinoy911 · 07-16-2018, 09:27 AM

Sonax wheel cleaner does this.

IK6SPEED · 07-16-2018, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribalpinoy911

Sonax wheel cleaner does this.

Full Effect or Cleaner Plus?

Sanelko · 07-16-2018, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Full Effect or Cleaner Plus?

The full effect. Great wheel cleaner.

Tribalpinoy911 · 07-16-2018, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanelko

Quote:

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Full Effect or Cleaner Plus?

The full effect. Great wheel cleaner.

+1

1QuikWS6 · 07-16-2018, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Full Effect or Cleaner Plus?

I use the Sonax Cleaner Plus. It is the newest formulation, 30% stronger than the Full Effect and works much faster

I use it 1X/wk, removes all brake dust, dirt, any discoloration with just a garden hose - I would guess a pressure washer would be even more effective

a803sgo · 07-16-2018, 03:53 PM

bilt hamber

FaRKle! · 07-16-2018, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribalpinoy911

Sonax wheel cleaner does this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanelko

The full effect. Great wheel cleaner.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1QuikWS6

I use the Sonax Cleaner Plus. It is the newest formulation, 30% stronger than the Full Effect and works much faster

I use it 1X/wk, removes all brake dust, dirt, any discoloration with just a garden hose - I would guess a pressure washer would be even more effective

Not for me it doesn't. I use Sonax Plus all over my wheels (and Sonax Multistar APC on the tires), spread it around with my brush, then pressure wash it off, and it definitely won't get absolutely everything off. I usually go over the wheel with a microfiber towel after to really get it all clean (after I blow all the water off with a MetroVac).

Plus definitely works better than Full Effect or Car Guys' wheel cleaner though. I like the spray nozzle on it. It's much better at getting a wider area with even spray. A bottle doesn't last very long though...

louielouie · 07-16-2018, 06:15 PM

Iron X is quite good as a cleaner for the wheels, but I still use a degreaser (SuperClean) in a 3:1 with distilled water to take the browning out of my tires. And you gotta scrub for the tires.

I'm curious if there's a 1 spray fits all as well but to remove/stop corrosion from industrial runoff and pull the browning from the tires is a tall order.

IK6SPEED · 07-16-2018, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

Not for me it doesn't. I use Sonax Plus all over my wheels (and Sonax Multistar APC on the tires), spread it around with my brush, then pressure wash it off, and it definitely won't get absolutely everything off. I usually go over the wheel with a microfiber towel after to really get it all clean (after I blow all the water off with a MetroVac).

Plus definitely works better than Full Effect or Car Guys' wheel cleaner though. I like the spray nozzle on it. It's much better at getting a wider area with even spray. A bottle doesn't last very long though...

Not positive.

Ugh.

rolltidef32 · 07-19-2018, 10:30 AM

I use P21S Gel cleaner for wheels and tires; buy it by the gallon and it lasts all year. I wait for 25% sales on Autogeek.net which happens at least once per quarter.

Sonar Plus does work great. I would not use Iron X for regular wheel cleaning, as it is a waste, costly, and smells terrible as someone pointed out. I use Iron X before twice annual paint corrections.

I've never found a cleaner where I didn't need to follow up with a cheap microfiber towel. Just be sure that whatever you use is PH neutral, which means stay away from crap at Autozone unless you find Griots at Advance Auto.

IK6SPEED · 07-19-2018, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LobB

Dragon's breath.

Dragon's Breath seems to be the only one listed above that all YouTube demos do not show any manual intervention with a brush or towel.

Then again, getting it USA from EU certainly runs the price up.

louielouie · 07-19-2018, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkStarBimmer

IRON X it smells awful but works great.

I tried Decon from Chemical Guys as well - it smells wayy worse and doesn't work nearly as well. You should give it a try because now I think Iron X smells good, hahahah.

vanbmw · 07-20-2018, 01:46 PM

Did the wheel dirt/grime turn RED and run off? If it did then it is something like SONAX or similar. If it didn't then they may have used a strong degreaser. I have a buddy that uses a strong degreaser on his wheels and it certainly takes everything off however I have read he label and it is some bad strong stuff! I read the warnings and I wouldn't use it on my wheels. However, he uses it on his wheels (Porsche Cayman) and figures since he rinses it off quickly he won't have problems. His car is 6-7 years old and his wheels haven't had any issues but it still doesn't make me want to switch to that stuff.

evdok · 07-20-2018, 02:06 PM

This is good..

IK6SPEED · 07-20-2018, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanbmw

Did the wheel dirt/grime turn RED and run off? If it did then it is something like SONAX or similar. If it didn't then they may have used a strong degreaser. I have a buddy that uses a strong degreaser on his wheels and it certainly takes everything off however I have read he label and it is some bad strong stuff! I read the warnings and I wouldn't use it on my wheels. However, he uses it on his wheels (Porsche Cayman) and figures since he rinses it off quickly he won't have problems. His car is 6-7 years old and his wheels haven't had any issues but it still doesn't make me want to switch to that stuff.

Most all turn some shade of red in YouTube demonstrations.

What is the stronger stuff called?

IK6SPEED · 07-20-2018, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evdok

This is good..

Demo shows brushing needed and recommends only for light dirt. They suggest their Dragon’s Breath product for heavily soiled wheels.

evdok · 07-20-2018, 03:20 PM

I never let my wheels get black/heavy brake dust, but I can say medium dirty wheels left for a week odd come up clean & I mean no need to touch the wheel with anything.

vooonoo · 07-20-2018, 03:28 PM

Do you know what color the liquid was? Honestly it's probably a diluted solution of Dawn, bc it's cheaper than them buying wheel cleaner

i've used this and it works pretty well https://www.amazon.com/Best-Wheel-Ti.../dp/B014V9GFJU

rjd598 · 07-20-2018, 07:18 PM

there is no such thing as a 100% hands free wheel cleaner.

either your wheels were relatively clean to begin with and the detailer just spray wheel cleaner on to get some light dirt off or you might have not watched his whole process.

i'm not trying to rain on your parade i'm just saying ask any detailer and they will agree there is no such thing as a true no agitating wheel cleaner on the market.

IK6SPEED · 07-20-2018, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjd598

there is no such thing as a 100% hands free wheel cleaner.

either your wheels were relatively clean to begin with and the detailer just spray wheel cleaner on to get some light dirt off or you might have not watched his whole process.

i'm not trying to rain on your parade i'm just saying ask any detailer and they will agree there is no such thing as a true no agitating wheel cleaner on the market.

They were filthy...and I’ve seen several times.

07-15-2018, 08:38 PM	#1
IK6SPEED Banned 4486 Rep 10,473 Posts Drives: BMW M3 / AH3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Cali iTrader: (23)	Wheel Cleaner I am sure there are about 10,000 posts on this, but let me give the exact scenario. A Detailer I used several times would spray something on the wheels about 60 seconds before they started with the car soap from a pressure washer. Always took every bit of the dirt, grime and whatever from every single place on the wheels. Never found out what it was. Wondering if anyone knew of something that worked this well on melting off the dirt without getting into the wheel with a brush?
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07-16-2018, 09:20 AM	#2
DarkStarBimmer Colonol Forbin 208 Rep 338 Posts Drives: 17' BSM 330i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Phoenix, Arizona iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 330i [0.00]	IRON X it smells awful but works great.
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07-16-2018, 09:27 AM	#3
Tribalpinoy911 First Lieutenant 93 Rep 397 Posts Drives: F34 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: NV iTrader: (0)	Sonax wheel cleaner does this.
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07-16-2018, 03:53 PM	#8
a803sgo Captain 170 Rep 616 Posts Drives: BMW 320D M-SPORT (F30) Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Kent, UK iTrader: (0)	bilt hamber
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07-16-2018, 06:15 PM	#10
louielouie Major 535 Rep 1,043 Posts Drives: '18 F80 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (13)	Iron X is quite good as a cleaner for the wheels, but I still use a degreaser (SuperClean) in a 3:1 with distilled water to take the browning out of my tires. And you gotta scrub for the tires. I'm curious if there's a 1 spray fits all as well but to remove/stop corrosion from industrial runoff and pull the browning from the tires is a tall order.
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07-19-2018, 10:30 AM	#12
rolltidef32 National Championship #17 and Counting! 793 Rep 1,508 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW i3s and 2019 X5 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	I use P21S Gel cleaner for wheels and tires; buy it by the gallon and it lasts all year. I wait for 25% sales on Autogeek.net which happens at least once per quarter. Sonar Plus does work great. I would not use Iron X for regular wheel cleaning, as it is a waste, costly, and smells terrible as someone pointed out. I use Iron X before twice annual paint corrections. I've never found a cleaner where I didn't need to follow up with a cheap microfiber towel. Just be sure that whatever you use is PH neutral, which means stay away from crap at Autozone unless you find Griots at Advance Auto. __________________ 2018 i3s - Melbourne Red, Tera World, Ceramic Film all windows Packs: Technology, Driver Assistance, HK Audio, Park Distance Control
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07-20-2018, 01:46 PM	#15
vanbmw Major 130 Rep 1,101 Posts Drives: 2015 Black 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	Did the wheel dirt/grime turn RED and run off? If it did then it is something like SONAX or similar. If it didn't then they may have used a strong degreaser. I have a buddy that uses a strong degreaser on his wheels and it certainly takes everything off however I have read he label and it is some bad strong stuff! I read the warnings and I wouldn't use it on my wheels. However, he uses it on his wheels (Porsche Cayman) and figures since he rinses it off quickly he won't have problems. His car is 6-7 years old and his wheels haven't had any issues but it still doesn't make me want to switch to that stuff.
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07-20-2018, 02:06 PM	#16
evdok Lieutenant Colonel 818 Rep 1,907 Posts Drives: 330D M/SPORT xDRIVE INDIVIDUAL Join Date: May 2015 Location: WORCESTERSHIRE iTrader: (0)	This is good.. Attached Images __________________ Happy Motoring Evdok
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07-20-2018, 03:20 PM	#19
evdok Lieutenant Colonel 818 Rep 1,907 Posts Drives: 330D M/SPORT xDRIVE INDIVIDUAL Join Date: May 2015 Location: WORCESTERSHIRE iTrader: (0)	I never let my wheels get black/heavy brake dust, but I can say medium dirty wheels left for a week odd come up clean & I mean no need to touch the wheel with anything. __________________ Happy Motoring Evdok
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07-20-2018, 03:28 PM	#20
vooonoo ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 537 Rep 1,000 Posts Drives: f30 328 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: nj iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 f30 328i [0.00]	Do you know what color the liquid was? Honestly it's probably a diluted solution of Dawn, bc it's cheaper than them buying wheel cleaner i've used this and it works pretty well https://www.amazon.com/Best-Wheel-Ti.../dp/B014V9GFJU
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07-20-2018, 07:18 PM	#21
rjd598 Banned 1770 Rep 6,696 Posts Drives: F30 340i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego,CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	there is no such thing as a 100% hands free wheel cleaner. either your wheels were relatively clean to begin with and the detailer just spray wheel cleaner on to get some light dirt off or you might have not watched his whole process. i'm not trying to rain on your parade i'm just saying ask any detailer and they will agree there is no such thing as a true no agitating wheel cleaner on the market.
	Appreciate 0 Quote