Wheel cleaner

[USAFVMI08]

I know that the best way is the old fashioned hand scrubbing with auto wash and a mit but I was wondering what the best wheel cleaner is to help get off a good portion of the brake dust before I start scrubbing. I'm not going to solely use the wheel cleaner because it doesn't get everything but I'd like something to help with cutting down on the scrubbing. Thanks!

 

[NCZ13]

actually the best way is with a proper wheel cleaner, and set of brushes.

check out p21s gel wheel cleaner. Best in the market. It cant be found in stores, so you have to get it online. you can find it at detailersdomain.com or autogeek.net.

its on the pricey side, but its hands down the best wheel cleaner on the market.

 

[Igve2shtz]

For the past 1.5 years, I have been using all brands (Armor-all, black magic, castrol, etc) of wheel cleaner and a toothbrush.

However, I am finding that Simple Green works equally as effective, can actually be cheaper (if you dilute the Simple Green), and its better for the enviroment. But, you still need a toothbrush.

 

[Gmac03]

I use meguiars hot wheels wheel cleaner. Works better than most that I've tried.

Gmac

 

[USAFVMI08]

I use meguiars hot wheels wheel cleaner. Works better than most that I've tried.

Gmac

A couple I know tried that. Ended up staining their rotors or something. In any case they told me to stay away from it.

 

[vcinsanity1523]

actually the best way is with a proper wheel cleaner, and set of brushes.

check out p21s gel wheel cleaner. Best in the market. It cant be found in stores, so you have to get it online. you can find it at detailersdomain.com or autogeek.net.

its on the pricey side, but its hands down the best wheel cleaner on the market.

I agree P21s all the way

 

[justanothermp5]

i use soap and water
idk what u guys drive through but i never needed a toothbrush, a rag always worked for me

 

[USAFVMI08]

Yeah, I've just been using a wash mit for the wheels. Granted it takes a little bit to get in those nooks and crannies but the result is great. Like I said, I'm not looking for an end all wheel cleaner. I just want something that will take most of the gunk off before I pop a squat and get to scrubbing.

 

[Tender Vittles]

A couple I know tried that. Ended up staining their rotors or something. In any case they told me to stay away from it.

I agree. Unless you get every little tiny bit of cleaner washed off you run the risk of discoloring the wheels. When it comes down to it, if you're gonna wash by hand you may as well just wash by hand.

I've runied a few sets of wheels using Armor All, Eagle One etc.

If you read the instructions on the back they specifically say to let sit for 30 seconds. So unless you work super fast you'll be up the creek.

 

[MR_X]

I use degreaser. After I'm done with that, I wax the wheels. This keeps from dust from getting caked on. If you wash your car as frequent as I do, I should just wash off.

 

[Tender Vittles]

I use degreaser. After I'm done with that, I wax the wheels. This keeps from dust from getting caked on. If you wash your car as frequent as I do, I should just wash off.

Never thought of that... or really have never even waxed wheels before. Is there a specific poduct for that or do you just use the same wax you use on your paint...ie carnuba based like Meguirs or Turtle or something?

 

[MR_X]

Just regular wax. Lately I have been using the Teflon spray wax. It is easier to apply.

 

[Tender Vittles]

Just regular wax. Lately I have been using the Teflon spray wax. It is easier to apply.

Thats a great tip... Im def gonna try next time i detail my car. Is it just me or do you get a crazy amount of brake dust on your front wheels. Ill hand clean them on a Sunday...spotlessly, and by Wed my wheels are black again.

 

[NCZ13]

Your front brakes do the majority of teh braking, and its also because of the kind of pads your using.

A wax wont keep the brake dust away, but it will make them much easier to clean. They do make wheel specific waxes, and they work pretty good. I use DP wheel glaze on my wheels. My car however gets washed religiously once a week, so my wheels dont get to bad. I still enjoy breaking out the brushes and the diluted p21s and getting them spotless.

 

[MR_X]

Your front brakes do the majority of teh braking, and its also because of the kind of pads your using.

A wax wont keep the brake dust away, but it will make them much easier to clean. They do make wheel specific waxes, and they work pretty good. I use DP wheel glaze on my wheels. My car however gets washed religiously once a week, so my wheels dont get to bad. I still enjoy breaking out the brushes and the diluted p21s and getting them spotless.

Oh I know it will not keep the dust away, but it prevents it from sticking and getting caked on. I learned the hard way on my last FD after track days. Also, the wax makes it easier to clean when using a power washer.

I clean my car once or twice a week. The one thing I hate to do are the rims. When I shop for rims, I do consider cleaning in my purchase. I try to avoid mech style rims and go for the most simple ones.

 

[NCZ13]

yeah i love cleaning wheels, i have about 50 dollars in various brushes that i use to get them spotless.

 

[Tender Vittles]

Your front brakes do the majority of teh braking, and its also because of the kind of pads your using.

A wax wont keep the brake dust away, but it will make them much easier to clean. They do make wheel specific waxes, and they work pretty good. I use DP wheel glaze on my wheels. My car however gets washed religiously once a week, so my wheels dont get to bad. I still enjoy breaking out the brushes and the diluted p21s and getting them spotless.

I wash mine once a week also.... MS6... yours is a protege correct? Ive got just over 15k on mine, bought with 5k in Jan so I assume the pads are the factory pads still, or maybe the dealership i bought from cheaped out and put some cheapies on it before they put it on the lot. I guess what I was getting at was tryin to find out if other MS6 owners get an unusually high amount of dust on their fronts as well. I know that's where most of hte breaking happens, but I get more dust on this car than anyother I've ever owned. I guess when they're due to be replaced Ill have to try some of the more expensive ceramic pads that supposedly dramatically reduce dust. You have any experience with those?

 

[RADAR THIS]

my recommendation, read all directions peeps before applying...we get at least one call a day like this..."i used some wheel cleaner and it left water spots/runs on my wheels."

that would be acid that etched itself into your finish...not all wheel cleaners are safe for all wheel finishes...

all of the detail shops we contract to use either simple green or a similar product made by a competitor...

i keep my solution pretty concentrate...don't wet your wheels before hand...that just waters it down more...

 

[USAFVMI08]

So Simple Green seems to be the way to go. Good thing I work at a hardware store so I can pick some up for pretty cheap

 

[NCZ13]

simple green still needs to be agitated to work. its not a chemical cleaner.

i would say a 4:1 dilution should be good (4 parts water to 1 part cleaner)