Tire cleaner?

WJave

WJave

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What do you guys like for a good tire cleaner. I used to just fill a spray bottle from the local carwash with the green stuff they and it worked good. I'm looking for one that will get red clay stains out.
 
There are a few that I use but lately I've narrowed my choices to the two below.

Meguiar's APC+

APC.jpg



Meguiar's Super Degreaser

SuperDegreaser.jpg


For wheels I use Meguiar's Wheel Brightener

WheelBrightener.jpg
 
Castols Super Clean or Purple Power are as good as any. You can purchase both at Wal-Mart :props:
 
I use Purple Power and am very satisfied with the quality and the result
 
I find there is no need to spend a lot of money on a tire cleaner. I use the saved money on a better tire dressing . As flash mentioned purple power works great . IMO
 
Any all purpose cleaner + a cheap stiff bristled brush.
 
+1 on the Purple Power. I buy it buy the gallon and dilute it. Stuff works awesome!
 
Some of those "high end" tire products are not worth the money. Besides, I don't like my tires looking like a mirror...I want them to look like tires...clean tires, but tires nonetheless.
 
Greased Lightning. It foams from agitation very easily. Very good stuff.
 
Some APC+ or Bleche White works really well. Just don't get the Bleche White on wheels because that stuff is strong!
 
I have all ways used " Westley's Bleach White ".........any one else use it ?

Or maybe I should find something else......its kind of messy to use , but it's all I have ever used.
 
Mike Burke said:
I have all ways used " Westley's Bleach White ".........any one else use it ?

Or maybe I should find something else......its kind of messy to use , but it's all I have ever used.
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That's what I use man. If I want to strip off old dressing then it works great. Has some awful fumes though, lol. I don't find it messy at all.
 
I used to use Simple Green (straight) but I have since switched to Amazing Roll Off (straight).

The SG worked fair, but using the ARO you could actually see the brown sludge running off of the tire and this was after I had used SG. The first time I cleaned my tires with it I still had to do multiple applications to get the old Megs Hot Shine Gel and gravel dust off.

The down side to ARO is the cost. I would like to try a less expensive APC but I am concerned about the potential for damaging the clear on my wheels. I am sure many APC's claim to be clear coat safe when diluted properly, but I am worried that there would not be sufficient cleaning power to these APC's when diluted to clear coat safe specs.

Even after cleaning with full strength ARO and a brush I still get black residue on my towel when drying the tire if I press hard.
 
I got a 1:1 dilution of purple power on the factory powder coated wheels on my Buick and it etched so deeply that I have never been able polish the damage out. Ive even done multiple step polishing starting with wool pads and rocks in a bottle compounds. That purple power doesn't get anywhere near my car and especially not a customer's car. That was an early lesson learned and I am glad it was on my own car and not a customer's.
 
tuscarora dave said:
I got a 1:1 dilution of purple power on the factory powder coated wheels on my Buick and it etched so deeply that I have never been able polish the damage out. Ive even done multiple step polishing starting with wool pads and rocks in a bottle compounds. That purple power doesn't get anywhere near my car and especially not a customer's car. That was an early lesson learned and I am glad it was on my own car and not a customer's.
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That's what I am afraid of, Wheel Damage! It's not worth it to save a few bucks on a cheap APC.

I know ARO and Optimums APC are expensive, but its nice to know they will not damage your wheels even at full strength.

Merry Christmas Everybody!
 
Before I found these forums I used to use Purple Power, Simple Green or Tuff Stuff for my automotive cleaning duties but what I found was that Purple Power will not only etch the wheels, it will also strip the dye out/off of interior pieces. Under the hood Purple Power will turn uncoated aluminum an ashy white color. This Mustang was dirty under the hood but the aluminum was a natural aluminum color until I sprayed Purple Power on it. This was one of my first details and my process is completely different and much safer and much more effective nowadays thanks to using Auto Detailing Specific cleaners.
Mustangafter010.jpg

I know this thread is about cleaning wheels but I just wanted to warn those of you who believe that all APCs are the same that you might be messing with a ticking time bomb so to speak. Take this info for what it's worth. Just my experience.
 
tuscarora dave said:
Before I found these forums I used to use Purple Power, Simple Green or Tuff Stuff for my automotive cleaning duties but what I found was that Purple Power will not only etch the wheels, it will also strip the dye out/off of interior pieces. Under the hood Purple Power will turn uncoated aluminum an ashy white color. This Mustang was dirty under the hood but the aluminum was a natural aluminum color until I sprayed Purple Power on it. This was one of my first details and my process is completely different and much safer and much more effective nowadays thanks to using Auto Detailing Specific cleaners.
Mustangafter010.jpg

I know this thread is about cleaning wheels but I just wanted to warn those of you who believe that all APCs are the same that you might be messing with a ticking time bomb so to speak. Take this info for what it's worth. Just my experience.
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Thats good info Dave! Thanks for posting that.
 
[Flame suit zipped up]

I have yet to find any APC that cleans tires as good as Bleche-White. I do always thoroughly wet the wheels and fenders around the tire before I use it though, and never let it sit. I usually spray/scrub/rinse, then do it again. When it washes off clean, then the tires are clean enough for me.

But, on some vehicles with known "sensitive" wheels, I have not been brave enough to try the Bleche-White. APC+ then gets the nod.

DLB
 
Like most of the folks here, I use APC+ on my tires.
 
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