Dedicated Tire Cleaning Products?

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ArkayoDeetayo

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Hello,

For all of you guys who care for your tires/wheels, got a question for you.

Is it worth it to get a dedicated tire cleaner such as CG Diablo or Sonax Wheel cleaner?

I have used Sonax and while it was cool changing colors, I still had to scrub with my datona and then they were sparkly clean.

Another time I used OPC and scrubbed, same results sparkly clean.

Then my last time I tried just pure water spray and scrub, same sparkly clean.

If anything can't I just mix some soap solution in a spray bottle for extra cleaning/lubrication and spray it clean?

So basically is there an advantage of using a wheel cleaner to clean tires? I noticed no difference vs a dedicated cleaner, all purpose cleaner, and just water.

What do you guys think? Kind of expensive buying Sonax (I got 4 Sonax Bottles, think it costed me $60 for 4 16oz bottles!)
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also, I see people using a bucket and grit guard for wheel cleaning? is there a reason for this? When I clean my wheels I just hose off the dirty brush and continue cleaning
 
I only use expensive wheel cleaners when it's justified. I'm OCD when it comes to my car, so it never needs anything magical.

I've used IronX and CG Diablo on my wheels when I first got my car, but since then because I wash my car every...all I use is Meguiars APC+ at 20:1.

That combined with Poorboys Wheel Sealant virtually makes my job nothing. As well, people use grit guards and buckets while cleaning to protect the finish to the wheels...just like you would with paint.

Cliff: Only use Sonax, IronX, CG Diablo when it's needed, otherwise step it back and use a APC+.

A clean wheel is a clean wheel...doesn't matter how you get there.
 
i buy and use 2 Zep products (available locally at Home Depot by the gallon for about $12)

Citrus for wheels/wells/trim, etc

Purple for tires
 
APC+ 1:4 on tires

CG Diablo and Eagle One A2Z for wheels.

A2Z also works amazing on tires, but I do not use it for that because APC+ is cheaper.
 
If you clean your wheels often shampoo and water will do the trick with a good quality brush. I like to spray Megs APC on the wheels if they're dirty to give a cleaning boost, and I use the same Megs APC (7:1 ratio) with an OXO Good grips tire scrub brush for the tires.

Cleans them up well + I can use it on the wheel wells too.
 
I never use a wheel cleaner anymore on my own car.

About 5 months ago I spent a day on just my wheels to make sure they were easy to clean from then on out.

I first pulled the wheels off, cleaned them thoroughly with APC+ followed by a sample sized iron-x. Then clayed, polished with 205 and sealed every inch (face, barrel and inner lip with Opti-coat. They are black and only need a quick agitation with regular wash soap to get perfectly clean.
 
I use Griots both their wheel and tire cleaners but I only do my own cars so a gallon lasts me a long time. I do not have APC+ but now that you guys are mentioning using an APC I have some CG nonsense i'll try out. If it works that is one less product i need to refill.
 
Oh maybe that's why just water and scrubbing worked for me, I sealed my wheels with Zaino AIO and Z5+ZFX+Z8, thanks for all the input...
I also notice people say "apc/opc for tires, then something else for wheels", can't you just OPC/APC both tire and wheel?
 
What I use for wheels I also use on tires. I used to use otc products but recently switched to OPC. After that runs out I will probably get some APC+
 
I use diluted simple green on tires, and whatever car wash I'm using will go on the wheels.

I may switch to the diluted super purple for the tires, to get all that brown out.

I haven't experimented with wax/sealant on wheels, but it sounds like a good idea to make cleaning easier.
 
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