Help me out here- Acid Wheel Ceaners

ShineTimeDetail

ShineTimeDetail

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I've never used an acid wheel cleaner but am wanting to try one out. The thing is, when I have a really dirty car or even some times fairly well maintained cars I can't get all of the brake dust off. I have used so many different types of wheel cleaners,all purpose cleaners and even full strength degreasers with out 100% brake free wheels!

So I was talking to a guy at a shop up here and he reccomended I try an acid cleaner. What I don't uder stand is how you can use it on all types of wheels even clear coated with out damage but it will eat through the clear coat on a car. Can anyone help me out here?
 
The benefit to using a wheel cleaner that has acid is the acid is very effective at removing brake dust.

Acid doesn't remove oily road grime, detergents and other cleaners work better for road grime.

When picking a wheel cleaner, make sure it's advertised as safe for clear coat wheels. If you purchase a concentrate, then make sure it's safe for clear coated wheels and you mix it at the recommended dilution levels.

Also wear the proper safety gear when using acid wheel cleaners, this would include gloves, safety glasses and if you like, some kind of mask so you don't inhale any overspray.

Acid wheel cleaners will stain polished aluminum, un-polished aluminum, anodized aluminum and magnesium wheels and the remedy is usually either expensive and/or time-consuming and usually both.

:)
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
The benefit to using a wheel cleaner that has acid is the acid is very effective at removing brake dust.

Acid doesn't remove oily road grime, detergents and other cleaners work better for road grime.

When picking a wheel cleaner, make sure it's advertised as safe for clear coat wheels. If you purchase a concentrate, then make sure it's safe for clear coated wheels and you mix it at the recommended dilution levels.

Also wear the proper safety gear when using acid wheel cleaners, this would include gloves, safety glasses and if you like, some kind of mask so you don't inhale any overspray.

Acid wheel cleaners will stain polished aluminum, un-polished aluminum, anodized aluminum and magnesium wheels and the remedy is usually either expensive and/or time-consuming and usually both.

:)
Click to expand...

So will rubber mechanic gloves work?
 
Tom,

When I'm cleaning wheels and tires I've had great luck with;

Meguiar's Wheel Brightener

WheelBrightener.jpg


Fir the dirtiest tires I use;

Meguiar's Super Degreaser

SuperDegreaser.jpg


Another product that works well is;

Amazing Roll-Off

ARO.jpg


Always read the manufactures instructions because some of these are intended to be diluted. This not only makes them effective but also makes them more economical.
 
Flash is right when I used to detail dinosaurs all we had was acid wheel cleaner and will definately burn your skin,eyes and lungs. It's nasty stuff and if you can stay the hell away from it.
 
If your wheels are clear coated and you clean them with acid, any area where the clear has chipped or scratched off will stand out like a sore thumb. It will also creep further into chipped areas and actually "push" the clear away from the wheel.
The way acid works is by opening the pores on soft metals (aluminum). This allows all the dirt to come out of the wheel and as a result turns the aluminum white.
As soon as a wheel turns white, the next step is to polish right away while the pores are open and the aluminum is "soft". This will give you the shine that will look like chrome if done properly. And yes the fumes are nasty and cover your skin! Acid will also etch concrete and fade a seal coated driveway, so be careful where you use it.
 
Scott DeBrun said:
Flash is right when I used to detail dinosaurs all we had was acid wheel cleaner and will definately burn your skin,eyes and lungs. It's nasty stuff and if you can stay the hell away from it.
Click to expand...
:iagree:
 
Do you remember back in the late 90's when everyone was running around with those wire wheel Dayton spinners? You know, the kind with a million spokes that would never come clean. Well I still have some wheel acid I used on those that would eat everything away...and even burn the rubber if you let it sit too long but it worked really well (smelled like rotten eggs, almost like sulfuric acid). Anyway, the vapor alone would burn your eyes, nose and chest. I was in hurry one day and didn't put my respirator on and man was that a mistake-horrible burning and coughing. Dont make the mistake I did and listen to everyone here. Use the proper saftey equipment when using this stuff.
 
Oh yeah, it will ruin a wheel in a heartbeat. Don't underestimate it.
 
I thinkk ill pass on it lol but I would like to learn how to polish the aluminum just after you clean the wheel with acid.
 
tomrzk said:
I thinkk ill pass on it lol but I would like to learn how to polish the aluminum just after you clean the wheel with acid.
Click to expand...

[video=youtube_share;RF21eHUAwlk] - How to polish aluminum wheels to look like chrome[/video]

Here, check this out ^ :dblthumb2:
 
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