Meguiars D140 Wheel Brightener Dangers?

T0RCH3D

T0RCH3D

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I plan on getting Meg's Wheel Brightener here in the next few weeks. From hearing it's tremendous cleaning abilities along with other positive reviews and recommendations, there are also warnings and others say it is too strong. I understand that it is a stronger product, which I think is key for neglected wheels, caked brake dust, etc. My main question is how harmful can this be on wheel finishes? I plan on using this for many different wheels and finishes? I want a strong product, is this the right wheel cleaner for me? If not, other recommendations? Thanks in advance.
 
Highly recommended not to use on bare aluminum wheels. That is from Meguair's. Only use this as last case its pretty harsh. Use gloves and some recommend a mouth guard. Dilute 4:1 for heavily baked wheels. 10:1 is plenty.

Research the wheel to make sure you are not harming the finish.

For a ph balanced cleaner many like Sonax FE.

Optimum Power Clean is great and may be diluted. OTC cleaners like Mothers and Eagle One are great IMHO too.

Start with least abrasive and move up from there.

PS If you go Megs WB Do NOT let it dwell very long. After cleaning it would be great to seal the wheel to make regular maintenance a lot easier.
 
Meguiar's Wheel Brightener is a great product for cleaning stubborn wheels. If you dilute it 4:1 as recommended you'll find this safe to use on just about any coated or painted wheel. I was impressed with it's cleaning ability.

I would not use this on raw or uncoated aluminum wheels.

Meguiar's Wheel Brightener effectiveness is akin to CarPro IronX but doesn't turn everything purple as a sign working. The performance exceeds it's cost by quite a margin so it's a bargain in terms of bang for the buck...
 
Great, seems it is just raw aluminum wheels I have to worry about. Thanks.
 
Trumbo_S10 said:
Highly recommended not to use on bare aluminum wheels. That is from Meguair's. Only use this as last case its pretty harsh. Use gloves and some recommend a mouth guard. Dilute 4:1 for heavily baked wheels. 10:1 is plenty.

Research the wheel to make sure you are not harming the finish.

For a ph balanced cleaner many like Sonax FE.

Optimum Power Clean is great and may be diluted. OTC cleaners like Mothers and Eagle One are great IMHO too.

Start with least abrasive and move up from there.

PS If you go Megs WB Do NOT let it dwell very long. After cleaning it would be great to seal the wheel to make regular maintenance a lot easier.
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That's why I like brown Royal. It works probably better than sonax and it can be used on raw and aluminum wheels since it's not acid based. Basically it's like sonax but around 10th the price and can be diluted. I think I dilute it 4:1.

I like wheel brightener, but I rather not worry about damaging a wheel of its aluminum or deal with the harsh effects.
 
How many wheels are really uncoated aluminum anyways, that is the only reason I am still leaning toward WB
 
SVTstang46 said:
How many wheels are really uncoated aluminum anyways, that is the only reason I am still leaning toward WB
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Now days not that many and certainly not from the factory....

A quick test to determine is take a light colored towel and place a dab of polish on it. Rub it against the surface of the wheel and if it turns the spot on the rag a dark gray then it's uncoated...
 
I've been using this product for over four years, but only on the most severely neglected, where APC alone would not cut thoroughly. But just as paint finishes show signs of CC failure, so do coated wheels. Wash first and inspect thoroughly before appling this product.
If applied to damaged coating then uneven finish(lacking luster and ashen-like) will be end result.
2 custom car enthusiasts ( multiple trophy winners) and 1 AGO forum member (asked for his advice) have warned me against its use.
The last thing that I will say is that you will have great results with less effort, but you'll know immediately of any possible ill effect.
 
Thanks bobby, I will be sure to use that method when needed.
 
Vegas Transplant said:
I've been using this product for over four years, but only on the most severely neglected, where APC alone would not cut thoroughly. But just as paint finishes show signs of CC failure, so do coated wheels. Wash first and inspect thouroughly before appling this product.

2 custom car enthusiasts ( multiple trophy winners) and 1 AGO forum member (asked for his advice) have warned me against its use.
The last thing that I will say is that you will have great results with less effort, but you'll know immediately of any possible ill effect.
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I appreciate the advice, I think to be on the safe side I will clean thoroughly with wash, then Optimum Power Clean, if all else fails I will hit the stubborn areas of the wheel with Meg's WB.
 
Sounds like a plan.:xyxthumbs:

Wheels that are driven in sandy areas and those driven in salt/slag or ice show greater propensity for coating failure hand.
 
I Keep two WB bottles, one 7:1 and one 4:1.

If I can get away with the 7:1, yay! If that doesn't work, the 4:1 is always handy.
 
bmwgalore said:
I Keep two WB bottles, one 7:1 and one 4:1.

If I can get away with the 7:1, yay! If that doesn't work, the 4:1 is always handy.
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I do something similar.

10:1 and 4:1

It's a strong cleaner, yes. It gets the job done though.
 
I purchased a gallon of MWB about a year ago to use on my BMW X3 wheels (also bought a $30 pump sprayer to go along with it). They weren't trashed but there were spots that I couldn't get clean. I BELIEVE I mixed it 5:1 and let it dwell for a couple minutes as per the instructions on the bottle and research here. I was amazed by the result! In fact, they were cleaned so well with the MWB, that I have not had to use it since! Now I just "maintenance-wash" my wheels with separate bucket of car wash solution just for the wheels. It is truly amazing and that gallon is going to last me a lifetime.

Here is a link to my write-up described above.
 
Vegas Transplant said:
Sounds like a plan.:xyxthumbs:

Wheels that are driven in sandy areas and those driven in salt/slag or ice show greater propensity for coating failure hand.
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Thanks for your advice and input! Much appreciated and will help in the future.

bmwgalore said:
I Keep two WB bottles, one 7:1 and one 4:1.

If I can get away with the 7:1, yay! If that doesn't work, the 4:1 is always handy.
Click to expand...

TimmyG said:
I do something similar.

10:1 and 4:1

It's a strong cleaner, yes. It gets the job done though.
Click to expand...

I was planning on following the same approach, thanks!

grambow said:
I purchased a gallon of MWB about a year ago to use on my BMW X3 wheels (also bought a $30 pump sprayer to go along with it). They weren't trashed but there were spots that I couldn't get clean. I BELIEVE I mixed it 5:1 and let it dwell for a couple minutes as per the instructions on the bottle and research here. I was amazed by the result! In fact, they were cleaned so well with the MWB, that I have not had to use it since! Now I just "maintenance-wash" my wheels with separate bucket of car wash solution just for the wheels. It is truly amazing and that gallon is going to last me a lifetime.

Here is a link to my write-up described above.
Click to expand...

Great review! BMW brake dust is always tough, a friend of mine has the same issue with his wheels. May be the performance pads or clear coat which the brake dust easily adheres too and bonds making it very difficult to get off unless maintained. Thanks for your input, I am definitely sold on WB, but will only use if OPC cannot get the job done.
 
IMO the "dangers" of this wheel cleaner are primarily to the human body. Make sure you have the appropriate PPE and neutralizing agents.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
IMO the "dangers" of this wheel cleaner are primarily to the human body. Make sure you have the appropriate PPE and neutralizing agents.
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Agreed, I will have to purchase me some gloves for this product! Another question related to this. I am buying a lot of gallon jugs of products and only the Meg's products come with labeled spray bottles. Any recommended spray bottles?
 
i'm not a fan of this product. I would not want somebody using it on my factory wheels. If they did, I would want them to remove the wheels. Because nowadays most manufactures use brake rotors that are meant to look pretty and nice. and the center peice of the rotor is uncoated metal. same goes for some of the hardware on the brake caliper. and so on and so on. If you wheel brightener on those uncoated parts, they will turn all dull or hazy and it will mess up the finish.

My though process goes like this. If its not safe for the clear coat on the cars paint, I would not use it on the clearcoat on my wheels. If your customer has wheels like BBS or aftermarket, you have to remember that the clearcoat on aftermarket wheels is not as durable as the clearcoat on OEM wheels. So if using an acid based product (that WILL etch if left to dwell to long) you need to be really carefull. A lof of people will fantastic cars , for some stupid reason like to skimp on there aftermarket wheels. For example, I see a lot of BMW's and Audi's with 1000 dollar sets of VMR wheels. The finish on those wheels is horrible and the winter alone can start the clearcoat peeling. If you use a harsh wheel cleaner on them, even if you dont see immediate damage, your not doing anything to help matters.

If I hired a detailer, I would be MUCH more comfterable with them using a popular APC rather than the acid based wheel cleaner.

This is just my opinion. I know many people will disagree.

My only advice would be to discuss the precautions with your customer beforehand. And let them know what products you want to use on there wheels, especially when using something as potent as WB.
 
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