My wheel regime is killing me, help!

Coopers ST said:
My Focus ST has terrible dusting issues so the wheels take forever. Before the summers go back on I bought some CQuartz Dlux and plan on coating my wheels to see if they cleanup faster
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They will.. I have EBC Red pads and my wheels take a week to get filthy. Coated wheels are easier to clean as it doesn't stick as much.
 
Wheel brightener you say..... Stronger than the D101 I assume or just formulated for wheels? I'll give it a go and pick up a power washer. I've been trying to put off a power washer but knew I'd need one at some point. Seems now may be the time.
 
JamMaster Jay said:
So most of my details have been taking too long because of my wheel regime. I'm spending close to an hour with setting up and starting on wheels, rims & wheel wells first. I've been using Meg's super degreaser and it works great but it takes me two maybe three passes to get them where I feel they're appropriate. Been going with a 4:1 ratio and using a combo of speed master, wheel woollies and mothers brushes. I spray the tires with the D108 in a foam sprayer, let sit 2 mins, scrub, rinse and inspect. Should I be scrubbing more, letting the degreaser set for longer or what? I've got to cut this time down if I plan on making money. Help!?!
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When spraying D108 Super Degreaser @4:1... Foaming sprayer is not a must. Also, if you're agitating with a brush [as you should] it's not necessary to let sit for 2 min.. You could actually begin agitating a few seconds after spraying the tire and it'll work just as fine.

Don't forget to spray down the wheel wells too..

Same goes for D140 Wheel Brightener @4:1. Spray, agitate, then rinse off everything. Wheel well, tire, wheel.
 
There are stronger and more effective products out there for cleaning wheels. Megs Wheel Brightener is actually a pretty weak acid (in comparison to others that are available). Also, Megs Super Degreaser is quite possibly the weakest degreaser I've ever used. I love Meguiars products and use almost their entire Detailers line but these two products don't seem to meet my needs. I'm not sure if Autogeek carries a stronger acid based wheel cleaner but that is probably what you're looking for. Learn how to use it safely and it will clean the most neglected wheels in a fraction of the time. Also, check out 3D Yellow Degreaser. 100 times more effective than the Megs degreaser, brown just melts off the tires with almost no need to agitate.
 
vanev said:
OP.

You are not doing anything wrong.
The time factor you stated is on par with the amount of time it takes to do the job for tires, wheels, and, wheel wells.
This if you are detailing, and not just blasting through.
This is true for many detailers, including myself.

Time Factor:
There are always approaches one can take to lessen the time it takes to complete any task.
I would suggest caution in comparing time frames to other detailers in your area, and to those stated in social media.
I have no doubt there are detailers out there who can detail at amazing speed.
I can move with the best of them and have yet to figure out how miraculous time frame auto detail completions are possible.
Then again, not everyone has the same definition of a detail.
Cleaning and detailing are not always the same thing.

The condition always factors into the time frame.
Stronger chemical cleaners may assist in the labor process and time factor, so do keep that in mind.
I more often than not encounter worst case scenarios.
I also primarily use steam clean and rinseless wash solutions, which at times can slow the process down, and at other times can speed the time frame up, just depends.

Price Point:
Make sure the price you charge factors in the time frame it takes to complete the job.
At some point, you will reach the fastest time frame possible for you to complete the job, and will just not be able to go any faster.
Make sure you are compensated to make the job worth your while.
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Best response. Also, try Optimum's Power Clean. Works well for just about everything. Undiluted for nasty wheel cleaning. Also Carpro's IronX is muy bueno.


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You want fast then you have to spend the money on Sonax FE and wheel woolies. I tried all the degreasers, APC and cheaper wheel cleaners...waste of time. I dont even know how anyone on this forum recommends any of the apc or degreasers. Yeah they are cheaper but you have to work your ass off to get anywhere. With Sonax it melts right off.

I also use the BMW wheel cleaner which works fantastic and is cheaper than the Sonax.
 
d33p said:
You want fast then you have to spend the money on Sonax FE and wheel woolies. I tried all the degreasers, APC and cheaper wheel cleaners...waste of time. I dont even know how anyone on this forum recommends any of the apc or degreasers. Yeah they are cheaper but you have to work your ass off to get anywhere. With Sonax it melts right off.

I also use the BMW wheel cleaner which works fantastic and is cheaper than the Sonax.
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Is Sonax FE the 1 that's similar to DUB Wheel Cleaner?
 
Quick Tip

When spraying wheel cleaners...start at the bottom of the wheel and work your way to the top.

This prevents the drip lines that sometimes occur when you start spraying at the top of the wheel.
 
FrankS said:
I was referring to wheels that have been neglected and not properly maintained. It seems that I have mostly worked on wheels that have never had the inner barrels cleaned and therefore have a build up of brake dust and tar deposits.

I may be strange but I like detailing wheels, probably one of my favorite parts. I like it when the customer says that their wheels never looked so good. I like for the wheels to look like they were removed and cleaned. Fortunately, I have had customers who don't mind paying for the extra time it takes to do a thorough job.

If the wheels were somewhat maintained and sealed or coated then of course it goes faster.

To be more exact, on the average, it takes me about 12 to 15 minutes, so about 45 minutes to an hour total, sometimes less and sometimes more depending on the condition and type of wheel, and that is for the wheels (face and inner barrels), tires and wheel wells.
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For neglected wheels just use megs wheel brightener. Makes the world easier.

On my wheels, there's no way I'm going to get the barrel clean with the spoke style so I just spray wheel brightener back there and wash off. The face I use a Flaggtip brush and wiggle them into the mesh and it cleans them nicely
 
Eldorado2k said:
Is Sonax FE the 1 that's similar to DUB Wheel Cleaner?
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I never tried DUB cleaner cause I gave up on trying cheaper solutions. I hate doing wheels but the BMW wheel cleaner really makes the grime melt off (just like Sonax). If you have a BMW dealer near you just ask them the price as it may be cheaper.
 
In my experience the results using DUB and Sonax FE are very similar, if not identical, when using spray and agitate method.

I would never expect to get anything clean without agitation.
 
Coopers ST said:
My Focus ST has terrible dusting issues so the wheels take forever. Before the summers go back on I bought some CQuartz Dlux and plan on coating my wheels to see if they cleanup faster
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:iagree:
 
AGOatemywallet said:
Wondering if the BMW product is actually Sonax FE.

The bottle is the exact same.
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Im pretty sure its the same formula but I never compared them side by side. The BMW bottles I have are all round and not like the Sonax ones. Obviously BMW contracts it out to someone as they now have an entire detailing line.
 
Sonax is overpriced if you're trying to make money.


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I'm definitely trying to make money but want great results. I was talking to my mentor yesterday and he kinda said some of the same things. Most wheels take him 10-15 mins depending on what type and finish they are. He also suggested just doing the faces and charging more for the wells and barrels but letting the client know up front. I feel like I'm going a little beyond most people's expectations and doing more since I want referrals.
 
D Tailor said:
Sonax is overpriced if you're trying to make money.


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If you are doing it for money you buy the huge refills. Time is money and Sonax saves you time.
 
d33p said:
If you are doing it for money you buy the huge refills. Time is money and Sonax saves you time.
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Sounds like you have it figured out. The huge refills are still expensive. Equally good products work just as fast for less. But that's the beauty of this line of work: product choice. What's good for one may not be for another. Buy stuff until you find something that works and master its use. Then you can figure out the cost/use and see if it's worth your time. If it works out with what your charging, then sick with that. If not, alter what your charging, alter your method, or alter your product. No amount of Internet q/a can substitute empirical data.


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Wheel acid base cleaners with proper use and protection,will yield effortless results and 15.00 a gallon can be dilututed a lot.
 
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