Need cheap wheel cleaner

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ymc226

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I just used about 3/4 of a 16.6 oz spray bottle of the SONAX Wheel Cleaner Full Effect on my wife's SUV. They were quite dirty so I liberally sprayed them, waited about 4 minutes (cold wheels in the shade) until they looked as there were starting to dry, went at it with a Speed Master wheel brush with still residual dirt/film (this is after I used an air compressor to blow all of the loosely adhered dust). Before rinsing, I sprayed once again on all 4 wheels and cleaned them again with the brush.

They came out very nicely but rather expensive using almost the complete $20 bottle. Is there a cheaper product that works just as well?
 
Meguiar's Wheel Brightener D140- $16.99 per. gallon here at AG.

Dilutes 4:1, but I use at 5:1 and is still just as effective.
 
Last year I picked up some snow tires mounted on factory aluminum wheels for my Altima, looked like they'd never been washed. Brake dust was heavy & they laughed at a soapy wheel brush.

They didn't have to be perfect but they had to look better so I Google for solutions aside from traditional wheel cleaners. Found more than a few people were using ordinary oven cleaning foam spray. Doesn't change color like Sonax but it worked really well.
Sprayed them (off car) & let them sit before scrubbing & rinsing, did 3 wheels twice & 4th wheel took 3 applications.
You couldn't tell they were aluminum wheels when I started & they ended up looking good for what I needed them for.
 
Thanks for all of your suggestions. I'll try Meguiar's DUB first as it seems less harsh than Meguiar's Wheel Brightner. Though all factory wheels are coated, I'm worried that eventually the coating will be compromised in certain areas and the WB may damage it. Am I overthinking this?

Also, I have Porsche wheels that are factory painted black. I've just used regular car wash soap to clean these wheels as I have ceramic brakes which minimize dust. Is there any special cleaner that I need or ones to avoid?
 
YES! You are absolutely overthinking this. I have used Wheel Brightener for years on customers vehicles and my own, and wheels continue to look as good as NEW!

Wheel Brightener is also safe on paint and plastic, and have used to remove tough water spots.

No worries!
 
ymc226 said:
Though all factory wheels are coated,
Click to expand...
Some factory wheels are not coated.

ymc226 said:
Meguiar's Wheel Brightner.
I'm worried that eventually the coating will be compromised in certain areas and the WB may damage it.
Am I overthinking this?
Click to expand...
Many wheel cleaners will damage the areas where the
coating has been compromised. WB is no exception.

But while on the subject of overthinking WB:
It's imperative to use the recommended, and
Professional: personal protection equipment (PPE)
whenever using this WB. After all...It's labeled as:
An intended-for-professional-use product.

IMHO:
Health & Safety Always Comes First!!


Bob
 
Hi, I just got myself a Dub Wheel Cleaner. I have to be honest and ask you guys on how to twist the cap?? It seems that it has a different type of twist-cap than any other sprayers I've ever used before.
 
It's child proof, push the tab in the center of the spray nozzle and twist.
 
I have both Non Acid (2:1) and WB (4:1). I use WB on extremely dirty wheels and Non Acid on tires and light-med wheels. They are both extremely cheap per oz.
 
ymc226 said:
I just used about 3/4 of a 16.6 oz spray bottle of the SONAX Wheel Cleaner Full Effect on my wife's SUV. They were quite dirty so I liberally sprayed them, waited about 4 minutes (cold wheels in the shade) until they looked as there were starting to dry, went at it with a Speed Master wheel brush with still residual dirt/film (this is after I used an air compressor to blow all of the loosely adhered dust). Before rinsing, I sprayed once again on all 4 wheels and cleaned them again with the brush.

They came out very nicely but rather expensive using almost the complete $20 bottle. Is there a cheaper product that works just as well?
Click to expand...
I'm glad you made this post. I'm exactly like you regarding having to use most of the bottle for just 4 wheels. Now, I did spray the barrels (moderately) but as good a job as the product worked (looked better than any other I've used) but I cannot afford almost $20 every other week when I wash my car. I'm going with the DUB since I can get it at Wally World on the cheap.
 
If you are looking for economical, you could also use a 4:1 or 10:1 APC to cut through the grime. If that doesn't get them as clean, then use an iron decon' wheel cleaner, you'll just have to use LESS product this way.

I've heard exceptional reviews on Meguiar's WB, although I have not used it personally.
 
I'm a real fan of Mother's Foaming Wheel and Tire Cleaner.

It's gentle, inexpensive, and widely available. My wheels typically stay pretty clean, but when they get really grimy, this is my go-to product.

In the past I would just use my car wash solution on my wheels, but now I find I use this wheel cleaner about once a month and my wheels look even better. There are some contaminates that car shampoo just can't remove.
 
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