SON1C Synopsis 13 Sonax Wheel Cleaner vs Chemical Guys Diablo GEL Orange

I am with you guys. I quickly learned that for an everyday wheel cleaner, it is just overkill (in terms of cost per use vs cleaning power on well maintained wheels). I am sure it works great on neglected wheels with caked on brake dust, but I normally don't allow my wheels to get to that condition, so really, overkill for me IMO. I need something a little more cost effective :laughing:

Edit: Sorry, I was referring to Sonax.
completely agree
Never used Mothers Foaming wheel and tire. I pick up the Meg's at Walmart for 3.99 when on sale. All I can say is it foams well, tires come out super clean and so do the wheels.

Here is a recent example of an AGO member using Meg's AWT on a detail.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/59042-trashed-crown-vic-revived-autowerx.html
i'll have to check it out sometime, especially at that price, you're using it FS?
Thanks for the nice comparrison test.
Have CG's waiting for springtime cleanup.
What was the screwdriver used for?
to pop out the center caps
thanks for viewing :xyxthumbs:
you'll enjoy it!
Not a Sonax Full Effect fan here either. I find that numerous other wheel cleaners get the job done quicker, and more effective at a better price point. Just my $.02
agree!
I love Sonax but only for very dirty wheels works best for me. I do agree it is kinda pricey. For wheels that aren't very dirty I just use Adam's APC works very well I'm wheels.
I just worry when people use APC on wheels that the apc isn't lubricated enough :dunno:
 
:iagree:
Great write up, I was eyeing diablo and grime reaper from CG for awhile now

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using AG Online
thanks! I see that papasmurf has chimed in now, as I was going to refer you to him as he's a fan of grime reaper, I don't have any experience with it myself lol
You won't regret getting diablo. That stuff is easy to work with and smells great!
Also to spell check this review, this was sticky wheel cleaner, not diablo gel orange lol, I mixed up both of their wheel cleaners
I have used both the
chemical guys sticky wheel cleaner
chemical guys diablo gel wheel cleaner
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...sis-7-chemical-guys-diablo-wheel-cleaner.html
they're both different products, and honestly I'd go with sticky wheel cleaner every time because I didn't notice too much performance difference, and SWC dillutes 1:5 and diablo @ 1:3 granted you can always mix up your own ratios, however I seldom stray from the instructions
opti coat your wheels and then you wont have to worry about a dedicated wheel cleaner!!!:cheers:
I already don't with regular upkeep lol
I do want to coat them come spring
Im a little confused on opti coat... Im guessing it pretty much coats anything on the car?

I thought Ive seen more than one opti coat product.

would u mind providing a link to the exact product your referring to?

Much appreciated.


I think I may go ahead and coat my wheels with it as well as on my plastic body cladding on my outback.

Thanks Im the MAN


Side note. I have SOnax Full effect as my wheel cleaner at the moment.. will be changing as soon as its finished up.. For the Price and awful smell I've been pretty unimpressed with this product.
i felt the same way ^
Thanks for the review SON1C .:xyxthumbs:
thanks Johny B ! :dblthumb2:
 
I've always used Wolf's decon gel/IronX on extremely soiled wheels. I prefer either of those products over Sonax in those conditions.
most who have used both take ironx over sonax every time from what I've read :xyxthumbs: nice input
Dang it! I just got my order of Sonax in. Great review. I will look into the diablo next time.
for the record this was sticky wheel cleaner by chemical guys :D
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...sis-7-chemical-guys-diablo-wheel-cleaner.html
this is my writeup on diablo
here is the link you requested...

Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0 Permanent Paint Coating


OC can be used on most anything, except it is not recommended on glass...so id skip the windshield for sure. others have reported it fine on windows...up to you...if you dont like it, it just needs polished off.

it is also definitely fine on the plastic body panels if they are in good shape...just prep them first...if they are in need of some restoration, id opt for the carpro dlux on the plastic.

use your sonax to prep the wheels prior to OC coating...just make sure you IPA or Eraser them first...you wont need any other wheel cleaner than your regular wash shampoo...
do you find eraser to be as effective as IPA? have you found any other ipa replacements, I believe griots makes a product that could be an IPA replacement at a much cheaper cost than eraser
Im a big fan of the Mothers All Wheel Cleaner and also the Megs All Wheel Cleaner. One thing I like more than both though is CG Grime reaper. It is an AWESWOME APC and kicks butt on wheels and tires. I dilute it between 4-5:1 and get alot of use out of it.
whenever we meet up you'll have to show me what grime reaper can do as I already have a ton of apc+ and allclean+ lol
 
going in on the gallon? lol
 
Thats my plan. I got the small one to see how i liked it and it went way to fast lol. I might pick up a gallon of the Mothers wheel cleaner too. They are both great
 
do you find eraser to be as effective as IPA? have you found any other ipa replacements, I believe griots makes a product that could be an IPA replacement at a much cheaper cost than eraser

yes the griots product works as effective and is less expensive.

i tend to stay away from IPA on paint and reach for one of the eraser type products....unless i polish with OPT products, then they just require a wipe with a damp MF.
 
Good review man. I've never tried the CG Diablo WC so I can't compare between the two. I love Sonax, and when used as directed, I haven't used a better wheel cleaner. Just my opinion of course. But your right, it is so very expensive per use, you have to buy it on sale, usually a 20% and a free shipping block is a must to get it down to acceptable levels, haha.

Sonax 16 oz - $15.99, ridiculous $.95 per ounce! That's roughly 2-3 cars depending on how you apply. So $5-$8 per wash. Insane, and like you said, not needed for most people when there are cheaper options.

I usally go with the following, and only use it on the RS, every other wash. Soap and water usually does it, but Audi's dust bad....

Sonax - 2 5L (338 oz, 20 bottles) $159.99 - $32 (20%) = $127.99. This gets it to $.38 per ounce, and $6.40 a bottle. So roughly $2 - $3 per wash. Still expensive, but, every other wash on a garage queen, it's ok :)

...and what you said is true. When I use Iron X on the wheels, after the Sonax, it always pulls something out that the Sonax didn't get...usualy on the barrell area.:xyxthumbs:

Again, nice review man, and thanks for taking the time:dblthumb2:
 
To all the recent interest in diablo, if you're contemplating trying it or ordering more I recommend this product over diablo every time, diablo only wins in smell, but iirc this smells good

Also to correct this review - I used chemical guys sticky wheel cleaner not diablo, I was confused since cg makes multiple products that do the same thing lol
If a mod can please change the chemical guys orange to Chemical Guys Sticky Wheel Cleaner Review
 
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