Sonax Full Effect vs Meguiars Non-Acid Tire/Wheel Cleaner

T

The Critic

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Hey crew,

I am looking for a safer all-purpose wheel cleaner. I have been using Meguiars D140 Wheel Brightener, but have found that it tends to further deteriorate any wheel finish that is already pitted.

Sonax Full Effect is the first cleaner that came to my attention, but it is about 4x the price of Meguiars D143. Meguiars D143 is the brand’s non-acid tire/wheel cleaner.

Can anyone comment on the effectiveness of either one?

Thanks.
 
Sonax is great, works very well on dirty wheels. I also have uber which is not as strong.

Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk 2
 
D143 is nice. I use it myself. Just be sure to follow the directions. I believe it is not safe for aluminum, powedercoated wheels. I can't remember what else off the top of my head. But for clear coated wheels it is safe. I have it diluted at 3:1 and it still works good.
 
The Guz said:
D143 is nice. I use it myself. Just be sure to follow the directions. I believe it is not safe for aluminum, powedercoated wheels. I can't remember what else off the top of my head. But for clear coated wheels it is safe. I have it diluted at 3:1 and it still works good.
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Interesting. In that case, it really isn't any safer than D140...since D140 has the same advisory.
 
12 minutes...is that a record for a FUNX725 Megs Wheel Brightener response and link to MSDS?
 
If the wheels aren't too dirty, I'm finding CG's Citrus Red to work well diluted about 1:16. If they are trashed, I'd go with 1Z Color Tec over Sonax.
 
allenk4 said:
12 minutes...is that a record for a FUNX725 Megs Wheel Brightener response and link to MSDS?
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Dang It!!
You almost beat your old record of posting,
when I: "D140-respond". :laughing:

So now:
When it comes to almost everyone's Health & Safety...
I believe: Honesty beats sugar-coated bu!!sh*t anytime.

Bob
 
Have you looked at cg sticky gel wheel cleaner?


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P21S/S100 Wheel Cleaners...
Safe for/on any wheel "type" that's ever been made!!

Bob
 
FUNX725 said:
Dang It!!
You almost beat your old record of posting,
when I: "D140-respond". :laughing:

So now:
When it comes to almost everyone's Health & Safety...
I believe: Honesty beats sugar-coated bu!!sh*t anytime.

Bob
Click to expand...

I agree....just poking the MWB Bear.
 
When using most any chemical cleaner, you should wear gloves, and be careful not to drink it or bath in it or get it into your eyes.
 
Bunky said:
When using most any chemical cleaner, you should wear gloves, and be careful not to drink it or bath in it or get it into your eyes.
Click to expand...

Exactly. The proper PPE should always be used.
 
Sonax Full Effect is an over-hyped, fowl-smelling gimmick. If it didn't turn colors, would it be as popular?
 
Just ordered a bottle of brown royal. Pretty cheap and seems to work great from what I've seen.
 
This is comparing apples to oranges...

Full effect removes embedded ferrous particles from the surface, similar to Iron X...D143 is a non acid wheel cleaner that cannot be used on untreated aluminum and powder coated wheels

However..... Meguiar's makes the Dub Line - Wheel cleaner which does the same thing as Full Effect but is $8.99 for 22oz and is more widely available at places such as wally world and advance auto parts.

It is very effective for what it does. They have somewhat masked the horrid smell of sulfur like fumes [id say about 60% masked]with a Pina Colada type scent...
 
Brown Royal is my choice too. Great product. If I am sure of the wheel surface then I go with WB. For my aluminum wheels on my Firebird I usually use the Meguiars Hot Rims for Alum that is OTC.
 
Honestly, go with both.

SONAX FE is NOT a maintenance wheel cleaner. If you wash your car every week or two, you'll probably only have to use it a few times throughout the year. The Meg's tire/wheel cleaner you mentioned is a maintenance cleaner. It does a fantastic job of removing brake dust that hasn't been baked on to the wheel, and it does a really good job of cleaning the tires as well.

Personally, I would order both (I actual do own both). The FE only gets used prior to me removing the wheels (I have two sets of wheels, one for summer and one for winter). Other than that, I use the Meg's diluted 1:1 and it works flawlessly.

Something you should really consider is getting a coating for your wheels. It really helps with allowing the brake dust to release a lot easier, and also makes cleaning a breeze. If you only have one set of wheels, I'd recommend Opti-Coat. It's a "permanent" coating that will make it much easier to clean your wheels. If you own two sets of wheels, then you could go with something like the DP or PBL wheel coating, and just apply it everytime the wheels come off the car to be cleaned.

Last year, when I pulled my summer wheels off my car, I used SONAX FE, CarPro TarX, and DP Wheel coating to ensure that the wheels were clean and protected. Using them this summer, it's crazy how easily everything comes off of them. I really can't recommend it enough.

Your other option would be to replace your brake pads with ceramics, as they don't damage the wheel the way typical brake pads do.
 
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