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

[FUNX650]

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'll admit that's one way to get, and keep,
a set of wheels clean. Helps being able to
have a seasonal rotation set-up, as well.

You're saying it's already Summer where you live?

Bob

 

[parttimer]

Bob, he clearly doesn't live near us!!

 

[allenk4]

Sonax Full Effect is an over-hyped, fowl-smelling gimmick. If it didn't turn colors, would it be as popular?

You are probably right, it would not be as popular if it didn't change colors

But, if you believe the product is a gimmick...why don't they just make it smell better?
Certainly if there was a color-changing wheel cleaner that had a pleasant smell; it would outsell everything.


When you run into some trashed BMW wheels...try it again...you will change your mind

 

[allenk4]

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...

I thought it was D140 Meguiar's Wheel Brightener that is not suggested for bare aluminum and D143 was OK for aluminum?


I can't find anything on the Meguiar's website that indicates that D140 or D143 should not be used on anodized aluminum wheels....so that's good insight and makes sense.

 

[ijm5012]

I'll admit that's one way to get, and keep,
a set of wheels clean. Helps being able to
have a seasonal rotation set-up, as well.

You're saying it's already Summer where you live?

Bob

Bob, not yet, but the summer wheels are on the car, and I've had it out a few times this year when the weather has cooperated. Positive thoughts man!

 

[FUNX650]

I thought it was D140 Meguiar's Wheel Brightener that is not suggested for bare aluminum and D143 was OK for aluminum?

From this earlier post...
Note: It doesn't list that D143 is safe and effective for/on
bare aluminum wheels.

Meguiar's Non-Acid Wheel Cleaner is safe and effective on:

•Clear coated wheels

•Factory painted wheels

•Chrome wheels


Meguiars Non-Acid Wheel and Tire Cleaner D-14301

And D143 is stated to react with aluminum and zinc...
with hydrogen gas being released.
(React, in this scenario, means "eats away at".)

Also:
I realize the overall chemical make-up of D143
lends itself to D143 being named/labeled as a:
non-acid wheel & tire cleaner...

But why would alkaline (base/basic) neutralizers
be recommended for spills involving D143?

Bob

 

[EvolutionDetail]

Sonax is crap IMO, it does work but it is not the best in the market.
D143 is freaking awesome when used on SAFE wheels. I have tried MANY different tire cleaner / APC / Degreaser, nothing cleans the wheel better than D143, IN TERMS OF AFFORDABLE PRICE WISE. The instant u spray it on the tire starts to drip brown.

It is a good cleaner, as long as your wheels are safe for it.
I used it on a set of wheels that is plasti dipped, on my personal tacoma baja beadlock wheels, subaru cross trek, all no problem.

Idk about brands like Rays , Vossen the high end stuff. That someone else need to figure out for me lol

 

[allenk4]

From this earlier post...
Note: It doesn't list that D143 is safe and effective for/on
bare aluminum wheels.

And D143 is stated to react with aluminum and zinc...
with hydrogen gas being released.
(React, in this scenario, means "eats away at".)

Also:
I realize the overall chemical make-up of D143
lends itself to D143 being named/labeled as a:
non-acid wheel & tire cleaner...

But why would alkaline (base/basic) neutralizers
be recommended for spills involving D143?

Bob

I wonder why Meguiar's specifically indicates NOT to use D140 on aluminum, but does not make a similar recommendation for D143?

 

[FUNX650]

I wonder why Meguiar's specifically indicates NOT to use D140 on aluminum, but does not make a similar recommendation for D143?

It seems, to me, that:
Meguiar's isn't the only wheel-cleaner(s) manufacturer (or reseller/supplier/etc., as the case may be) that lists---on their products labels or product descriptions---what types of wheels their wheel-cleaner(s) are "safe and effective" for/on...
Without listing what types of wheels they are not "safe and effective" for/on.

Then, IMHO:
-Instead of always having to refer to a wheel cleaning product's MSDS and trying to decipher any cautions contained therein...

-A little bit of housecleaning on the part of these, (by any other name): Wheel-cleaners' Manufacturers...would go a long way towards cleaning-up this matter.

Bob

 

[tpr1634]

If you want a big gun, try malco brake off potent stuff. Not for maintaince cleaning. Just wear your ppe.

 

[builthatch]

Opti-Coat and Power Clean. haven't found a better combo to maintain wheel finish integrity whilst being super easy to clean.

plus Power Clean is so versatile (in terms of dilutions and such), safe and cheap.

 

[Chrono]

You are probably right, it would not be as popular if it didn't change colors

But, if you believe the product is a gimmick...why don't they just make it smell better?
Certainly if there was a color-changing wheel cleaner that had a pleasant smell; it would outsell everything.


When you run into some trashed BMW wheels...try it again...you will change your mind

To your point, allenk4, if the Sonax cleans a really jacked up wheel better than Brand X, then I take back my "gimmick" remark. The 16 wheels that I regularly clean get sparkling with $2.99 Eagle 1, or just car soap.

 

[SYMAWD]

To your point, allenk4, if the Sonax cleans a really jacked up wheel better than Brand X, then I take back my "gimmick" remark. The 16 wheels that I regularly clean get sparkling with $2.99 Eagle 1, or just car soap.

Here is the difference.
Start with this:

Cleaned with Pinnacle Clearcoat Safe Wheel Cleaner:

Sprayed with a Sonax like product. The color change isn't a gimmick. It is a reaction to the embedded iron particles that normal cleaners like Eagle 1 will not be able to remove.

And the iron particles gone:

 

[Chrono]

Fun with ionic liquids. Ammonia, sulfur, acetate. Yummy.
I never said it didn't clean wheels. IronX does too.

Your pics would make a great review

 

[FUNX650]

Fun with ionic liquids.

And such a wide array of cations and anions for creating:
FUN "Designer Solvents"!!

Bob

 

[SYMAWD]

Fun with ionic liquids. Ammonia, sulfur, acetate. Yummy.
I never said it didn't clean wheels. IronX does too.

Your pics would make a great review

Actually, they did make a review: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...5-pinnacle-clear-coat-safe-wheel-cleaner.html

You wanted to know why Sonax was better than car soap or Eagle 1. It's better because it removes embedded particles which normal wheel cleaners cannot. If you maintain your wheels though, you might only need Sonax, IronX, or any other variant once or twice a year.

 

[Joseph Rogers]

Reading through this, you guys are using a lot of acronyms. What's the purpose of a non-acid wheel cleaner?

 

[Chrono]

Reading through this, you guys are using a lot of acronyms. What's the purpose of a non-acid wheel cleaner?

Mostly, it will not etch your wheels. In some case, such as exposed polished metal with no clear coat, it's a must to use gentle cleaners and more elbow. On any wheel, as small amounts of product are left in the corners of spokes, you'll get etching with acidic cleaners. Rinse rinse rinse.

 

[allenk4]

Mostly, it will not etch your wheels. In some case, such as exposed polished metal with no clear coat, it's a must to use gentle cleaners and more elbow. On any wheel, as small amounts of product are left in the corners of spokes, you'll get etching with acidic cleaners. Rinse rinse rinse.

That's a pretty sweeping generalization.

The Meguiar's Non-Acid Wheel Cleaner uses higher alkalinity to clean wheels that do not respond well to higher acid wheel cleaners.

It is not necessarily more "gentle" than an acid cleaner.

There are ph neutral wheel cleaners such as Sonax Full Effect, that rely on a combination of detergents and secret chemicals.

 

[Chrono]

Perhaps a generalization, yes, but not sweeping. Most of the public is going to read into the non-acid claim as a notion of safety to both the wheels and yourself.
Acid etches. Etching is bad for most wheels. Unless it's good, such as old style exposed porous metal wheels. Eagle One makes a cleaner specifically to etch these wheels.