Tire cleaner - needed?

budman3

budman3

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I haven't found too many products that clean tires very well. Westley's Bleche White is decent but I've heard that it can turn tires gray after a while. My previous wheel and tire cleaner was Eagle One Wheel and Tire Cleaner. It was also decent... it cleaned the wheels well but the tires could have used some more cleaning. Way back when I used to use Simple Green and that worked but I stopped using it in fear of doing damage to other products. I am currently using Poorboy's APC to clean the tires and it does well. It's dilutable but I'm still looking for something that'll go a long way yet not hurt the bank.

I've heard that Amazing Roll Off does a good job at cleaning tires. However at $25 a gallon, I can get a dedicated tire cleaner that is dilutable up to 1:1 for half the price.

So what are you guys currently using to clean your tires with? Thanks for any help.
 
I am using the Meguiars APC and at 15 bucks for a gallon and diluted about 7 to 1 it will be around for a while before I have to consider buying more.
 
ARO, and sure enough you can watch the brown gunk just roll-off. Still using Westley's on white lettering.
 
the surf city beyond steel wheels cleans the rims and the tires awesome !
 
carnut00 said:
I am using the Meguiars APC and at 15 bucks for a gallon and diluted about 7 to 1 it will be around for a while before I have to consider buying more.
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You know that that is a HIGHLY caustic cleaner right? Megs APC has a PH of 12.2 at a dilution of 9:1. I think you might be causing some damage to those tires there buddy watch out. Im not sure what PH is safe for tires but 12 is way way up there.
 
Back on topic I think it is essential to use a cleaner prior to applying a tire dressing, it looks better and lasts longer. Griots rubber cleaner or 303 aerospace cleaner 30:1. Griots rubber cleaner does a really good job at cleaning the tires, i like it a lot.
 
I use DP Gel Wheel Cleaner as well on both the tires and the wheels, and just scrub the tires with a brush too. Seems to get them clean.
 
Thejoyofdriving said:
You know that that is a HIGHLY caustic cleaner right? Megs APC has a PH of 12.2 at a dilution of 9:1. I think you might be causing some damage to those tires there buddy watch out. Im not sure what PH is safe for tires but 12 is way way up there.
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I did not know that. Thanks for bringing that to my attention, now to find a tire cleaner. :(
 
Thejoyofdriving said:
Back on topic I think it is essential to use a cleaner prior to applying a tire dressing, it looks better and lasts longer. Griots rubber cleaner or 303 aerospace cleaner 30:1. Griots rubber cleaner does a really good job at cleaning the tires, i like it a lot.
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I know that cleaning tires is necessary but my question is whether it is necessary to use a full blown tire cleaner or use an APC type product instead.

I'll have to look into the Duragloss Tire cleaner. There aren't too many products specifically designed for tire cleaning. The one I'm currently looking at is TOLs Tire Cleaner and ARO as an APC or another brand of APC. Who knows, I may dilute the PB APC down a little more so it'll last longer yet still be effective.

Surfer- I vaguely remember someone years ago talking about the Westley's and something detrimental to tires. I've used it quite a bit, and it cleans decently, but the end results weren't spectacular, IMO. But all tires are different and some react well to some products where other tires won't come clean or dress properly.
 
I recently tried ARO and love the stuff! I believe you can dilute it. As Jimmie said, you can see the brown gunk drip off after spraying on ARO.
 
Reddwarf said:
I recently tried ARO and love the stuff! I believe you can dilute it. As Jimmie said, you can see the brown gunk drip off after spraying on ARO.
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:iagree: With Jimmie and Reddwarf ARO is great!
 
I got some eagle one tire and wheel cleaner on clearance. Does anybody know if it is dilutable?
 
Thejoyofdriving said:
You know that that is a HIGHLY caustic cleaner right? Megs APC has a PH of 12.2 at a dilution of 9:1. I think you might be causing some damage to those tires there buddy watch out. Im not sure what PH is safe for tires but 12 is way way up there.
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dp and wolfgang have a ph of 12.5 and they claim it is safe for wheel and tires and I have never had an issue with these items and have been using them for two years now.But thanks for the heads up on the meguiars apc I did not know that it was that strong I was using it 10 to 1 for interior cleaning.
 
I am looking at the little info book you can get free from autogeek about the wolfgang line and it says"The gel wheel cleaner measures at a PH of 12.5(superior cleaning muscle)but without severe chemicals,it's as gentle as water." I called and ask about the DP and was told it was the same(That was close to two years ago)but if you want this little wolfgang book I can mail it to you.
 
Pauly6401 said:
I use DP Gel Wheel Cleaner as well on both the tires and the wheels, and just scrub the tires with a brush too. Seems to get them clean.
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One time I sprayed DP wheel gel cleaner on the tires. The tires were dry. I just saw brown gunk seeping down. It seems like it does a great job in cleaning the tires and getting old dressing off. I just wipe it off with my black shmitt. Since it's rough, it does well in scrubbing the tires.
 
02CAMSS said:
I am looking at the little info book you can get free from autogeek about the wolfgang line and it says"The gel wheel cleaner measures at a PH of 12.5(superior cleaning muscle)but without severe chemicals,it's as gentle as water." I called and ask about the DP and was told it was the same(That was close to two years ago)but if you want this little wolfgang book I can mail it to you.
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Hmm 12.5 is basic (opposite of acid) but basic solutions can burn skin as well in a different way than acid. Water pH is 7.
 
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