Up Close & Personal: SONAX Wheel Cleaner PLUS *NEW*

Nick McKees37

McKee's 37 Product Support
Joined
Jan 6, 2011
Messages
7,265
Reaction score
0


SONAX, a German manufacturer of premium car care products, doesn't release new products often (at least not in the US market!), but when they do the industry pays attention. An analogy for my fellow auto enthusiasts would be Ferrari with the F40, F50, Enzo, and LaFerrari. ;)

Now that I have your attention - introducing SONAX Wheel Cleaner Plus.



What is it?

SONAX Wheel Cleaner PLUS is a supercharged version of the award winning SONAX Wheel Cleaner Full Effect. SONAX Wheel Cleaner PLUS is 30% stronger than its stable mate, making it the obvious choice for really dirty wheels. Like its counterpart, SONAX Wheel Cleaner PLUS turns red as it cleans! SONAX Wheel Cleaner PLUS is acid-free and safe on all wheel finishes.

Why should you care?

SONAX Wheel Cleaner Plus is perfect for the enthusiast that normally dreads cleaning their wheels. Why? Because it makes what used to be a laborious task quick and easy! SONAX Wheel Cleaner Plus removes brake dust and road grime faster than conventional wheel cleaners. If you like SONAX Wheel Cleaner Full Effect, then you'll love SONAX Wheel Cleaner Plus.

SONAX Wheel Cleaner PLUS in action

My wife's Accord (Oh geeze, how cool does it sound to say that? I just got married less than 2 weeks ago and have yet to make that reference involving a car) had not been washed in about a month. Between family visiting, assisting Mike with his Detailing Boot Camp, getting everything ready for the wedding, etc etc etc - I simply didn't have time to wash her car (plenty of time to wash mine, though :) ).

Last Sunday was the first normal Sunday in about a month, so I gave the Accord a little TLC. I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to put SONAX Wheel Cleaner PLUS to the test.

sonax%20wheel%20cleaner%20plus%201.JPG


sonax%20wheel%20cleaner%20plus%202=2.JPG



How to use SONAX Wheel Cleaner Plus

Application of SONAX Wheel Cleaner PLUS mirrors that of most wheel cleaners, with the biggest factor making sure the surface is cool to the touch. I sprayed an ample amount of cleaner directly onto the surface and allowed it to dwell for about 3 minutes before agitating with my brushes of choice.

SONAX Wheel Cleaner PLUS went to work immediately, changing color to red as it dissolved ferrous (iron containing) brake dust particles.

sonax%20wheel%20cleaner%20plus%203-2.JPG


sonax%20wheel%20cleaner%20plus%204-1.JPG


Speed Master Wheel Brush

The Speed Master Wheel Brush is a must-have tool for proper wheel cleaning. Its long handle, reinforced flexible stem, and patented bristles make it possible to clean where no other brush is able to. Clean behind spokes, in between the brake caliper and the wheel barrel, and more!

sonax%20wheel%20cleaner%20plus%206.JPG



Wheel Woolies Boar’s Hair Wheel Brush

The Wheel Woolies Boar’s Hair Wheel Brush is a specially designed short-handle wheel brush that is designed to gently clean delicate wheel finishes. Featuring all-natural feathered boar’s hair bristles, the Wheel Woolies Boar’s Hair Wheel Brush removes dirt, grime and brake dust from intricate wheel designs. Use the Wheel Woolies Boar’s Hair Wheel Brush to safely clean clear coated, anodized, polished, aluminum, painted, powder coated and chrome wheels.

sonax%20wheel%20cleaner%20plus%207.JPG



Don't forget about the tires!

I cleaned the tires using BLACKFIRE All-In-One All Purpose Cleaner and a Short Handle Tire Brush. You can see how dirty the tires were after a month of driving around.

BLACKFIRE All-In-One All Purpose Cleaner can be used to clean virtually any vehicle surface (including leather), and it has long been one of my favorite tire cleaners.

sonax%20wheel%20cleaner%20plus%208.JPG



Rinse!

You always want to make sure you thoroughly rinse a wheel after using a cleaner. This ensures no residue remains. After I rinsed the wheels, I dried them with a soft microfiber towel.

sonax%20wheel%20cleaner%20plus%209.JPG



Summary

SONAX Wheel Cleaner Plus worked exactly as advertised, requiring less agitation than SONAX Wheel Cleaner Full Effect. This is due in part to its formula which is 30% stronger, making it that much easier to clean your wheels.

The tires were dressed with BLACKFIRE Total Eclipse Tire Gel. It looks great on the Accord's Goodyear rubber, and it generally lasts a couple weeks (no sling either!). I found the best way to apply it is THICK, then allowing the gel a few minutes to soak into the tire, and then wiping off any excess with a microfiber towel. I call this the Nick Rutter method, and it works great.

sonax%20wheel%20cleaner%20plus%2010.JPG


sonax%20wheel%20cleaner%20plus%2011.JPG



On Autogeek.net

SONAX Wheel Cleaner Plus

BLACKFIRE All-In-One All Purpose Cleaner

BLACKFIRE Total Eclipse Tire Gel

Speed Master Wheel Brush

Wheel Woolies Boar’s Hair Wheel Brush

Short Handle Tire/Wheel Brush
 
Nick what are the chances of getting a sample of this in the order i just placed about an hour ago. i have the original, and wouldn't mind giving this a try.
 
Well Nick I have had the chance to play with this and man do I love it!
 
Great stuff Nick. Congrats on "getting hitched" :xyxthumbs:
 
Looks really good. I know u said it's acid free but is it ph balanced as well?
 
You got married to the girl who gives nice watches???? good call! :) and congrats!
 
Nick, congrats to you and the little lady. I wish you both all the best. ;)
 
Nick what are the chances of getting a sample of this in the order i just placed about an hour ago. i have the original, and wouldn't mind giving this a try.

Sorry fellas - no samples available at this time. We have plenty of full-size bottles though! :)

Congrats on just getting hitched, I think. Heh, heh...

Great stuff Nick. Congrats on "getting hitched" :xyxthumbs:

Nick, congrats to you and the little lady. I wish you both all the best. ;)

Thanks guys. ;)

You got married to the girl who gives nice watches???? good call! :) and congrats!

Watches...rings...shoes...bacon...she spoils me. :dblthumb2:

Looks really good. I know u said it's acid free but is it ph balanced as well?

From my understanding it is!

Well Nick I have had the chance to play with this and man do I love it!

Thanks for the input Evan! :props:
 
Outstanding review Nick! I saw this and had to open it and low and behold you have a picture of the new M3 with Ceramic brakes. I'm in love.

Man those Accord wheels look great!

Will there be a larger refill size available?

BTW, Congrats on the Marriage.
 
Will the new wheel cleaner soon be available in bulk? $21 a bottle is way to pricey for those who do production detailing!
 
First of all, congrats Nick on your marriage. I've only been married 3 years but one thing I've learned is if you keep your wife's car clean (wash every week) it helps on keeping the wife happy. Well at least for me anyway. It makes her turn the other cheek when I place my detailing supplies orders.

I won't repeat the other questions already asked but I did have a question on BF APC. What is the dilution ratio used for cleaning tires?
 
Great review as always and congratulations on getting married. Remember the saying to live by: HAPPY WIFE, HAPPY LIFE.
 
Nick a superb review as usual, but ......
Congratulations on your marriage and I wish you the best!
 
Hi Nick...

Congratulations on your recent nuptials.
Really glad for you...Best life there is!!

As to Sonax Wheel Cleaner Plus:
-Thanks for your review
-From this recent thread:http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/79932-sonax-vs-iron-x.html

I wonder if IronX's active ingredient is
more concentrated than:

SONAX's latest formulation...their: Wheel Cleaner Plus.
PLUS is 30% stronger, and works faster than FE.

PLUS is:
-acid-free
-pH balanced
-goes on clear...turns red (of course)
-safe for use on all wheel types
-will not damage or corrode wheel bolts.
This iron dissolving discussion...especially at this time of year, when warm weather approaches...reminded me:

Q: What's a Chemist's favorite ride at the fair?










(A: The ferrous wheel.)




Bob
 
Does it smell any different, i.e. better? LOL Any improvement in that category would be a good thing!

I just gave a bottle of the original to a neighbor to try out. He has a 535 and a G37 with some wheels that needed a little love. He was as surprised with the outcome as I thought he would be.

Will definitely have to try this!

BTW, congrats Nick and best of luck!
 
Will this be obsoleting the Sonax Full Effect, or will they be sold side-by-side?
 
Back
Top