What is the most cost effective wheel cleaner
- Thread starter Coopers ST
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Audios S6
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- Oct 12, 2011
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For color changing, I agree completely. What I meant was, DUB can't compete with wheel acid as 'most cost effective' like the OP wants.
Matt@Revive
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- Jul 27, 2014
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Meguiar's mirror bright wheels cleaner seems to be a cost affective product. i was in a pinch once and had to grab a wheel cleaner at the store. Meguiar's was half the cost of the Griot's product for the same size, and it worked fairly well.
When is it safe to use a 'acid based' cleaner on wheels? I always worry about doing damage and don't know the 'rules' to using it. I know how effective they can be...but I am scared to use it because well...it's acid lol.
asianisafish
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- Jun 11, 2015
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Pretty much all factory wheels are safe to be used with acid based wheel cleaners like megs wheel brightener.
Painted wheels, such as colored wheels, or wheels with clear coat are safe.
For the polished bare aluminum wheels, you'll be fine for the most poart. If anything, you'll just have to go over the wheel with some metal polish, nothing to crazy, it'll just look like slight oxidation which bare aluminum will go through regardless the wheel cleaner
Coopers ST
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- Nov 23, 2013
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- #26
Thank you everyone for all the info. I have lots to think about
AGOatemywallet
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- Jun 13, 2015
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I will generally agree, but with one BIG exception...the surface must be in good condition.
If the clear coat, powder coat, etc. Is compromised; acidic wheel cleaners can be big trouble.
The best advice is NEVER let any product dry on your wheels.
Rinse thoroughly with running water. Pay special attention to the area around the lug nuts. I do not believe MWB is safe to use with a Rinseless or Waterless wash technique.
After getting runs on a set of wheels, using Megs WB...I now spray the wheel starting at the bottom and work my way up. This tactic eliminates any chance of runs.
Coopers ST
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- Nov 23, 2013
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- #28
I agree with letting products dry on them. I live near Adams HQ, last spring I went to a detail clinic there and Adam used my car as a demo for wheels and engine bay. When it came to wheels he sprayed them down with water, then sprayed the wheel cleaner. He said it didn't hurt the product any and gave you more work time before it dried. He still used wheel woolies and a turbo stick to agitate, then rinsed.
asianisafish
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- Jun 11, 2015
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Yes you ate right about being careful on compromised paint surfaces. If the wheel is painted however which way and there is a curb rash or a chip and the bare aluminum is exposed. The aluminum will oxidize and slowly the paint will being to bubble and peel and become hazy underneath. Having an acid based wheel cleaner touch that area will have a chance to accelerate the process but nothing that it won't have done on its own