Wheel cleaner Vs. Degreaser

C

cobraa

New member
Mar 6, 2009
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In order to save me 1 bottle. Can i just buy a degreaser and use it as a wheel cleaner when I see really bad wheel??

Thanks for the input
 
Honestly I don't know as far as using a dedicated degreaser for wheels, but I recently got Megs APC+ and use it as a wheel cleaner. Been trying diff dilution ratios from 4/1 to 10/1. Either way I like it better than the OTC Eagle 1 wheel cleaner I used to use (before I found AG).
 
Don't buy a dedicated degreaser. That is for cleaning greasy engine parts and for under-carriages and such.

As A41.8T stated, Meguiar's APC+ can be used to clean wheels, but it may not be safe on all wheels. Whatever APC you decide to go with, make sure that it's approved for cleaning wheels and that it's safe for all wheels.
 
I have used a degreaser in a pinch , but I believe (no scientist) that wheel cleaners are specifically designed for brake dust and other contaminents and likely the best choice when possible. I do however use car soap/water weekly and wheel cleaner once monthly only properly cleaned and sealed wheels. Both wheel cleaner and APC will remove the sealant on first use however so reapplication would be needed.
 
On my wheel, I have no problem using car soap and water because I seal them with PB each 3 weeks. My problem is when I do a customer's car and I don't want to wast time polishing the whole wheel to remove the brake dust.
 
+1 for "don't". There have been cases of members staining uncoated aluminum wheels with an OTC degreaser.
 
I heard that Varsol is better than degreaser because it wont corrode metal and it's like 50% cheaper than any degreaser.

Feedback?
 
Jimmie said:
+1 for "don't". There have been cases of members staining uncoated aluminum wheels with an OTC degreaser.
Click to expand...

I have indeed seen damaged and etched uncoated wheels where owners used acid based wheel cleaner or Simple Green. I stay away from both ....
 
killrwheels@autogeek said:
I have indeed seen damaged and etched uncoated wheels where owners used acid based wheel cleaner or Simple Green. I stay away from both ....
Click to expand...

Aluminum is highly reactive to strong acids so if you use acid type cleaners be sure to dilute it to the recommended ratios and complete one wheel at a time. In the self serve car wash industry the wheel cleaner and the degreaser are USUALLY the same product just diluted to different ratios.

Derrick
 
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