Wheel Cleaning: Experimenting w/different techniques & products

Nick McKees37

McKee's 37 Product Support
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The Sonax Full Effect Wheel cleaning thread really took off and I got quite a bit of feedback from you guys about different techniques/products I should put to the test. Well at Autogeek we like to deliver!

Once again I borrowed Meghan for a little while, loaded up on supplies, and finished cleaning the wheels on Yancy's car. A couple of you had some great suggestions and ideas on what to do with the remaining wheels that had yet to be cleaned.

Here is how we broke it down...

-Cleaned one wheel solely using car wash solution.

-Cleaned one wheel using two different products on the same wheel. We decided to change it up a little bit and apply Griots Garage Wheel Cleaner on one side of the wheel and do the other side with DP Wheel Cleaner to see how they compare.

Products Used...

-Daytona Speed Master Wheel Brush
-Daytona Speed Master Wheel Brush Jr.
-Pinnacle Half Gallon Foam Master Foam Gun
-Griots Garage Wheel Cleaner
-Griots Garage Car Wash
-DP Wheel Cleaner
-All Purpose Black Microfiber Tire and Wheel Towel
-Black Nitrile Gloves

Several of you requested that we clean one of the wheels just using soap and no dedicated wheel cleaner, so we'll start with that first.

I've been also dying to try out a Foam Master Foam Gun and I figured today would be the perfect opportunity to do so.

As you can see, the wheel we cleaned using just soap and no dedicated wheel cleaner wasn't nearly as bed as the front wheel we cleaned a few days ago using Sonax.

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Now it was time to get the Foam Cannon set up...


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Sprayed the wheel with the Foam Master to get it started and let the soap dwell on there for a couple minutes.


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Now it's time to start scrubbing! I figured I would give this wheel a shot using the Daytona Speed Master Jr. This thing is great for getting in tight spaces like behind brake calipers.


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Time to rinse clean and inspect our results!


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As you can see, it didn't get the wheel completely clean. Now I could have probably sat there for another 20 minutes scrubbing away and hoping to get the wheel spotless, but a dedicated wheel cleaner makes things so much easier and less time consuming. This is crucial to professional detailers who need to utilize every minute they have on the job.


Now it was time to compare DP's Wheel Cleaner to Griots Garage Wheel Cleaner, the latter of which I hadn't used yet. I've used the DP in the past with great results but I have been wanting to try out the Griots because it's very cost effective and gets great reviews.

Check out the wheel before...


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I sprayed the left side of the wheel with DP Wheel Cleaner and the right side of the wheel with Griots Garage Wheel Cleaner. From my observations, the DP appeared to cling to the wheel better with less run off. I think this gives the DP a slight advantage because it leaves more time for the wheel cleaner to start breaking down stubborn brake dust.


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Just to be on the safe side, I used the Foam Master gun to first soak the Daytona Speed Master Wheel Brush while I let the two cleaners dwell for a minute or two.


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Time to start scrubbin'!


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Here is a tip with the Daytona Brush: As you are cleaning and are about to pull the brush out of a tight space, slowly twist it as you pull to minimize sling and splatter.

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Look at all that nasty brake dust!


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Time to rinse clean!


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Both worked very well, but I would still give a slight advantage to the Sonax overall in terms of cleaning ability. I didn't notice much of a difference between the DP and the Griots though. Unlike the Sonax, neither the DP or the Griots had ANY nasty chemical smell so this might be considered a slight advantage for those of you that can't stand the smell of the Sonax.


After:


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Overall I think this was a great idea. Not only did it give me the chance to test out some products that I hadn't tried out yet, but it also gave you guys an idea of how a dedicated wheel cleaner is worth it for neglected and/or hard to clean wheels.
 
Wow. Nice review!

I'm impressed with such a quick and thorough response thread to the requests of forum members.

Thanks again Nick!
 
Great work Nick and Meghan....:props:

Nick cleaning and Meghan's the photographer? :laughing:

I like the DP Wheel Cleaner. It works very well, it's easy to use and is economical. I still have to say I'm intrigued by the SONAX product so I guess I'll have to order some! :props:

You can't have too much! :laughing:
 
How about doing a wheel with the DP Wheel Cleaner and Wolfgang Tire & Wheel cleaner? I've been using Wolfgang thus far but have been thinking of switching over to DP and would like to know how they compare.
 
Super job Nick and Meghan, I like my Griots wheel cleaner alot. Good tip on the brush, you will taste it if you remove to fast.
 
Another great review! They keeping you busy Nick? lol

This makes me tempted to buy stuff..................
 
I'm not sure if AG sells the foaming sprayer head for Griot's products, but I'd imagine that it would add to the "dwell" time for any of these products, as it should, in theory, make the product less prone to initial running. It's a product I have my eye on to test with the GG Wheel Cleaner.
 
Thanks for taking time to do this Nick and Meghan!!! I think this review will really help people pick the right wheel cleaner best suited for their needs! Not only that but your review will show people the proper techniques on how to clean the wheels of your car!

Your lucky you get to have fun on your job!!! :D
 
i'd put money on Megs APC with a foaming nozzle against any "wheel cleaner" .... any takers? :D
 
Did you finish cleaning all the wheels? If not, I'd like to see the last wheel cleaned with Meguiar's Wheel Brightener and see how it compares to the Sonax. I've used WB on some pretty nasty wheels with quite impressive results. If cleaning ability is similar, then there is definitely enough of a cost advantage (and quite possibly a smell advantage) to warrant purchasing the WB over Sonax, especially if you do a lot of volume work, more so than if you are just a hobbyist.
 
Did you finish cleaning all the wheels? If not, I'd like to see the last wheel cleaned with Meguiar's Wheel Brightener and see how it compares to the Sonax. I've used WB on some pretty nasty wheels with quite impressive results. If cleaning ability is similar, then there is definitely enough of a cost advantage (and quite possibly a smell advantage) to warrant purchasing the WB over Sonax, especially if you do a lot of volume work, more so than if you are just a hobbyist.

Apart from a safety advantage for the Sonax, in both wheel surface safety and personal safety (the acid used in WB does nasty things to you over time)
 
Since I started using Amazing Roll Off I haven't found a need to search for another wheel cleaner. Not as cheap as Meg's (which I haven't tried) but cheaper than most of the others. I guess I have found a product I like and I am using it often:)

I have also used Poorboy's Spray & Rinse Wheel Cleaner, that is some strong stuff!!! Slight chemical smell and doesn't like hot surfaces.
 
i'd put money on Megs APC with a foaming nozzle against any "wheel cleaner" .... any takers? :D

you will reek HAVOC on some unfinished wheels with megs APC (or any non PH APC or wheel cleaner) or Wheel brightener.

I know from experience.
 
I think you could have gotten the wheel that was cleaned with soap and water much cleaner.

Looks like a lot of stand out spots were missed.
 
Hey Nick, nice job, gald to see they are putting you to work! Stopped by Saturday to pick up my order and saw some cleaning supplies outside the bay, guessing that was you doing this cleaning? Too bad I missed you, but either way, very nice review.
 
Hey Nick, nice job, gald to see they are putting you to work! Stopped by Saturday to pick up my order and saw some cleaning supplies outside the bay, guessing that was you doing this cleaning? Too bad I missed you, but either way, very nice review.

Hey thanks Scott! Yup, that sure was me. I was getting hands on experience with a few more products and tools which I'm sure you will hear about shortly. :buffing:
 
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